Mon 18 Nov 2013 | 10:35
Wales break Autumn International hoodoo with win over Argentina

7
Comments

Wales put last weekend's loss to South Africa behind them as they beat Argentina 40-6 to win their first Autumn International in four years. They scored four tries as Argentina looked out of sorts and struggled to hold out the Six Nations champions.

Scrumhalf Mike Phillips got things underway with a long range intercept try, before he set up George North with an excellent inside ball that the fellow Lions back finished off well. Number eight Toby Faletau got on the end of a lovely move, while Ken Owens rumbled over from close range.

Leigh Halfpenny kicked eight out of nine attempts on a day that pleased coach Warren Gatland.

"There were a few things, like some opportunities we missed, and that is ten or 15 points, but you are always looking for the perfect performance," he said.

Leading 23-3 at the break, the win appeared to be in the bag and all Argentina could muster was another penalty to flyhalf Nicolas Sanchez.

"We got the buffer and the lead, but what was pleasing was that players saw the chance to play what was in front of them. Players moving the ball from their own 22 or goal line, that is what we are trying to develop.

"We created lots of chances, but a couple of times the final pass might have seen us score a couple of more points. I have to be satisfied, with the few injuries we have had, but we have adapted to that," Gatland added.

Debutant Cory Allen dislocated his shoulder and will be out for some time, while Scott Williams suffered toe ligament damage. Scarlets prop Rob Evans has joined the squad ahead of Wales' next game, against Tonga on Friday night. They then face the in form Wallabies.

7 Comments

  • katman
    12:47 PM 19/11/2013

    Murrayfield was just as bad on the weekend.

  • ando
    12:53 AM 19/11/2013

    What's up with the Millennium Stadium pitch? I've seen paddocks in better shape... Is this the latest Welsh ploy to try and beat a Southern Hemisphere powerhouse?

  • 11:52 PM 18/11/2013

    I thought the pass from phillips to north looked suspiciously forward. Was it looked at by the TMO. God I hate phillips, showboating on his first try.

  • welshosprey
    6:35 PM 18/11/2013

    Good win. Biggar got that backline flowing so well, hope he starts against Australia.

  • hendogo
    4:25 PM 18/11/2013

    No it was not a good performance by Wales. Argentina is a bad team. I think they are vastly overrated. You should crush them. Lets see Wales beat an actual good team then. I tip my hat to you. I'm not saying Wales is a bad team, but Argentina suck.

  • rugbycoachnic
    4:22 PM 18/11/2013

    Good performance by Wales but the try by North off the line-out should have been called back. North clearly is within 10m and moving before the ball moves off from the jumper. Surprised missed by the TMO, Wales I don't thing they can ever claim they are hard done to by referees(Philips try vs Ireland).

  • tapperjones
    2:47 PM 18/11/2013

    Generally speaking I'm quite happy with this performance.

    To score four tries to nil and finish with a 40-6 scoreline is decent. Further, considering the injuries it was nice to see some new blood coming through successfully. Liam Williams looks one for the future and Corey Allen had a solid debut (shame about the injury). Some of the established boys played well too. AWJ put in a big performance and Hibbard's energy and physicality never ceases to amaze me. Phillips also deserves a mention especially as the last few weeks must have been difficult for him.

    However, Argentina are clearly not at their best. It's been a long old season for them and they haven't won anything of note since this fixture last year. Wales were lucky not to go down a try or two in the first twenty, but the defence settled well afterwards. So I'm not sure what kind of a barometer this match was.

    The Springbok game last week was frustrating, not because of the loss per se, but because we never looked like scoring despite all the possession and territory we had. Although the Puma win was a good one, I feel Wales are no better than they were 2 years ago. I'm not sure if this is because of players/squad depth/Gatland's tactics/confidence or just because we're not as good as we think we are.

    I think a lot rests of the Australia game (if we lose again I don't see how we can claim to be better than the Wallabies). Form-wise I'd say England are looking a bit better than Wales, but in terms of players I'd probably say when fully fit Wales are the 3rd best team in the world. Still, we have a long way to go to seriously challenge NZ and SA in the world cup. And that group is going to be brutal...