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Australia coach Les Kiss wasn’t surprised to see another standout display from Fraser McReight, who topped the tackle count and scored a try as the Wallabies claimed their first-ever series win in Argentina.
McReight got on the scoresheet and was awarded Player of the Match honours after the six-point win in Jujuy, and the openside flanker was again prolific as the Wallabies were held to a 28-all draw on Saturday.
Wallabies captain Harry Wilson was the only other player who reached 20-plus tackles on the night, but it was McReight who led the way with 26. The backrower also powered over for a five-pointer at a pivotal stage, just six minutes into the second half.
Kiss spent multiple Super Rugby Pacific seasons at the Queensland Reds with McReight, who captained the side during the 2026 campaign. The coach was full of praise for all three starting loose forwards, but made sure to highlight the “tenacity” of McReight.
“I don’t think they surprise me,” Kiss told reporters.
“It was a game that was necessary. I think our backrow between them were all in high double-digit tackles and high impacts. Really good north carries down in the A-zone and putting pressure on the opposition. I thought our backrow really stood up in that area for sure.
“But Fraser’s tenacity in terms of staying at the battle is impressive, absolutely, and he was impressive again tonight.”
McReight gave Australia the lead back early in the second half, after the teams had gone into the sheds level at 14-all. Wilson and Max Jorgensen touched down for five points each in the first half, but it was a match ultimately defined by defence.
Los Pumas dominated the possession battle with 63 per cent across the match, and just shy of 80 per cent in the final 10 minutes. The Wallabies had to make 233 tackles, with McReight leading the charge on that front.
Argentina conceded two yellow cards deep in the piece, but did well to hang on for the draw, before booting the ball into touch. The hosts tried to run it out from inside their own 22 but a wall of golden jerseys stood tall time and time again.
“Securing that trophy is definitely one of the things that we came here to do, without a doubt. Talking to the lads, very pleased that that part of the equation was on point,” Kiss said.
“We probably took control of patches of that game and put ourselves in a good position to win it but as it is over here, it’s tough. The boys are a little bit disappointed that they just didn’t go on with it for sure.
“Mixed feelings in a way but there is something that we did come here to achieve and we got that… the rugby bit is trying to get some areas of our game a little bit better and a bit more robust and we’ve got things to work on for sure.”