Wallabies scrape home as McKenzie breaks duck

In wet and windy conditions, the Wallabies struggled to a 14-13 win at Patersons Stadium.

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

But after a nervous wait, the Wallabies have some breathing space 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 Wallabies in the dying stages to try to snatch an upset win.

The Pumas forced the Wallabies to build their win on determination, with tactics dictated by the weather.

The ARU wants 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 standings - was the first step in becoming competitive again.

But 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.

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

Flanker Michael Hooper was outstanding again while the wet weather kept both backlines out of the match. Israel Folau scored the Wallabies' only try and Christian Lealiifano's boot sealed the victory.

McKenzie shocked everyone when he axed star half-back Will Genia from the starting XV during the week to promote rookie Nic White. But in a telling sign, McKenzie left Genia on the bench when the game was on the line.

He also dragged Quade Cooper with time running out to inject defensive specialist Matt Toomua to shore up the line.

The teams traded penalty goals early in horrendous conditions.

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

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

In seven days the Wallabies went from refusing to kick the ball against South Africa to over-using 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 Folau crashing over.