Pumas Well-Beaten By Clinical Wales

By Helen ‘Helzbach’ Davies

Following the disappointment of last week, it was the Argentinian Pumas’ scalp that the Welsh were hoping to gain this weekend. A year ago, the Pumas demonstrated just how strong a rugby team they are, claiming the victory in the Millennium Stadium.

Enforced replacements due to the injuries of Jonathan Davies, Adam Jones, Dan Lydiate and Scott Andrews saw Gatland making four changes from last week’s starting XV, including a new cap for Centre Cory Allen. The controversial number 10 shirt was claimed by Dan Biggar, ahead of Rhys Priestland, always the plan, with James Hook reportedly starting next Friday’s game against Tonga. Each staking their claim for the jersey against Australia, though, Hook is unavailable due to domestic French duties.

Jonathan Davies in particular has stolen the headlines this week, following the announcement that he will leave the Scarlets at the end of the season after signing a 2 year contract with French Giants Clermont Auvergne. This move has caused great discussion among supporters regarding the WRU’s actions to halt the current French Exodus, particularly as the WRU themselves made a ruling that only players currently playing in Wales would be considered for selection for the National Team.

The Welsh and Argentinians have met on fourteen previous occasions, with the Welsh being victorious in 9 games, though with their current Autumn Internationals record, together with the disappointment of last week’s loss, this game was by no means a clear cut result.

Fittingly for this game played during the month of ‘Movember’, the Welsh team were sporting a small purple smiley face on their jerseys in support of former Welsh and Scarlets captain, Matthew ‘Smiler’ Rees who is currently undergoing treatment for testicular cancer.

An historic day for Prop Gethin Jenkins, he had the honour of leading out the Welsh team for his 100th cap, only the third player to have achieved this.

It was the home team that started with all the possession, however play was very lateral and no real ground was made as the Argentinian defence held firm.

Wales demonstrated their intent early on, choosing to run an easily kickable penalty rather than take the three points.

Leigh Halfpenny, who has reportedly joined the Welsh exodus to France, did get points on the board a matter of minutes later with his first successful penalty of the afternoon to give the Welsh a 3 point to 0 lead.

The visitors’ first visit into the Welsh 22 ended in a great try for Wales. An interception from Scrum Half Mike Phillips, superbly supported by former Scarlet George North who accepted a well-timed dummy pass resulted in Phillips sprinting 80 metres to cross the white wash, with North jogging alongside! Halfpenny added the extras to give Wales a 10 point to 0 advantage.

Seconds later Wales were down to 14 men, as referee Lacey ignored linesman Steve Walsh’s advice to take advantage of the TMO before sin binning Justin Tipuric for taking a man out without the ball.

With the subsequent penalty hitting the post and ricocheting back, the Pumas were offered a dangerous attacking position; however they were unable to take advantage of both the field position or the man advantage despite good angles of running.

Halfpenny increased the Welsh lead with another well-stuck penalty from just inside the Argentinian half to bring the score to 13 points to 0.

It took a full 21 minutes of play before the first scrum of the match, just as Tipuric returned to the game. Biggar kicked for field position following a penalty off the scrum and George North gratefully accepted an inside pass from Mike Phillips to break through the forwards and cross for Wales’ second try under the posts. Halfpenny’s conversion further increased Wales’ lead to 20 points to 0.

Argentina’s first points of the afternoon came from the kicking boots of Outside Half Nicolas Sanchez to slightly close the gap to 20 points to 3.

Halfpenny’s third penalty kick was the last of the half. Trickier than the others, he still saw it sail through the centre of the posts as the Welsh ran in for the half time 23 points to 3 ahead.

A great break from Scott Williams had the crowd in full voice at the start of the second half; however George North, who was involved in the move twice, was unable to finish and score the try. Halfpenny, however, continued with his 100% kicking record to further increase the Welsh lead to 26 points to 3.

Sanchez was offered the opportunity for a second chance following a poor attempt at a Drop Goal; however he was on target with his penalty to double his and Argentina’s tally – 26 points to 6.

Surprisingly, Halfpenny missed his first kick of the match minutes later, possibly one of his easiest kicks of the game. However, normal service was resumed soon after as he converted Toby Faletau’s try. A great run on the wing from Liam Williams saw him pass inside to the supporting Faletau who sprinted over the white wash to increase the home team’s lead to 33 points to 6.

The move was almost replicated moments later, with Williams again sprinting down the touch line; however the try was just one pass short of being scored.

Replacement Hooker, Scarlets’ Ken Owens claimed Wales’ fourth try following an immense forward effort from the line out which saw the pack drive through the Argentinian defence. Halfpenny’s conversion brought the home team’s score to the 40 points to the Puma’s 6, hopefully securing Wales’ first Autumn Series win for four years, ironically, since they beat Argentina in 2009.

It was another proud Scarlets moment following Ken’s try as Prop Samson Lee come off the bench for his 1st cap for his country. However, his debut didn’t end well as he was harshly yellow carded just over a minute before full time for not retreating.

It was a confident Wales that ended the game 40 points to 6 following an outstanding, clinical performance that saw the home team demonstrate their superior fitness in the second half.