Seven-try Argentina overpower Wales with a 52-28 win

Wales 28-52 Argentina, Cardiff

Argentina came up with a seven-try performance as they overpowered Wales with a 52-28 victory at Principality Stadium on Sunday.

Even though Wales ended their longest-ever losing streak (18) with a win over Japan in July, Sunday’s defeat saw them record a 10th successive home loss, while Argentina continued their momentum from the Rugby Championship, where they notched wins against the All Blacks and Wallabies, while they suffered only a two-point defeat against the Boks.

Wales’ indiscipline cost them early. Penalties at the scrum from Dewi Lake and Rhys Carre, followed by Daf Jenkins being pinged for offside, gave the visitors a platform. Pedro Delgado crossed for the opening try, with Santiago Carreras converting to give Argentina a 0-7 lead.

Argentina stepped up the pace, with Matias Carreras’ chip kick allowing Geronimo Prisciantelli to score in the 10th minute. Carreras’ conversion extended the lead to 0-14.

Wales, despite continuing struggles with discipline, responded under new head coach Steve Tandy. Tom Rogers and Jac Morgan combined to send Tomos Williams over the line, with Dan Edwards converting, reducing the deficit to seven points.

A near-miss followed as Rhys Carre charged close to the line, but a knock-on spared the Pumas. Moments later, Dewi Lake scored from close range, with Edwards’ conversion levelling the scores by the start of the second quarter.

Wales were soon reduced to 14 men when Ben Thomas was sin-binned for an attempted kick at Pablo Matera. Argentina capitalised, with Carreras kicking a penalty goal.

The Pumas remained relentless, with tries from Benitez Cruz and Matias Carreras, both converted by Santiago, giving Argentina a commanding 14-31 lead at halftime.

Argentina extended their dominance in the second half as Batista Delguy dotted down, stretching the lead to 24 points. Wales were further punished when Tomos Williams received a yellow card for a tackle without the ball, while Carreras left the field for a Head Injury Assessment.

Wales briefly responded with a power try from Jac Morgan, but the skipper was forced off with an arm injury. Prisciantelli then capitalised on a loose ball to score, taking the score to 21-45. Blair Murray added a try in the 73rd minute after a flat pass from Williams, but Santiago Grondona sealed the result for Argentina after TMO consultation, completing a 24-point victory.

Wales will face Japan next on 15 November, while Argentina take on Scotland on 16 November.

Team line up:

Wales: Murray; Rogers, Llewellyn, B Thomas, Adams; Edwards, T Williams; Carre, Lake, Assiratti, D Jenkins, Beard, Mann, Morgan (capt), Wainwright.

Reserves: Belcher, Smith, Griffin, F Thomas, Cracknell, Hardy, J Evans, Rees-Zammit.

Argentina: S Carreras; Delguy, Piccardo, Chocobares, M Carreras; Prisciantelli, Benitez Cruz; Vivas, Montoya (capt), Delgado, Petti, Kremer, Matera, JM Gonzalez, Oviedo.

Reserves: Ruiz, Gallo, Rapetti, Alemanno, Grondona, Moyano, Mallia, Isgro.