Les Kiss reflects on Wallabies’ ‘character’ as winning run continues

Australia have extended their unbeaten streak under new coach Les Kiss, who has praised the Wallabies’ calmness and ability to repel pressure after a hard-fought 27-21 win over Los Pumas at Estadio 23 de Agosto.

The Wallabies have strung four consecutive wins together in the same calendar year for the first time since 2021, having also beaten Italy in the Nations Championship and triumphed against Japan in two Flight Centre Series fixtures.

It’s also the first time the Wallabies have returned to Argentina since an emphatic 67-27 defeat to Los Pumas on September 7, 2024. Argentina is considered one of the toughest places for Test teams to visit, but the Aussies got the job done with a clinical performance.

Brandon Paenga-Amosa and Carter Gordon touched down for early tries, but it was the team’s defensive stand in the last 20 which got them home. Tom Hooper scored what ended up being the final points with 20 to play, as the Aussies held on for a six point win.

“It’s not just this team or different combinations that have done that at different times throughout the three Test matches so far,” Kiss told reporters post-game.

“Really buying into what it takes when we haven’t got the ball to dig in and make sure that we can repel the opposition. We weren’t perfect for sure, but we really fight hard for each other and fight hard for staying in the game under the best terms that we can.

“They’re a dangerous side. At times, they put us under pressure, we had to find connection, we had to find a way to make sure we could absorb it but still stay in the right mindset.

“Talking to [Allan Alaalatoa] and Fraser [McReight] afterwards… there was a certain strong calmness. We didn’t let the pressure get on top of us and weigh us down.

“Being able to stay in front of those things and in front of those little errors in that game that offered them opportunities, I think is testament to the boys’ character for sure.”

The Wallabies started the 2026 Nations Championship with an agonising 31-33 defeat to Ireland in Sydney, before falling to France the following weekend in Brisbane. But the Aussies have since gone unbeaten, while going through a coaching transition period.

Joe Schmidt’s final game in charge was a dominant result against Italy in Perth, which brought an end to the July Nations Championship fixtures. Kiss then took over, kicking things off in a 35-32 thriller against the Brave Blossoms in Osaka.

The Wallabies then returned to Australia, before flying from Brisbane to Townsville for a second meeting with the Brave Blossoms. Taniela Tupou scored two tries as the hosts ran away with a 56-17 win at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.

Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 will kick off in almost 13 months to the day, when the Wallabies take on Hong Kong China in Perth on October 1. As the Wallabies continue to build into this new era under Kiss and towards the home event, stringing wins together is a real positive.

“To get the wins in a row that we’ve had lately, four now I think, it’s a real plus for us. That’s a positive so we’re happy with that, happy with certain elements of our game,” Kiss reflected.

“However, we did put ourselves under pressure and offered too many opportunities at times with some options that just gave them field position and gave them the ball freely.

“We’re not going to lose the run of ourselves but we’ve also accepted it’s Test rugby and to get a win is very important. On their home turf here with the passion of their crowd, we’ll still enjoy what we got out of that game.”