Wales 28 - 13 Argentina - Post Match Discussion

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BBC IPLAYER
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b013rl7k/Rugby_Union_2011_2012_Wales_v_Argentina/

Wales completed their World Cup warm-ups with a hard-fought win over Argentina at the Millennium Stadium.

Felipe Contepomi struck the opening penalty, but Wales were 14-3 ahead at the break though Andy Powell and Alun Wyn Jones tries.

James Hook added both conversions and two penalties before George North crossed.

Martin Scelzo went over for the Pumas late on, but Hook's late penalty sealed Wales' win.

Adam Jones impressed on his return to the Welsh front-row following a toe injury.

But another member of Wales' Jones contingent was not so fortunate with the hosts forced into a bench reshuffle before kick-off when Stephen Jones withdrew with a recurrence of his calf problem.

The fly-half had been set to become Wales' most-capped player, making his 101s appearance, but instead centre Scott Williams took his place amongst the replacements.

Contepomi had the first chance of points, but the Pumas captain sent the penalty kick across the face of the Wales posts.

A snap drop-goal also drifted wide as Argentina kept Wales pinned in their own half with some fierce first-up tackling.

But when Rodrigo Roncero was penalised for pulling down a scrum James Hook was able to kick Wales into the visitors' 22 for the first time.

A series of drives opened a gap on the right and Lee Byrne made the extra man to send the ball on to Leigh Halfpenny.

The wing, back in the side after a long-term ankle injury made for the corner, but was dragged down just short.

When Wales ere caught offside Cont was handed another penalty and this time sent the ball over the bar, although off the inside of a post.

But the A fly-half missed a third attempt soon after the half hour mark and Wales him pay with two tries in quick succession.

First Powell charged across the line when scrum-half Knoyle sniped around a ruck before linking with AWJ who sent his number eight away.

Then it was lock Jones' turn to cross after a 30-yard break by wing George North, the beneficiary of some hard driving by Dan Lydiate and quick hands from Jamie Roberts.

Hook converted both tries and Wales were able to scamper off at half-time with a healthy 14-3 lead.

The Wales fly-half added two penalties soon after the break when referee Romain Poite penalised the Pumas for wheeling a scrum and then hands in the ruck.

Contepomi kicked his second penalty to make it 20-6, but with the lead still comfortable Wales coach Warren Gatland opted to freshen things from the bench.

Among the arrivals was Cardiff Blues scrum-half Lloyd Williams to win his first cap, following in the footsteps of ex-Wales and British Irish Lions number nine Brynmor Williams.

Lloyd Williams replaced the excellent Knoyle who must surely have booked his World Cup place.

Another youngster, Opsreys flanker Justin Tipuric, also came on for his Test debut to replace the 35-year-old stand-in skipper Martyn Williams.

Cardiff Blues flanker Williams was winning his 99th cap and still hopeful of more at the World Cup.

Wales rubber stamped their dominance with a third try as Jonathan Davies' clever inside flick found North, who crashed over from close range.

Argentina rallied to threaten the Wales line in the dying moments, shoving replacement prop Martin Scelzo over.

Hook added a late penalty to make Wales' lead 28-13 and send them off to the 11 September clash with South Africa in good heart.

Wales are looking p-ss poor at the moment. Lineout is rubbish and no coherence in midfield. got to get it together. On the other hand Argentina look very good considering they're meant to be rusty. Already offered more creativity than England did in the whole of last weeks match.

Where has this view that Argentina are supposed to be "rusty" come from? Just because they haven't played in a while doesn't mean to say they wouldn't be able to get back into it. They have been training prior to this match, and like I said earlier, the rest has probably done them some good.

BATH_BTGOG wrote:I like Argentina from a rugby perspective they show everything that is wrong with the game in the NH, everything is over complecated and everyone is over coached.

C'mon Argentina.

As long as they stuff the english in NZ....I will be shouting the same.

This is getting very concerning for Wales. If Conteponi had his kicking boots on Wales would be in deep doo doo

oh dear another miss for the Dr. Argentina could've been 12 up now...

Cari pick up any newspaper/rugby mag and read it.

Come on, Wales! There's enough white in the Argie shirt for you to pretend it's England!

Big try for Wales. A bit lucky but taken well

Powell you beauty!!!!!

Golf cart power!

They listened...

Powell for RWC?.

eirebilly wrote:This is getting very concerning for Wales. If Conteponi had his kicking boots on Wales would be in deep doo doo

Same was said last week, but we won

Worry about your own failings

Great kick from Hook.

Welshjohn369, what is your problem?

Alun-Wyn Jones!
Ospreys Power!!!!

Powell will go I reckon Irish.

Bath - I don't read magazines/newspapers.

GO AWJ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fantastic from North

Great 3 minutes from Wales

eirebilly wrote:Great kick from Hook.

Welshjohn369, what is your problem?

No .... what's your problem? such deep do do huh

Well.... Wales asleep for 38 minutes, then score 2 tries in 2 minutes at the end of the half.... Sets us up nicely for the second half .

I think that i am just going to ignore you Welshjohn369. It seems your just trying to look for a fight. Silly keyboard warrior.

When you look at the domination that Argentina had in the first half its amazing that Wales are 11 points in front. I am really enjoying this game.

eirebilly wrote:I think that i am just going to ignore you Welshjohn369. It seems your just trying to look for a fight. Silly keyboard warrior.

When you look at the domination that Argentina had in the first half its amazing that Wales are 11 points in front. I am really enjoying this game.

Yes just like England last week aye.

Ignore me all you want, Come on France

wow didn't see that coming.

Cari
Training and playing are very different. You can train all you like but match fitness is so important

Yeah Billy, best to ignore. Wales just seemed to wake up after 37 minutes - they were asleep for a while. Hopefully they can keep it up now second half., but they can't afford to play like this in the RWC.

Cmon now eirebilly and Welshjohn chill out and enjoy the game lads

someone should tell the welsh team that a half is 40 minutes not 3 minutes!!!!!

Indeed thay cant Cari because they will get punished. They did take the two tries with aplomb though. It will be a very different second half now i feel, Wales will be alot more confident and may come out firing.

Seems to be pretty much what most of us said all through the week, Argentina last played a good match against Ireland in November 2010.
Frankly playing Uruguay, Chile and a South Americas XV and scoring 70 points each time is no practice for a good side, who can score on the half chance.

AlynDavies wrote:Cmon now eirebilly and Welshjohn chill out and enjoy the game lads

I am I am Welsh and not really bothered about idiotic comments by those who have no idea about the game.

Robert Jones, Keith Wood and Guscott are a great panel aren't they.
Much better than Barnes and Morris at Sky.

Everytime i watch North i cant help but feel that he is going to be one of the games greats.

Faraway - I wonder if it was Rob Jones jinxing them because he was saying at the start how Wales have been playing well for 80 minutes because of their fitness...

Alyn - I find Gussett can be a little too critical of Welsh players, but he's tolerable. Inverdale's a pain in the backside though. He'll find a way of mentioning Wilko in a bit...

welshjohn369 wrote:I am I am Welsh and not really bothered about idiotic comments by those who have no idea about the game.

Sure mate, I'm Welsh too, but there is no need to take such offence to an Irish poster who is simply giving an honest opinion.

Wales have been second best for 37 minutes and under pressure. But we knew Wales would come good at some point didn't we? Wales can turn it on from nothing and have been doing it for the last few years. none of us were panicking...

BRB need to change underpants!

Who's picking their inflight movies and who's planning a late summer holiday?

North looked nervous early but set up that try brilliantly.
Williams looks off the place and could end up stuck on 99, hope Tipuric gets some good time.
Knoyle looks a bit too flaky to be second choice at a world cup, why have they messed Peel around so much.
Lineout shocking, Hibbard or jumpers/lifters t blame?
Powell pretty quiet apart from try which was well very supported.
Adam Jones, legend.
Who's going to be fullback, Byrne looks quiet.

Welshjohn - just because someone gives an opinion that you don't agree with, doesn't mean to say that they've no idea about the game.

I am also not a great fan of Gessett as a pundit. He is overly biased in my opinion

Right! Wales need to start well in this second half. A score early on will help immensly.

[quote="welshjohn369"]

eirebilly wrote:
Same was said last week, but we won

Worry about your own failings

Whats with the criticism police riding into town,

The guy made a rather mild and obvious observation. Pretty much what BBC panelists went on to say at half time.

If you dont like that we can have another thread with some fantasy opinions. Then the rest of us can remain here and exchanged reasoned discussion

Williams does look off the pace, what is worrying me a lot is Argentina are winning the race to the loose ball on the floor, Wales have pretty much won that area in most games for years, so to be losing it to this team is worrying.

I'm not sure Argentina will tire either because most of these players play in France, so should in theory be fitter than ours, because they play a higher week in, week out standard.

AlynDavies wrote:

welshjohn369 wrote:I am I am Welsh and not really bothered about idiotic comments by those who have no idea about the game.

Sure mate, I'm Welsh too, but there is no need to take such offence to an Irish poster who is simply giving an honest opinion.

Wales have been second best for 37 minutes and under pressure. But we knew Wales would come good at some point didn't we? Wales can turn it on from nothing and have been doing it for the last few years. none of us were panicking...

BRB need to change underpants!

No offence I give an honest opinion in return. If you do not like it ignore it.

welshjohn369 wrote:

No offence I give an honest opinion in return. If you do not like it ignore it.

Practice what you preach

Ridiculous forward pass from Argentina. Totally releases any pressure they were building.

OMG a pink cowgirl hat

Superb scrum from Wales

i am a fan of alun wyn jones but quick question, why does he wear a scrum cap if he's gonna take it off after 10 minutes?

ooh a bit of handbags, nothing like the 1990s... But they're getting rattled...

AlynDavies wrote:Williams does look off the pace, what is worrying me a lot is Argentina are winning the race to the loose ball on the floor, Wales have pretty much won that area in most games for years, so to be losing it to this team is worrying.

I'm not sure Argentina will tire either because most of these players play in France, so should in theory be fitter than ours, because they play a higher week in, week out standard.

Especially after Warburtons performances this year. Without his quickness on the floor is Martyn worth it. Hurts me to say it though.

I think the fitness based on ages will show through and just the half gaps for Hook, North and Halfers to exploit should show through.

welshjohn369 wrote:OMG a pink cowgirl hat

If all else fails, resort to sexist insults eh? Very intelligent...you don't know who I am, you know nothing about me, so don't try and stereotype me.

Thankfully the Foe button works on here now!

lee byrne!!!!!!!!

Sadly i feel that Williams is playing his way out of the squad.

Cari, seriously just ignore him. He hasnt made one comment on thegame, just abusive comments towards other posters.

My word a touch of paranoia popping on in now tch tch.

I have Billy - the Foe button is our friend