Argentina snuffed out the brief Welsh rugby revival on Saturday in San Juan to triumph for the first time in the Nations Championship.
The Argentinians, who had locked up a four-try bonus point by half-time, finished with five tries in a a 35-21 win, while Wales scored three – all through front-row forwards.
The result meant that after two rounds of matches, only three of the 12 teams had a perfect record: Ireland, who top the northern hemisphere table, and the Springboks and All Blacks in the south.
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Argentina had lost a high-scoring opener at home to Scotland the previous week. Wales edged Fiji in Cardiff to secure back-to-back Test wins for the first time since 2023.
On Saturday, the Pumas, who made five changes from their losing side, feasted on the Welsh defensive frailties exposed by the Fijians, mixing close-range power with penetrating running through the porous visiting defence out wide.
Wales jumped into a second-minute the lead when hooker Dewi Lake bludgeoned over from close range.
Argentina responded by slicing through the Welsh in an attack that ended with No 8 Joaquin Oviedo diving over on five minutes.
After 14 minutes, wing Bautista Delguy leapt to collect a high ball and feed centre Justo Piccardo who scored.
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Wales hit back with another close-range, front-row try, this time from hulking prop Rhys Carre after 23 minutes.
In defence, Wales struggled to slow the hosts, who cut through twice to secure a four-try bonus by half-time.
Flanker Marcos Kremer crashed over after 34 minutes and fullback Santiago Carreras added the second just before the break.
The hosts threatened to turn a romp into a rout early in the second half as Oviedo trotted over untouched seven minutes after the restart.
Argentina crossed again but the score was ruled out and after that the hosts seemed to settle for containment.
Wales coach Steve Tandy threw on Louis Rees-Zammit, rested after last week. Yet, it was a replacement prop Ben Warren who scored the last try in the 65th minute. Another frontal assault created a gap in the home defence and Warner flopped over the whitewash.
In a match without a single converted penalty, both flyhalves were impeccable with their conversions. Tomas Albornoz goaled all five Pumas tries, while Sam Costelow, recalled by Wales. landed his three attempts.
ARGENTINA – Tries: Joaquin Oviedo (2), Justo Piccardo, Marcos Kremer, Santiago Carreras. Conversions: Tomas Albornoz (5).
WALES – Tries: Dewi Lake, Rhys Carre, Ben Warren. Conversions: Sam Costelow (3).
– AFP
Photo: Marcos Brindicci – Nations Championship/Getty Images
The post Los Pumas feast on porous Wales appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Argentina snuffed out the brief Welsh rugby revival on Saturday in San Juan to triumph for the first time in the Nations Championship.
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