Led by Cory Hill for the first time, the Welsh pack’s tally of 81 caps is dwarfed by the gnarly Pumas unit who have amassed 303 between them but Jenkins has no concerns when it comes to a lack of Test match experience.
“I don’t think it’s about caps,” explained the former hooker, who played a crucial role in Wales claiming an historic Test series victory against the Pumas in 1999.
“Look at James Davies who has come in for Ellis Jenkins. Ellis is very composed and a great seven, Cubby is the same – these boys coming in have played in big stadiums every other week so the inexperience tag doesn’t have a lot of relevance – these boys are programmed to it – I don’t think the likes of James Davies, Dillon Lewis and Adam Beard will be phased by what is coming at them in South America,” he added.
“I think Wales will be more than comfortable in all areas of the game. They can go toe to toe in the set piece, are very efficient in contact and Wales possess halfbacks and a back three who can play. The game has moved on and I think Wales are comfortable playing any style of play.”
Argentina coach Daniel Hourcade has seen his side struggle at international level in recent times, having won only three of their last 20 Tests – those victories came against Japan in 2016 and Georgia and Italy in 2017.
However the form of Los Jaguares in Super Rugby where they have recorded some notable scalps, ensures they cannot be underestimated according to Jenkins.
“It’s all about the here and now. Argentina have been in a tough environment playing in the Rugby Championship – they will be aware of those statistics and will want to put things right on their own turf.
“The first game up tonight will be a bit of an arm wrestle but I think if Wales can get that two passes away from areas where Argentina are strong, we’ll score some tries.”
Last week’s victory against South Africa would have offered encouragement to the Welsh camp according to Jenkins and the pack’s lack of experience in comparison to their Pumas counterparts shouldn’t be deemed a chink in their armour as both teams vie to get the Test series under way with an coveted win.
“Wales have got the experience of coming through last week against South Africa, yes it was a rookie South Africa side, but nevertheless it is still a Test. Any Test away from home you have to be on your mettle because when these guys represent their country it means something – playing for your country gives you that extra zip and that collective zip,” he said.
“It’s like anything, the Six Nations tournament, the World Cup – it’s all about the first game and whatever it takes tonight to win, they have to do it, there is no script.
“Sometimes a script and a game plan goes out the window – you’re trying to adhere to it as best you can but sometimes the opposition stop you from doing that so you have got to win that battle and especially against Argentina, you have to win the mental battle, whether that is in the contact area whether that is in the carry, the tackles, they just have to rule that.”
Jenkins has fond memories of the tour of Argentina in 1999, which remains the one and only time Wales have won a Test series there.
“We went there quite buoyant – we were in pretty good shape. It was a good time to be involved in Welsh rugby,” he recalled. “It was a great tour – everybody was quite excited, there was a great feeling in the camp – the World Cup was coming to Cardiff so we set off for Argentina quite excited.”
Coached by ex-All Black Alex ‘Grizz’ Wyllie, the Pumas had established themselves as the best scrummaging pack in world rugby but Wales refused to budge and gave as good as they got.
“I scored in the second Test – I think it was the only try of the game – I fell over the line but I will take it – they are great memories but it was a tough environment. They had some great players like Federico Mendez, Roberto Grau and Mauricio Reggiardo – up front they were supposedly the best unit and they had a couple of big fellas in the pack but we enjoyed the contest out there – we didn’t give an inch and fair play to the boys, we clinched the series.”
That trip wasn’t actually Jenkins’ first time in South America, as he had travelled to Uruguay and the Pumas stronghold of Tucuman with his Swansea club five years earlier.
“We were invited out there – we played Tucuman and they have been banned from hosting touring teams – it was a heck of a game – I think the referee played about 20 minutes of injury time until Tucuman scored. They were probably one of the toughest packs I ever played against.”
Jenkins, who played in three World Cups and finished his career with 58 Welsh caps, enjoyed the touring aspect and feels the modern day player misses out when they don’t tangle with any domestic opposition.
“I loved touring – it’s the modern day thing now, fly in for two Tests but it’s great to go and play a team like Buenos Aires, a prestigious club with a proud history. When you see the teams they have beaten, that’s what it’s about – sometimes a tour is about weaving your way through a country and thinking ‘we’ll have a tough one here’ and they soften you up for the Test – there’s something special about that.”
