Wales 28 - 13 Argentina

Saturday 20 August 2011

Wales entered the game in good spirits after a backs to the wall defensive effort and a piece of individual brilliance from James Hook saw them over the line against an England side sporting plenty of brawn but not enough brains. It was the final warm-up game before they prepared to face the reigning World Champions South Africa, in their opening group game in New Zealand, with the key target to maintain the winning momentum.

After the precautionary withdrawal of Ryan Jones earlier this week the side was captained by veteran openside Martyn Williams, winning his 99th cap, as he and the likes of Andy Powell and Jonathan Thomas were given a final chance to stake their claims for a place in the 30 man squad to be announced on Monday.The experienced Adam Jones returned to bolster the creaking scrum while wing Leigh Halfpenny and full-back Lee Byrne were looking to impress on their comebacks and all but confirm their seats on the plane.

Despite losing their talisman Juan Martin Hernandez to injury Argentina named a strong starting lineup led by fly-half Felipe Contepomi and featuring the powerful Juan Fernandez Lobbe at No 8 and experienced front-rowers Rodrigo Roncero and Mario Ledesma. After finishing third in the 2007 tournament the Argentines were looking to shake off the rustiness and prove that they will still be a force to be reckoned with at the forthcoming tournament.

First Half

A scrappy start saw Argentina looking the more settled side despite their lack of game time together. Their first chance for points came in the 2nd minute after Martyn Williams strayed offside at a ruck but Felipe Contepomi was unable to make the most of it, skewing his attempt wide. The first 20 minutes continued in the same vein with both sides scrapping at the breakdown and making a number of unforced errors. A couple of breaks from Argentina could have been turned into try-scoring opportunities but some poor decision making saw Wales escape unscathed.

Argentina finally got the first points on the board in the 30th minute with Contepomi slotting over a penalty to make it 3-0 after Adam Jones infringed at a maul. A few minutes later they were given a chance to extend their lead after Wales were caught offside at a ruck but once again Contepomi pulled his kick wide.

The lineout was proving an issue for Wales once again but the scrum was proving a much more solid platform with Jones back at tighthead. In the 36th minute a messy Welsh scrum in the Argentine half saw the ball pop up to Tavis Knoyle. His offload found the supporting Alun Wyn Jones who handed on to Andy Powell to race in unchallenged from 22m for a welsh try. James Hook converted to take the score to 7-3 in Wales favour.

Almost immediately from the restart Wales recycled the ball across their own 22m line where Dan Lydiate took the ball into contact. The impressive Knoyle was once again on hand to make a quick snipe at the ruck, offloading to Jamie Roberts who then sent George North racing down the touchline. After a 50m run he looked like he would beat the last man himself but unselfishly passed inside for Wyn-Jones to score the second try of the game. Once again Hook converted to take the score to 14-3 to Wales at half time.

Second Half

Wales started the second half much better than the first with a strong scrum immediately earning them a penalty just inside the Argentinian half. Hook duly converted the kick to extend Wales' lead to 17-3. The welsh defence was once again proving solid with two turnovers providing chances to counter attack from deep but poor decision making again ruining potential overlaps out wide.

Wales then lost an attacking lineout after declining the chance for a kickable penalty but increased their lead to 20-3 a few minutes later when Hook converted another opportunity. From the subsequent kick-off Argentina were reduced to 14 men when influential number 8 Juan Fernandez Lobbe was yellow carded for pulling Wyn Jones to the ground as he caught the restart. Despite the extra man Wales were unable to capitalise with substitutions beginning to disrupt the flow and tempo of the game. Despite being a man down Argentina were able to exert a sustained period of pressure on Wales, eventually winning a penalty under the posts which Contepomi converted to take the score to 20-6.

With more substitutions being made the game lost it's structure a bit. With ten minutes to go Hook, looking confident and assured at outside-half, kicked a penalty to within 5m of the Argentine try line from which Wales attacked through the forwards before recycling quick ball wide to Jonathan Davies who popped an inside pass to George North who powered over to scored Wales' third try of the game. Hook missed the conversion to leave the score at 25-6.

Argentina did manage to grab a late consolation try through Martin Scelzo after a powerful rolling maul - the try eventually being awarded after a review by the TMO. Contepomi added the extras to make it 25-13 but it was Hook who had the last word, converting a penalty with the last kick of the game to leave the final score 28-13 to Wales.

Man Of The Match

Tavis Knoyle - the young scrum-half was making his first international start but he played with great confidence throughout. His distribution was solid and he kept the opposition defence honest with a couple of sniping runs to confirm his place in the final world cup squad.

Analysis

Wales started poorly but once again their defence and fitness were outstanding. The half-backs looked composed and will give the management some welcome selection dilemmas. The set-piece is still a major concern, especially the lineout, although the scrum looked more solid with the return of Jones. It's vital for Wales to provide a solid platform to work from as they've shown that when they have the ball they're capable of putting points on the board.

Argentina were typically physical but the lack of game time showed with a few poor decisions costing them what could have been vital points. They started strongly but faded as the game wore on and fitness could cost them against some of the top teams. There were still glimpses of what they are capable of though and the likes of England and Scotland will underestimate them at their peril.