In wet and windy conditions, the Wallabies had to guts their way to an 14-13 win at Patersons Stadium.

A loss would have been a devastating blow to the Wallabies and heaped plenty of pressure on McKenzie.

But after a nervous wait, the Wallabies have some breathing room to improve their game away from the scrutiny as they try to repair their dented confidence and pride.

It was McKenzie's first win as coach and Argentina turned the match into a dog fight, throwing everything at the under-siege Wallabies in the dying stages to try to snatch a massive upset.

They forced the Wallabies to build their win on determination with tactics dictated by the weather.

The ARU wants new coach McKenzie to play a high-tempo and attacking style.

But when the team's struggling to beat anyone, a win is a win and the one-point triumph over Argentina will provide a desperately needed injection of confidence.

The Wallabies have eight Tests left this season.

Beating Argentina - a team ranked well below them on the IRB standings - was the first step in becoming competitive again.

However, it was by no means pretty and there's plenty to work on before they can challenge the Springboks and All Blacks.

The scrum was destroyed in the second half and the Wallabies had to repel wave after wave of Pumas attack.

But after being embarrassed by South Africa in Brisbane last weekend, the Wallabies were prepared to play ugly to win and they got the reward.

The Wallabies were more physical, were smarter with their tractional kicking and were willing to put their bodies on the line.

Flanker Michael Hooper was outstanding again while the wet weather kept both back-lines out of the match.

Israel Folau scored the Wallabies' only try from close range and Christian Lealiifano's boot sealed the victory.

McKenzie shocked everyone when he axed star halfback Will Genia from the starting XV during the week to promote rookie No.9 Nic White.

But in a telling sign, McKenzie left Genia - regarded as one of the world's best halfback - on the bench when the game was on the line.

The teams traded penalty goals early in horrendous conditions.

Argentina landed the first blow when they pinned the Wallabies on their own line and Nicolas Sanchez slotted the penalty attempt.

Wallabies flanker Michael Hooper helped his team get level when he won a penalty at the breakdown and Christian Lealiifano converted from close range to lock the score at 3-all.

The Wallabies scrum also went under the microscope as the powerful Pumas tried to use the set-piece as a platform to attack.

They were unlucky not to be rewarded, but it was the Wallabies who edged in front when Lealiifano nailed his second penalty.

The Wallabies made some bizarre decisions in attack. Inside their attacking 22 metres, Quade Cooper put a grubber through and turned possession over.

In seven days the Wallabies went from refusing to kick the ball against South Africa to overusing their boot against the Pumas.

The tactics suited the wet conditions, but while the Wallabies had 75 per cent of possession in the first 20 minutes they failed to break the defensive line.

They had to wait until the 28th minute to score their first try with fullback Israel Folau crashing over.

The Wallabies finally started to bend the defensive line and it opened up gaps on the fringes with a powerful Folau busting through tackles and carrying defenders over for the try.

The Wallabies bombed chances to extend the lead, but the signs were good.

Quade Cooper was physical at flyhalf, Hooper was outstanding at the breakdown, the scrum held up after a shaky start and Christian Lealiifano was strong at inside centre.

But the scrum was demolished after the break and Argentina capitalised on their dominance up front when Juan Manuel Leguizamon scored in the 64th minute.

AUSTRALIA 14 (Israel Folau try; Christian Lealiifano 3 penalties, conversion) bt ARGENTINA 13 (Juan Manuel Leguizamen try; Nicolas Sanchez 2 penalties, conversion) at Patersons Stadium, Perth. Referee: Nigel Owens. Crowd: 18,214.