The Wallabies may have fallen over the line in San Salvador de Jujuy, but there was enough to like in the industrious performance of Australia's forward pack to continue the team's upward trend under new coach Les Kiss.
Australia improved to 3-0 under the Queenslander with a gritty 27-21 win in the first Test against Argentina, the Wallabies doing just enough to meet -- and defy -- the step up in quality from Japan.
The Wallabies opened the scoring in the seventh minute through hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa and never ceded it thereafter, though Australia lost all attacking shape in a shoddy final quarter when the high altitude appeared to suck the energy out of the visitors.
The good news for Kiss is that his smart squad management will allow for the rested Harry Wilson, Taniela Tupou, Josh Nasser, Carlo Tizzano, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and Len Ikitau to return, while Angus Bell and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii should be in reasonable condition after 40 and 15 minutes off the bench on Sunday morning [AEST] respectively.
But one player whom Kiss will be sweating on is scrum-half Ryan Lonergan, who has quickly become arguably the most important Wallabies player full stop.
For when Lonergan, who Kiss later revealed had been battling illness during the week, was forced off with a minor head knock early in the second half, Australia lost all shape and direction in attack.
Tate McDermott has done some fine things in the Wallabies jersey, his cameos off the bench last year against the British and Irish Lions among them, long providing the second-half shot of energy Australia have required.
But his service and skill set are not in the same class as Lonergan, whose lightning-fast and laser-accurate pass is among the best of any No. 9 in the world right now. Lonergan is also a more assured box kicker, while his goal kicking has eased what was a serious concern for the Wallabies.
Lonergan is kicking at 86% since taking on the responsibility against France last month, while Ben Donaldson missed a near regulation conversion once the No. 9 went off which would have taken the Wallabies out beyond seven points.
In good news for Australia, Kiss confirmed Lonergan's head knock wasn't serious and the plan was that he would be replaced early in the second half in Jujuy anyway because the halfback had been ill earlier in the week. But either ailment may be too much to shake in a week even if he is cleared of a concussion, leaving McDermott to start in the second Test, unless Kiss looks to another of his Reds halfbacks in Kalani Thomas.
If it is McDermott who earns the start, then the veteran halfback must produce a drastically improved showing than the one he delivered in Jujuy. The Queenslander's first few passes were dreadful, he had a box kick charged down, and while he very nearly went close to scoring a try that would have sealed the result for Australia, the Wallabies may well have been better served by opting for another scrum. There was also a huge question as to whether the Pumas defenders were onside from McDermott's quick tap.
But there is no hiding from the fact that Australia lost their way once Lonergan's tempo and accuracy went out of the game.
"It's trying to get that fine balance about managing those moments, putting another phase pressure on, possession pressure on, so that we can pull the type of shapes that we wanted, but also put them under pressure and maybe get the penalty advantage," Kiss assessed of Australia's late struggles.
"But full credit to them [Argentina], they kept aiming up in defence... and they controlled the ruck speed a lot; at times I thought we were too wide in our attack, we weren't compact, we weren't trying to go through enough, we were probably going a little bit too long with the ball in the air and it gave them a chance to put pressure on us.
"So it's about our ambition to play to our opportunities, but also being able to manage the gain line under our terms and then being able to find the right kick."
McDermott wasn't alone in his final-quarter errors, with Carter Gordon kicking a ball dead from just inside the Pumas' half when trying to find the corner.
In the end, though, some crunch Wallabies defence -- none better than a monstrous double-team hit from replacements Billy Pollard and Angus Bell -- and some poor Pumas handling proved enough for Australia to escape with the six-point win.
Australia also had the better of the set piece, with Charlie Cale's late steal robbing the Pumas of an attacking platform on an afternoon when the Wallabies picked off four throws on their opponent's ball.
The hosts are unlikely to be so badly off their game -- Rodrigo Isgro and Santiago Carreras were two players guilty of simple handling errors -- in seven days' time, while Australia won't need any reminding of how badly they were beaten in the second Tests of their Argentina tours in 2022 and 2024.
The fresh legs from skipper Wilson, Tupou, Tizzano and co. will make a difference, while the Wallabies have unearthed a gem in lock Josh Canham who again got through a mountain of work.
And then there is Rob Valetini, who is back to his John Eales Medal-winning best of 2023 and 2024. Valetini was relentless in a 71-minute performance that featured a match-high 17 carries and 41 metres, and 14 tackles in defence.
He was ably supported in the back-row by Tom Hooper, who won two key turnovers and scored a try, while McReight was as busy as ever, his late turnover following the Bell-Pollard tackle thwarting another huge Pumas opportunity.
With nearly a clean bill of health in the pack, which is in stark contrast to previous years, the Wallabies forwards are starting to build the depth they will need to be competitive at the World Cup next year.
And they are laying a fine platform for Lonergan, whose importance to the Wallabies could not have been more evident in Jujuy.