Wales 12-26 Argentina

By Gareth RobertsBBC Sport Wales at the Millennium Stadium

Last updated on .From the section Rugby Unioncomments245

Highlights - Wales 12-26 Argentina

Argentina consigned Wales to a telling defeat in Cardiff where the Six Nations holders have not won an opening autumn Test since 2000.

The hosts were 9-6 ahead at the break through three Leigh Halfpenny penalties to Felipe Contepomi's penalty and a Gonzalo Sanchez drop-goal.

But second-half tries from Puma wings Juan Imhoff and Gonzalo Camacho and Sanchez's kicking ensured them victory.

Defeat left Wales interim coach Rob Howley with one win from five starts.

With Tests against Samoa, New Zealand and Australia to come in the next three weeks, the reverse also dented Welsh hopes of a favourable 2015 World Cup draw when it is made in December.

The Pumas displayed their customary muscle and effort up front as well as the defensive qualities that have made them such respected opponents on the world stage.

Howley hugely disappointed following Wales' loss to Argentina

The opening exchanges were brutal and uncompromising, so much so that rival centres Felipe Contepomi and Jamie Roberts had each departed well before the break.

Argentine veteran Contepomi's reward for bringing down high-steppping George North during Wales' first attack was to come off worse in the ruck that followed.

His Test return had lasted only 14 minutes while Roberts paid the price for going in high on Gonzalo Tiesi and collapsing in a heap after his head clashed with the back of Tiesi's.

James Hook took over from Roberts and Wales were further weakened before the break as lock Alun Wyn Jones also departed with less than a minute left with suspected shoulder damage and was replaced by Scarlets' number eight Rob McCusker.

The rival medical teams had done some sterling work in that opening period, matched by the efforts of both sides in terms of commitment to the cause.

But there was little in the way of creativity.

Wales largely concentrated on stretching the ball wide, often around half-way, to little effect while Argentina teased the home defence with some clever kicks.

Wales full-back Halfpenny was the opening period's outstanding performer, dealing with the dangers posed by the kicking of opposite number Juan Martin Hernandez and fly-half Nicolas Sanchez.

The Cardiff Blue also came out on top in the goal-kicking duel, his three penalties to Contepomi's opener and Sanchez's 10th-minute drop goal.

In the absence of Adam Jones, his fellow Osprey Aaron Jarvis performed admirably in the scrums on his Test debut.

Neither side were able to take their first-half try-scoring chances with the visitors particularly unfortunate when Tiesi stumbled and fumbled in attempting to gather off the floor five metres from the line.

Sanchez missed two penalty shots within five minutes of the restart - the first rebounding off an upright and the second falling short after he slipped in the run-up.

But Halfpenny kicked his fourth shot to increase Wales' lead to 12-6 against the run of play.

Argentina coach Santiago Phelan gives his reactions to beating Wales

Sanchez made amends with his second drop-goal to leave the contest on a knife edge.

When Imhoff rounded Halfpenny for the game's opening try in the 55th minute after good work by number eight Leonardo Senatore, the visitors had at last earned a reward for more than holding their own.

As Sanchez kicked the conversion, Mike Phillips replaced Tavis Knoyle at scrum-half for Wales.

But the Pumas were soon back on the attack and after more clever support play, Camacho's outstretched arm beat Halfpenny's despairing tackle at the corner.

Sanchez's conversion from the touchline put his side into a 23-12 lead with the last quarter between Wales and defeat.

The Bordeaux-Begles fly-half added another penalty with eight minutes remaining as Argentina profited from their dominance up front that had grown throughout the second period.

At the final whistle Wales, who had made no line-breaks and worked themselves into the visitors' 22 only twice, departed to the boos of their fans.

TEAMS

Wales: 15-Leigh Halfpenny, 14-Alex Cuthbert, 13-Scott Williams, 12-Jamie Roberts, 11-George North, 10-Rhys Priestland, 9-Tavis Knoyle; 1-Gethin Jenkins, 2-Matthew Rees, 3-Aaron Jarvis, 4-Alun Wyn Jones, 5-Ian Evans, 6-Josh Turnbull, 7-Sam Warburton (capt), 8-Toby Faletau

Replacements: 16-Richard Hibbard (60 for Rees), 17-Ryan Bevington (68 for Jenkins), 18-Paul James (64 for Jarvis), 19-Rob McCusker (39, for AW Jones), 20-Justin Tipuric (70 for Warburton), 21-Mike Phillips (56 for Knoyle), 22-James Hook (24 for Roberts).

Unused: 23-Liam Williams.

Argentina: 15-Juan Martin Hernandez, 14-Gonzalo Camacho, 13-Gonzalo Tiesi, 12-Felipe Contepomi, 11-Juan Imhoff, 10-Nicolas Sanchez, 9-Martin Landajo; 1-Marcos Ayerza, 2-Eusebio Guinazu, 3-Juan Figallo, 4-Manuel Carizza,5-Julio Farias Cabello, 6-Leonardo Senatore, 7-Juan Manuel Leguizamon, 8-Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe (capt).

Replacements: 16-Agustin Creevy (48 for Guinazu), 17-Bruno Postiglioni (78 for Ayerza), 18-Juan Gomez (66 for Figallo), 19-Tomas Vallejos Cinalli (64 for Cabello), 20-Tomas Leonardi (56 for Senatore), 21-Nicolas Vergallo (66 for Landjo), 22-Horacio Agulla (45 for Hernandez), 23-Joaquin Tuculet (14 for Contepomi).

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Romain Poite (France)

Assistant referees: George Clancy & Dudley Phillips (both Ireland)

TV: Jim Yuille (Scotland)

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245 comments

  • Wales looked undercooked and tactically clueless, the most worrying performance in a long time, Argentina looked more powerful, skilful and fitter and should probably have won by more, Howley is out of his depth as acting head coach, the clean sweep looks on, unfortunately a losing one not a winning one. Going to be a long week never mind a long month.

  • Team just announced for Samoa.

    15. Priestland
    14. Priestland's Mate
    13. Priestland's dad
    12. Pristland's neighbour
    11. Priestland's drinking buttie
    10. Priestland's son
    9. Priestland's brother
    8. Warburto's neighbour
    7. Warburton Captain
    6. Warburton's school chum
    5. Warburton's cousin
    4. Warburton's nephew
    3. Warburton's Dog
    2. Warburton's landlord
    1. Warburton's Grandpa

    All picked on form

  • I have had over 50 years of up and downs in supporting my beloved country. But yesterdays performance was a shambles. Howley is not an international head coach and never will be. We were predictable, one dimensional and most of all way to lateral in attack. We knew Argentina would be better for competing in the SH tournament. So no excuses for the less than dazzling game plan and poor execution.

  • Sam Warburton was anonymous today no impact at all. Once Tipuric came on Wales looked much better.
    Josh Turnbull was useless. Knoyle was like a ragdoll. Priestland well the usual performance from him.

  • WG being allowed to coach the Lions is already impacting on the Team. Howley engenders no confidence and is a poor communicator in public. I can see the team imploding if things continue to deteriorate. Dont forget Howley is in charge for the 6Nations. A win against Samoa will only paper over the cracks.

  • 203.Numbnuts. Shouldn't make comparisons. As the England team of 2003 was one dimensional but effective. Only problem while other countries changed their approach England remained stagnant and were subsequently poor for years after. Three grand slams by Wales recently equals success. Perhaps England after they win yeaterday will ask to compete in the Southern Hemisphere tournaments. Laughable

  • I do not see where these comments of welsh fans' "arrogance" is coming from.

    All knowledgeable, genuine welsh fans understand the team are a long way from being where they need to be to compete at WC 2015 and a lack of depth is apparent for all to see.

    Having said that, the 6Nations/WC 2012 showed their potential and hopefully yesterday's game was the Kick up the A$$ that we needed.

  • #181. What a load of rubbish. I am a proud Welshman by birth and by language. Giving an opinion on a performance is not "anti-Welsh". I said when Howley was appointed it would be a disaster. He lacks credibility with the public and now seemingly the players too. I will always support all Wales teams. But I have the right to voice my opinion. You dont have to agree with my opinion.

  • 175.JayJay88L
    How laughable it is to hear an Englishman accusing teams of being one dimensional. They have been one dimensional since William Webb Ellis pick up the ball.

  • It all went wrong for me before kick-off when the Welsh captain threw the poppy wreath on the ground and turned his back without a pause, no respect whatever.

  • At the game today.
    1. Argentina were nothing special had very little by way of attack and thrived simply on Wales being very poor.
    2. People saying Wales were lucky in 6N, you don't win 5 games by luck
    3. Howley is interim coach should not stand down, Gats is still coach, do you not think he had a say in the starting 15
    4. Tipuric and Bigger in next week, Priestland and Warburton did not perform

  • Howley seems massively out of his depth at head coach level. Picking the right team on it's own would've been enough to win the game today but he couldn't do that. Coupled with big names such as Warbuton, AW Jones and Roberts (when he was on) not turning up meant Wales were lacklustre in every aspect of the game. Priestland poor again today. Beck, Biggar and Tipuric to start against Samoa please!

  • What a shambles,the only bright spot was jarvis filling in at tight head,done ok at scrumtime.When will they pick the side on form ?3 or 4 would'nt be there!!!,Priestland,hopeless since the w.c,crash bang centres not working,wingers tried ,did we have a 6 playing?,Warburton very poor time for a new captain and No7,hope ryan jones will be fit soon.

  • This performance smacked of being cocky. So many false dawns for Wales. A few good performances and we talk ourselves up as if we are world cup contenders, i really worried when i read all the people talking about a clean sweep this year. The other teams including NH teams have started to bulk down and concentrate on quick offloading, keeping the ball moving, Wales have gone back 10 years.

  • Why is anyone surprised at this result - it's quintessential Wales! 3 Grand Slams in 8 years each one followed by a season or poor performances and a bottom half 6N finish. Priestland WAS not and IS not a good 10 - he was just flattered by good players around him (Wilkinson in reverse when he lost his posse....). No seeding for Wales at WC2015. Bring back Hook - a waste of talent.

  • Wales are all hype , they lose so many games and today were totally outclassed from minute 1 ..... what noteworthy victories have they ever had ?

  • I forgot the match this morning when I saw the joy of the mini rugby team spilling out across the park with ball in hand,learning to pass and beat their opponents,before standing hand in hand with my little lad and his friends on the pitch for a minutes silence.Ah the joy and passion the game brings, the highs lows and a minutes reflection on what's important and what can wait ..at least for now.

  • My Rugby Club was lucky enough to have a number of both Welsh and then later NZ players.There are phrases like ,soft hands,keep your eye on the ball, he is doing his best..we need to focus on helping people play and dump this critical stuff. Yes criticize but keep it positive for goodness sake. Look at Contepomi and Romania and Portugal ...hope you see where I am coming from.

  • Now that I'm over the shock of how poorly Wales played I would like to say thank you to Felipe Contepomi for the wonderful service he has given to rugby and in particular the Pumas. He has been at the forefront of the game in all the clubs/provinces in which he has played and been an inspiration to many in the way he conducts himself on and off the pitch. I hope he is able to play out his career.

  • I thought the team looked very very tired. No spark, no creativity, no individual brilliance. Have they been training too hard in Poland and not given themselves time to recover?

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