The Wallabies, who had not played for seven weeks, gave a rusty performance against a tough Argentine side, clearly looking to disrupt any pattern of play.

What many had hoped would be a game of sparkling rugby was quickly turned into a game of brawn rather than brain as one try – from Stirling Mortlock seven minutes into first-half injury time – and four penalties earned the Australians only their third ever win on Argentine soil.

Matt Burke gave the Wallabies the lead in the fifth minute with a penalty in front of the posts before Felipe Contepomi levelled 13 minutes later.

Contepomi added another penalty in the 43rd minute but then went on to miss an incredible seven more attempts that could have won the game for the home side.

Burke kicked two more penalties, in the 22nd and 38th minutes before a surging run from Stephen Larkham set up Mortlock to race over from 35 yards out.

After a scrappy first half with disruptive tactics from the Pumas, the second half degenerated into a farce as both sides lost the plot.

Possession was lost repeatedly and a succession of penalties went to Argentina - all missed – before Elton Flatley kicked the final points of the night in the 85th minute of play.

With over 11 minutes of extra time played Australia’s Mortlock and Argentina’s Gonzalo Longo were both needlessly yellow carded for separate offences before referee Kelvin Deaker finally blew time on a game to forget.

Australia will take heart from a poor performance but will have to improve dramatically against Ireland next weekend if they are to test England at Twickenham on November 16.

The only injury worries facing coach Eddie Jones are Ben Tune, who pulled a hamstring and was replaced early in the game by Wendell Sailor, and Matt Burke, who limped off late in the second half.