Wales Edge Past Pumas in Cardiff

Wales edged past Los Pumas in Cardiff, winning 24-20. The loss gives Argentina plenty of work to do to prepare for next weekend’s match at Murrayfield.

The early exchanges saw Wales with possession but unable to make inroads. Argentina, in contrast, made use of their right possession to score points. Nicolás Sánchez kicked a 3rd minute penalty. A second opportunity presented itself minutes later only for it to sail wide.

Wales opened their account in the 15th minute. A regular penalty was successfully kicked by Toulon fullback Leigh Halfpenny. A second followed seven minutes later followed Wales began a sustained period of control.

It was all-Wales for the second quarter of play. The Europeans tested Argentina significantly and camped themselves deep in the Pumas half. Multiple raids took place with Wales coming close to scoring on numerous occasions. Argentina, though, held firm to not concede a try.

While Argentina held their lines penalties did not stop coming. In the final minute before half time referee Angus Gardner yellow carded Ramiro Herrera for repeated infringements in the scrum. Wales looked to capitalize as Enrique Pieretto came on at Tight Head and Javier Ortega Desio taken off. The resulting penalty saw Pieretto demolishing Gethin Jenkins to win a penalty and save Los Pumas.

The try would come though but it was from the backs. A disorganized defensive arrangement saw Dan Biggar break through. Quick play then passed the ball wide to Liam Williams who was able to get the ball down by making there most of a two on one. Halfpenny’s conversion attempt was wide.

Argentina hit back through Juan Martín Hernández. A penalty from Ross Moriarty saw Martín Landajo tap and go. Having broken clear a kick though was chased and gathered by Hernández who went over beside the posts. Sánchez converted to make it an 11-10 scoreline.

Just when it seems Argentina was back on top the pendulum swung once more. Unable to make ground Jenkins kicked for the corner, a rarity for a front-rower. Santiago Cordero stepped on the line while gathering the kick which gave Wales an attacking lineout. A strong rolling maul was well defended by Los Pumas only for players to leave a slight gap for Gareth Davies to slip through and score. Halfpenny made it 18-10.

Strong work from the Pumas pack got them back into scoring range. Following an attacking scrum Facundo Isa went close . The forwards rumbled on, being tackled close repeatedly. Eventually Landajo found enough space to dive over. The TMO confirmed it had been grounded, giving Argentina their second try.

Risky play from Cordero saw him run rather than clear. Having been caught he off-loaded to Creevy who had the ball stripped from his hands. Wales were able to turn it into three points following a penalty offense from the following phase. It set up a final fifteen minutes with Wales ahead 21-17.

Sánchez and Halfpenny exchanged penalties to finish the scoring at 24-20. Both teams will play again next weekend. Wales will play at home to Japan while Argentina will take on Scotland in Edinburgh. With an eye to Japan 2019 seedings a win for Los Pumas in mandatory.

 

SCORING

WALES 24
Tries – Li. Williams (43′), G Davies (55′)
Cons – L. Halfpenny (56′)
Pens – L. Halfpenny 4 (15′, 23′, 65′, 78′)

ARGENTINA 20
Tries – J. Hernández (48′), M. Landajo (61′)
Cons – N. Sánchez 2 (49′, 62′)
Pens – N. Sánchez 2 (4′, 74′)
Yellow cards – R. Herrera (39′)

 

TEAMS

WALES
1 Gethin Jenkins (capt.) (17 Nicky Smith 63′) 2 Ken Owens (16 Scott Baldwin 45′) 3 Tomas Francis 4 Luke Charteris 5 Alun Wyn Jones 6 Sam Warburton 7 Justin Tipuric 8 Ross Moriarty 9 Gareth Davies 10 Dan Biggar 11 Liam Williams 12 Scott Williams 13 Jonathan Davies 14 George North 15 Leigh Halfpenny

Not used: 18 Samson Lee, 19 Cory Hill, 20 James King, 21 Lloyd Williams, 22 Gareth Anscombe, 23 Jamie Roberts

ARGENTINA
1 Lucas Noguera Paz (17 Santiago García Botta 50′) 2 Agustín Creevy (capt.) (16 Julián Montoya 65′) 3 Ramiro Herrera (18 Enrique Pieretto 71′) 4 Guido Petti (20 Tomás Lezana 58′) 5 Matías Alemanno 6 Pablo Matera (19 Leonardo Senatore 63′) 7 Javier Ortega Desio (18 Enrique Pieretto 39′-49′) 8 Facundo Isa 9 Martín Landajo (21 Tomás Cubelli 63′) 10 Nicolás Sánchez 11 Santiago Cordero 12 Juan Martín Hernández (22 Santiago González Iglesias 75′) 13 Matías Orlando 14 Matías Moroni 15 Joaquín Tuculet (23 Jerónimo de la Fuente 36′)

 

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Angus Gardner (ARU)
Assistants: Mike Fraser (NZRU) & Luke Pearce (RFU)
TMO: Sean Davey (RFU)

Attendance: 50,175