Upset win: Argentina celebrate
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Argentina caused the first upset of the November internationals after beating Wales 26-12 at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday.
When Wales had possession they were guilty of forcing passes, and their high error-count merely played into Argentina's hands. The only positive note for a disjointed home team was that they were in front approaching the last quarter of the match.
But that's as good as it got for the hosts, before the Pumas scored two quickfire tries through wingers Juan Imhoff and Gonzalo Camacho to open up a sizeable lead which they never relinquished.
It was only the second win for Argentina in Cardiff and their first since 2001, whilst Wales were dealt a woeful fourth defeat on the trot.
Argentina dominated the opening exchanges and were on the scoreboard first through the boot of their evergreen centre Felipe Contepomi, but Wales were quick to level proceedings thanks to a Leigh Halfpenny penalty.
A drop-goal from Pumas pivot Nicolas Sanchez a few minutes later put his team back in front, however disaster then struck for the South Americans when Contepomi was stretchered off the field after taking a knock to the knee.
As soon as the 35-year-old was off the pitch, Halfpenny rubbed further salt into the Pumas' wounds with his second penalty of the match to draw the scores level (6-6) once again in the thirteenth minute.
The Pumas continued to dominate for long periods in the first half and should have had more than six points for their efforts. They came close to scoring the first try, only for Gonzalo Tiesi to spill a cross-field grubber from Gonzalo Camacho forward with the tryline begging.
In what was an unspectacular first half thus far, Wales suffered a setback of their own when Jamie Roberts was forced off the pitch in the 24th minute after clashing heads with Tiesi - both sides now without their first-choice inside centres.
But it wasn't all doom and gloom for Wales as the hosts took the lead three minutes later for the first time in the match courtesy of another Halfpenny penalty (9-6). However on the stroke of half-time, Alun Wyn Jones was the next Wales casuality after the lock left the field clutching his wrist.
The second half proved more eventful, as Argentina once again got out of their starting blocks first only for Sanchez to miss two early shots at goal - six points down the toilet. Halfpenny then showed the Pumas goal-kicker how it was done after nailing his fourth successive penalty to extend Wales' lead (12-6).
But while Sanchez failed from the tee, he was on target with another drop-goal to close the gap to three points and keep the pressure on the Grand Slam winners.
For 55 minutes, Wales were still in the game. But that was all about to change when Argentina produced two well-timed scores.
Their forwards initially made the hard yards, with number eight Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe delivering a scoring pass to Imhoff,, who galloped over from 20 metres out.
And before Wales could recover, Camacho found himself on the end of a Juan Martin Hernandez pass as the Pumas posted a second try in the space of four minutes - both were converted by Sanchez, who would go on to seal the deal with a late penalty.
Man of the match: For Wales, their front row deserves a pat on the back for matching the Pumas at scrum-time. And of course, Leigh Halfpenny did well from the tee. For Argentina - take your pick! From 1-15, everyone put their body on the line from start to finish. But if we have to single out one player, it has to be captain and number eight Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe who once again led from the front superbly - surely a front-runner for an IRB Player of the Year nomination.
Moment of the match: Juan Imhoff's try gave the Pumas a shout at victory, but Gonzalo Camacho's effort simply confirmed it.
Villain of the match: No malice to report.
The scorers:
For Wales:
Pens: Halfpenny 4
For Argentina:
Tries: Imhoff, Camacho
Cons: Sanchez 2
Pens: Contepomi, Sanchez
Drops: Sanchez 2
Wales: 15 Leigh Halfpenny, 14 Alex Cuthbert, 13 Scott Williams, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 George North, 10 Rhys Priestland, 9 Tavis Knoyle, 8 Toby Faletau, 7 Sam Warburton (capt), 6 Josh Turnbull, 5 Ian Evans, 4 Alun Wyn Jones, 3 Aaron Jarvis, 2 Matthew Rees, 1 Gethin Jenkins.
Replacements: 16 Richard Hibbard, 17 Ryan Bevington, 18 Paul James, 19 Rob McCusker, 20 Justin Tipuric, 21 Mike Phillips, 22 James Hook, 23 Liam Williams.
Argentina: 15 Juan Martin Hernandez, 14 Gonzalo Camacho, 13 Gonzalo Tiesi, 12 Felipe Contepomi, 11 Juan Imhoff, 10 Nicolas Sanchez, 9 Martin Landajo, 8 Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe, 7 Juan Manuel Leguizamon, 6 Leonardo Senatore, 5 Julio Farias Cabello, 4 Manuel Carizza, 3 Juan Figallo, 2 Eusebio Guinazu, 1 Marcos Ayerza.
Replacements: 16 Agustin Creevy, 17 Bruno Postiglioni, 18 Juan Gomez, 19 Tomas Vallejos Cinalli, 20 Tomas Leonardi, 21 Nicolas Vergallo, 22 Horacio Agulla, 23 Joaquin Tuculet.
Referee: Romain Poite (France)
By Dave Morris
Comments
makemehappy says...
The editor says.... Your comment has been deleted. @7ton and @makemehappy - give it a rest!
Posted 08:56 06th January 2013
Lucasrg says...
Just saw the highlight. Superb work fro Argentina, Bien Heco!
If the national leagues will be sorted soon, in 10 years time they will be in the top 5 easly.
Posted 23:10 14th November 2012
rugby_rockstar says...
Argentina did really well on Saturday. the Pumas attack was as good and as exciting as I hoped it would be given their performances in the rugby championship, but it wasn't the welsh defense that was a little rusty, it was their attack. They didn't create much at all.
Popular opinion always bigs up the welsh attack and there are elements like the way they target the last ten minutes of test matches to really cut loose when they get the chance which are great, but against well drilled defenses they struggle, so if you are fit and well drilled then wales are not as devastating as they've been against Scotland and England in recent years for example.
Samoa are probably going to lose, mostly due to the referee's opinion of their dicipline and tackle technique. I can't see them keeping 15 men on the pitch without a stupendously well discipined performance. That would be my coaching mantra if I was in charge of Samoa. The ref WILL be out to get them, so play smart.
Posted 15:26 13th November 2012
7ton says...
heart_of_oak and APV1
Totally agree with
"These perpetual comparisons between SH and NH are boring, pointless, predictable, unhelpful, inaccurate, in a word - stupid"
"It's funny how some just want to make everything a NH : SH issue. What's wrong with it just being between two countries, not hemispheres?"
Well said and my thoughts exactly.
Even the AB's who I am a supporter of will sooner or later lose a game in one of their Autumn internationals but it wouldn't tip the world upside down.
Posted 11:55 13th November 2012
7ton says...
I wasn't at all surprised to see Argentina win. I did think Wales were slight favourites prior to the game but like most people who know a bit about the game realised the potential Argentina had to earn themselves a well deserved victory.
I would not call it an upset
Posted 11:34 13th November 2012
heart_of_oak says...
Wales are a good side with some great players but Argentina were better on the day. Simple as that.
I do think Argentina will benefit from playing the ABs, the Boks and Aussies and like Wallaroo, this could help to promote the game more in South America. But to draw conclusions about SH and NH levels of rugby from this match is way off. Ireland only just lost to the Boks and had several key players missing. A really brave effort that from the Irish. The French completely outclassed Australia. But in a year's time it could all be different. The only consistent trend I expect to see is the ABs winning all their games.
These perpetual comparisons between SH and NH are boring, pointless, predictable, unhelpful, inaccurate, in a word - stupid.
Why bother with it unless you've got some almighty chip on your shoulder.
Posted 09:00 13th November 2012
Pumastackle says...
ja gracias, en mi pobre ingles lo pude decir...
Posted 17:58 12th November 2012
APV1 says...
jonesy2 says...
"anyhow, the worst SH team beats the best NH team in the NH. sums it up the state of rugby pretty well."
Interesting. I don't remember England playing against Vanuatu this weekend (I appreciate that at the time of typing, France are now the top NH team, but at the time of playing England still were).
It's funny how some just want to make everything a NH : SH issue. What's wrong with it just being between two countries, not hemispheres?
Wales lost because Argentina were better. Simple enough?
Posted 16:36 12th November 2012
MarcosGGuti says...
¡Bien dicho, Pumastackle!
Well said, Pumastackle!
Posted 14:00 12th November 2012
Pumastackle says...
whenever Argentina plays and win or draw, you begin to say that SA, AUS, Wales played a bad game, they are a awful mess, etc.. It seems too coincidental that all bad play against Argentina? Some of you know the concept of pressure in rugby? tackle? stop underestimating Argentina, Wales played poorly because Pumas pressured, tackled and attacked from minute 1. It was not a lucky victory, we come from good world cups, we are a serious team, growing, Do you know that Tiesi, the guy that smashed J Roberts is amateur right now? he is playing in Buenos Aires, a lot of players of the current team are semi amateurs. If we fin again, against France, you will say that france is a poor team? I dont want to be arrogant, we are a humble country in rugby terms, but we have our pride too.
Cheers
Posted 12:37 12th November 2012
rugby_rockstar says...
Being English, My considered response to Argentina beating Wales in Cardiff is.... Muhuhuhahahahahaha! ;)
Posted 12:15 12th November 2012
Wallaroo says...
Well done Pumas, you have obviously benefited from playing in the Rugby Championship. Expect to see you rise in your performance and rankings over the next year, great to see - hopefully this will not only increase rugby's profile in Argentina but throughout South America.
Posted 12:36 11th November 2012
Heathy says...
Again this for me was a predicted result. Wales have been poor recently and individually have not been playing well domestically. This was a poor game. Argentina were not as god as they were in the Rugby Chapionship and if they were, this would have been a thrashing for Wales. Wales have got some serious work to do if they are to rescue this November series. Selection has also been along the 'blind faith' lines and without Adam Jones, the Welsh pack looks very ordinary. Garland needs to hurry back and sort this lot out sharpish.
Posted 10:45 11th November 2012
makemehappy says...
Can't believe the number of idiots who think the result wasn't an upset. As has already been noted, wales are ahead or argentina in the world rankings, plus stats favour home teams, plus wales have also been playing SH opposition (and could have won the last two games).
Well done Argentina though. Must admit it was a surprise and more so at half time as they looked completely contained. Not quite sure if Poite understands what forward passes or not straight throw ins are mind you!
A shame that there are so many injuries and players not finding form at the moment for Wales!
Posted 10:40 11th November 2012
mlbp says...
...or maybe Imhoff stands for
In My Humble Opinion, Formidable Find...
Posted 10:11 11th November 2012
mlbp says...
Imhoff stands for
In My Humble Opinion, Fine Fellow.
Great player indeed!
Pumas against France. That will be a cracking match!. So many pending issues between the two teams... Ibanez would love to play this one!
Posted 10:06 11th November 2012
ArmchairGeneral says...
To all those daft comments re Wales being 6n champs and Arg RC losers. France (3rd in 6n) just thrashed oz, RC 2nd and who drew vs NZ. An equally meaningless counter point just to show how daft it is making such statements. Clearly RC teams are usually better, but don't be silly. This is not a 6 nations vs RC competition and even if RC all beat everyone all the time 6nations is still the best tournament.
Posted 09:26 11th November 2012
Artherfish says...
Erm???? Worst Sh team beats best Nh team. Wonderful how you destort things to fit your world view. There are a lot of us up hear in the Nh who would argue Wales are not the best in the Nh. The competitive nature of Nh rugby is such that who is best changes monthly. It's not like the predictable, Nz, Oz,Bok,Pumas order down south. Having said that it looks like the Pumas will be sturing that pot soon and the wanabies (Lol) are not what they think they are. All this talk of clean sweeps . Rubish !! Honours even on Saturday.
Note Fiji sadly only a warm up for Eng and we must be on our guard against an Oz team with dented pride. "No such thing as second string teams in test match rugby" we were told when we were under stregnth so don't go saying it when it's your turn.
Posted 09:25 11th November 2012
Ramage says...
This win was not unexpected in fact I, along with many others, thought it was on the cards. The current Welsh team won the 6 Nations and deservedly so, in my opinion. Where have they gone from there? I believe, progressively downhill. Despite all the flood of tears from the valleys about the RWC they performed only moderately and on their tour of Australia were defeated by a weak Australian outfit 3-0. Many of their players are out of form or never recaptured the form of the 6 Nations. At that time the Welsh to started to believe the press hype and painted themselves as being much better than what they were. It will be interesting to see how they perform against the Australian side when they play them. The Argentinian match is a big wake up call for them. Can Howley bring them back on track?
Posted 09:07 11th November 2012
jonesy2 says...
even if it was an upset, it was the second or third one not first or did they play before france and australia?
anyhow, the worst SH team beats the best NH team in the NH. sums it up the state of rugby pretty well.
Posted 08:41 11th November 2012