The match was not all one way traffic however and in the second half the Pumas showed exactly why they are ranked fifth in the world. Their dogged determination and never-say-die attitude almost paid off as they clawed their way back to within a converted try of victory.
Camped on the Welsh try line in the final minutes, only desperate defending from an exhausted Wales stopped a succession of rolling mauls from breaching the whitewash. With just seconds of the match left the Pumas pack developed a head of steam and bundled their way over to seemingly break Welsh hearts again.
But referee Chris White – the man Wales fans will remember for his whistle-blowing antics at the end of this season’s RBS Six Nations match against Italy – went upstairs to the video ref. The television match official spotted a knock-on as Martin Durard attempted to ground the ball and ruled ‘no try’. White put his whistle to his lips, and Wales were winners.
“I’m relieved and I’m pleased,” said skipper Gareth Thomas. “Regardless how the end was, we won. The record books will show a Wales win and that is what is important. Today was about a victory for us a nation. It was important to get confidence for the boys.”
Confidence was high as Wales scored three fine tries in a first half they dominated both territorially and in terms of possession. An early interception try from wing Ignacio Corleto was Argentina’s only score in the first 40 minutes as Wales’s first choice XV imposed themselves on the match.
Wales hit back seconds later when a clever dummy and side step by James Hook unlocked the Pumas’ defence and Thomas had the power to cross. Alun Wyn Jones scored Wales’s second after a quick penalty by Dwayne Peel gave the Ospreys second row a chance to drive over. It was Mark Jones who was on hand to score Wales’s third after Tom Shanklin’s kick ahead bounced kindly in the in-goal area.
The second half was slightly scrappier, tired legs showing a lack of match fitness.
