The Wallabies held on for a 14-13 win against the Pumas in Perth on Saturday night to end a four-Test losing streak.

It wasn't the flashy and expansive style the ARU wants.

But the Wallabies showed guts and determination in horrendous conditions to give McKenzie his first win as coach.

"They're the moments that start to define the team and the character of the people," McKenzie said.

"I thought the guys fought pretty hard together. We found a method to play with carrying the burden of not being able to win. We've only won one from six games.

"We haven't abandoned how we want to play, but you have to stick with what's relevant.

"There has been a fair bit of work going on from a lot of people and you need the win to validate what you've been doing.

"You have to start somewhere. A win tonight is a nice place . . . no one will back us to win [the next two games on the road], but now we've got a bit of confidence it's a dangerous thing."

A loss to the Pumas would have been a devastating blow to Australian rugby after losing the series against the British and Irish Lions and then sacking coach Robbie Deans.

There's still plenty of work to do. The scrum was hammered in the second half and McKenzie is still trying to find the right combinations.

But the Wallabies' strong defensive effort in the second half when the Pumas rallied was heartening and laid the foundation for future success.

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.

"I would have taken a 3-0 win . . . we just needed to win," captain Ben Mowen said after his first Test as skipper.

"We know the rugby public hasn't been happy with results . . . we didn't put our heads in the sand, we saw those comments and they motivated us.

"To get a win like that tonight . . . there were moments where we needed to turn the screws and we did that. There were huge moments of character that can propel this team forward."

Breakaway Michael Hooper was again the Wallabies' best player while rookie halfback Nic White was outstanding in his starting debut.

Israel Folau scored Australia's only try while Juan Manuel Leguizamen got Argentina's five-pointer to give his team a chance of victory.

"It hasn't been all doom and gloom. There has been some positive things," McKenzie said.

"But the scoreboard is the only thing that's relevant, we had to get that right and we did tonight so we have to keep building."