The 40-6 triumph for Warren Gatland’s men ensured Wales recorded their biggest win against Argentina – the previous record was actually the last time Wales won an autumn international – in 2009.
From that game just Leigh Halfpenny, Alun Wyn Jones and Gethin Jenkins returned for Wales in this afternoon’s starting XV.
Jenkins became the fourth person to reach 100 caps for Wales when he led the side on to the pitch to follow in the footsteps of Stephen Jones, Gareth Thomas and Martyn Williams.
The Pumas began the match without talismen, Juan MartÃn Fernández Lobbe and Juan MartÃn Hernández, and their best finisher, Juan Imhoff, who injured his ankle against England last week.
In the first half the visitors tried to play an open an expansive game but despite some pretty patterns and forays, the Welsh rearguard was never seriously challenged as two first half tries through runaway Mike Phillips and George North plus 13 points courtesy of Leigh Halfpenny’s unerring boot, ensured Wales held a comfortable 23-3 lead at the break.
Last week against South Africa Wales were second best in the aerial battle and lacked a cutting edge but against the Pumas there was a complete turnaround as Wales dominated the air and were clinical in attack.
The first 40 minutes raced by but the second half had to wait until Toby Faletau seized his chance in the 55th minute to give the Welsh fans something to cheer about. Replacement hooker Ken Owens ploughed his way over in the 66th minute to secure his first try for his country.
For the rest of the match Argentina were left chasing shadows as Wales attacked from everywhere with Scott Williams, Liam Williams and Cory Allen enjoying the freedom of the park as the Pumas ran out of steam.
It all began when Halfpenny banged over his early customary penalty before Phillips took advantage of a knock-on by Nicolas Sanchez to pick up the loose ball and race the length of the field to score by the posts.
Justin Tipuric was sent to the sin bin for taking out full back Joaquin Tuculet without the ball but the Pumas struggled to make their extra man count.
Supporting players flopped over the ball carrier to give Halfpenny another opportunity and even from nearly half way, the Blues full back never looked like missing to increase Wales’ lead to 10-0.
The game was 21 minutes old before the famed Pumas pack could have their first crack at Rhodri Jones but it was Argentina who were penalised at the set-piece and Wales were able to relieve the pressure.
From the lineout Mike Phillips flipped the ball back to North who sped over from 22m out to score from the pre-planned move. Halfpenny’s easy conversion put Wales firmly in control at 20-0.
Sanchez stopped the one-way traffic after Brad Davies was caught offside but although they were showing plenty of spirit and endeavor, the Pumas weren’t getting much change out of the Wales defence.
The second half went according to plan as Wales denied the Pumas a sniff of the try-line.
The defeat for the Pumas means Argentina have not beaten a tier one nation since their 26-12 triumph in Cardiff a year ago.
