Once they got into their stride the Pumas, creative and fast going forward, had too much on the day for the Dragons. However, the Welsh pack did start the match in the ascendancy with Edward Shervington crossing for an early try.
Argentina U21 hit back through the boot of Fernandez and prop Gomez Kodela finally rewarded their impressive pack with a try. Fernandez put them further ahead with a penalty and Urdapilleta’s effort just before the break took them in nine points to the good at 16-7.
Argentina U21 came flying out of the traps again at the start of the second half taking their first half momentum with them. Macome scored within four minutes of the restart and from there the result of the match virtually beyond doubt. Meyrelles Torres piled on more agony for the Welsh with a try on 52 minutes. Wales U21 continued to battle to the end, however, and when Argentina U21 were reduced to fourteen men following the sending-off of Matias Cortese for a red card offence, the Dragons scored a consolation try, the final try of the match through flanker Will Jones.
Losing to the Pumas means the only victory Wales U21 enjoyed in France during the 2006 competition was their opening triumph over Georgia U21. Once they got into their stride, Argentina U21, creative and fast going forward, had too much on the day for a lacklustre Welsh side and Davey admitted it was ‘a bad day at the office’.
“Unfortunately we saved our worst performance for last,” said the outgoing Wales U21 Head Coach. “We’re very disappointed to finish with a match where we didn’t show much.”
