Mendoza: Two tries and a career-best performance from Reece Hodge has helped the Wallabies outclass a valiant Argentinian outfit and propel them to second overall at the conclusion of the Rugby Championship with a 37-20 win.

Going into half-time 13-13 with the Pumas, Australia continued their excellent run of second halves to chalk up win No.2 of the Rugby Championship, putting them above above South Africa on points difference.

A 61st minute try to Will Genia put the Wallabies up by seven points and they looked to have put the lead beyond doubt when Hodge went over, but a forward pass was spotted in the lead-up.

It mattered little as the 23-year-old scored his fifth Test try in the 78th minute in what was his first career double.

Hodge played a hand in four of Australia's five tries and proved to be a handful for the Pumas who missed 32 tackles all up to Australia's 13.

"He was very good," said Wallabies coach Michael Cheika. "Hodge is a very consistent player and he got a few opportunities tonight. Some of the moves were around him and he was able to finish. His defence was good as well. He's a good lad and he's still got plenty to go. I was very happy with him."

Australia have now beaten Argentina in 15 of their last 16 meetings, while it is the first time since 2013 the Pumas have finished the Rugby Championship without a win.

A bumper crowd packed into Estadio Malvinas Argentinas, hoping to see their team record their maiden win of the Rugby Championship and emulate their upset three years ago at the same ground.

There were no lasers this time around, with fans happy to get behind their heroes in what was a terrific atmosphere.

The Wallabies dominated possession (69 per cent) and territory (62 per cent) but the locals took their opportunities when they presented themselves.

"Tonight Argentina made a very good challenge to us and we weren't perfect but we stayed focused," Cheika said. "We kept playing our rugby and we able to get a few tries in the end to make the difference."

Jack Dempsey had his best game in gold, amassing 15 carries for 100 metres to go with three line breaks, while Sean McMahon was equally as effective with ball in hand and at the clean out.

Captain Michael Hooper was most pleased with the halfback and five-eighth combination of Genia and Foley.

"They took charge and really started to put an emphasis on how we want to play the game," Hooper said. "It's what we've been looking forward for years ... as games go on to keep our cool and be able to build pressure on the opposition. We've started to do that. We've proved it as the series went on."

Earlier, both sides were unable to capitalise on the early ball they had but it was the Wallabies who notched up the first points of the evening thanks to a penalty from Bernard Foley.

The Wallabies five-eighth had a chance in the 19th minute to extend his team's lead with another set shot but missed the kick from 30 metres out, directly in front.

After booting his last 18 straight and with a commentator's curse well and truly behind him, Foley was unable to find his rhythm, making just one from five at one stage before finishing with five from nine.

"Bernard has an autocorrect button," Cheika said. "He has days where that happens to him and he wants to nut those out and improve those. I think I've picked him for nearly every game I've coached. I have total faith in him no matter what. It would never enter my head to change it [kickers]."

Once again, Australia looked potent in attack - their structures improving ever since their second half revival in the Bledisloe Cup opener.

Marika Koroibete, for the second game in a row, crossed the paint with what was a longer range effort than his five-pointers in Bloemfontein.

After receiving a delightful cut out pass from Hodge, Koroibete still had work to do but palmed off a Pumas defender on the left edge before staggering over the line for his third Test try.

Shortly after, however, the Pumas hit back through Matias Alemanno to trail by just one point.

Time and time again the Wallabies turned down the chance to kick for goal, instead opting for touch - perhaps related to Foley's off-night with the boot.

Argentina hit the lead in the 30th minute from a penalty but Hodge made the most of some sloppy Pumas defence on the right side to score his first try since the Italy Test in June.

Scores were level 13-13 at half-time, prompting early discussion that for the third time this year the Wallabies might be tied on points with their opposition by the end of 80 minutes.

Foley made up for his missed kicks with the first points of the second half courtesy of a lovely dummy but the Argentinians hit back through Santiago Gonzalez Iglesias to ensure a deadlock would remain until the final quarter of the match.

Though when Will Genia darted to the line with 19 minutes remaining, the Wallabies all but knew they would be finishing their tour on a high with the All Blacks now well and truly in their sights for Bledisloe Cup game three.