The Pumas have built their modern-day reputation on a rock-solid set-piece with formidable forwards like Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe, Mario Ledesma and Marcos Ayerza and anchoring a team which – thanks to the talents of playmakers like Felipe Contepomi, Juan Martin Hernandez and more – was so much more multi-dimensional than the narrative suggested.
But Argentina will come to Principality Stadium for the second game of the Under Armour Series on 12 November with further strings to their bow.
Their Rugby Championship campaign saw a noticeable emphasis on the offload game and running from deep, a change which has not gone unnoticed in Wales’ coaching ranks.
“They are one of the the most-improved sides in world rugby,” said Howley, who captained Wales to a historic first series triumph in Argentina back in 1999.
“Argentina play the game with great physicality and great skill. They like to play the ball-in-hand game, they’ve got two experienced half-backs in Nicolas Sanchez and Martin Landajo who pull the strings, and they’ve got a fantastic back three.
“They’re a very dangerous side and they love to play the game with high intensity and it’s something which all the sides we’ll play in the autumn have – that intensity from the Rugby Championship will be one of their strengths. The challenge for us is to be able to match that intensity and skill.”
Defence coach Shaun Edwards agrees with Howley’s assessment of Argentina’s style of play, drawing parallels with one of European rugby’s traditional superpowers.
“They remind me a little bit of the old Toulouse, the way they used to play with the offload,” he said. “Argentina have a lot of one-handed carriers, coming into contact with the ball in one hand and trying to get it free to offload it.
“It makes for a very spectacular way of playing the game; it’s a little bit risky but they don’t mind taking a risk. We have to be there to smother that sort of attack.”
Argentina, who reached the semi-finals of last year’s Rugby World Cup, also have a side playing in Super Rugby, with the Buenos Aires-based Jaguares supplying almost the entire Pumas squad for the Rugby Championship.
Edwards said four years of regular exposure playing Australia, South Africa and New Zealand has had an profound impact on Daniel Hourcarde’s team.
“They changed their style of play, now they’re probably one of the most attacking teams in world rugby, where before they were very much vaunted for the set-piece.
“They’re the kind of team that will attack from their own 22.”
Tickets to watch Wales v Argentina at Principality Stadium are available from www.wru.wales/tickets starting from £20.
