In a match that featured enough spilled balls to fill a grocery store's produce section, Australia managed to hold on for a victory over Argentina in a men's rugby union international that was equal parts thrilling and sloppy.

The Wallabies were commanding early, making just four visits to Argentina's 22 but scoring 18 points, while the Pumas entered five times for only seven. Australia also won the breakdown battle with 38 rucks to Argentina's 27, though the hosts were quicker when they kept possession, completing 78% of their rucks within three seconds compared to Australia's 62%.

Lonergan landed a penalty to stretch the lead beyond a converted try, and a late first-half score from Moro - who split Lonergan and Gordon with ease - made it a five-point game at the break.

The second half was a masterclass in nerve-wracking ineptitude. Argentina had a stunning try chalked off for a forward pass, with Prisciantelli gathering again but unable to make the pass stick. Australia then saw a try disallowed when Williams spilled it - though they were playing under a penalty advantage and would scrum five short of the line.

Hooper was hauled down on a line-out, the maul stalled, and McDermott and Jorgensen got in a tangle before the winger ran through a hole and almost scored himself. Eventually, Williams dotted down, and Donaldson somehow missed the conversion, skewing it in a way that defied physics.

Argentina kept coming, with Carreras booting a kick too long and Isgro spilling in contact, leading to the eternal question: does either side actually want to win this? Australia's defence shone, with Jorgensen timing a tackle on Ruiz perfectly and bundling the hooker out of touch.

In the final minutes, chaos reigned. Australia burst down the right from a scrum, Sua'ali'i passed infield to Donaldson, who fired to McReight, but he spilled it. Argentina had the ball in their own half with 70 metres to go, but then Isgro spilled in contact again. A high kick took a wicked bounce, Argentina kicked away possession, and McDermott's box kick didn't go far. Mendy got hammered, but McReight came away with a potentially game-winning steal.

With seconds left, Argentina had one last chance from a line-out about 12 metres from halfway, but Australia held firm. The final whistle blew, and Australia walked away with the win - ugly, messy, but a win nonetheless.

As the old saying goes: they don't ask how, they ask how many. And Australia had just enough.