Argentina turn the screw after early scare to see off Wales
Argentina recovered from a shaky opening to beat Wales 35-21 in Round 2 of the Nations Championship at Estadio San Juan del Bicentenario, a win that lifts the Pumas to third in the southern group and leaves Wales fifth in the northern section after their opening-round victory over Fiji.
It was a first-half arm wrestle that Argentina eventually broke open, then managed with authority after the break. Wales made them work for it in the early exchanges, but once the hosts found their rhythm through the forwards and in the wider channels, the game gradually slipped away from the visitors.
A frantic start
Wales could hardly have asked for a better opening. Dewi Lake crashed over inside the first three minutes, Sam Costelow converted, and the visitors led 7-0 before Argentina had properly settled.
The response was quick. Joaquin Oviedo got the hosts on the board on five minutes, Tomas Albornoz converting, and by the 14th minute Justo Piccardo had added a second for a 14-7 lead. Wales stayed in touch when Rhys Carre forced his way over on 23 minutes, with Costelow again on target to level things at 14-14.
That was as good as it got for Wales. The closing stages of the half belonged to Argentina.
The spell that settled it
The match turned in the closing minutes before the break. Marcos Kremer barged over on 34 minutes, and four minutes later full-back Santiago Carreras finished off a move to make it 26-14. Albornoz added both conversions, and Argentina went in 28-14 ahead.
Oviedo's second try shortly after the restart, again converted by Albornoz for 35-14, effectively ended the contest. From there Argentina controlled the game, and Wales never found a route back into genuine contention until Ben Warren's late try narrowed the margin.
The underlying numbers back up the shape of the game. Argentina made 12 clean breaks to Wales's one and beat 31 defenders to eight. Wales, by contrast, were left doing most of the defending, making 209 tackles to Argentina's 164 and missing 31 in the process.
Argentina's standouts
Oviedo was the obvious headline act. The number eight scored twice, carried 20 times for 98 metres and beat six defenders, giving Argentina consistent go-forward.
- Joaquin Oviedo – two tries, 20 carries, 98 metres, six defenders beaten
- Santiago Carreras – a try, 15 carries, 57 metres and three clean breaks from full-back
- Justo Piccardo – a try, 15 carries and 52 metres in midfield
- Mateo Carreras – 54 metres and two clean breaks before being replaced just after the hour
Albornoz was faultless off the tee, landing all five conversions, and the pack laid a solid platform with a full return at scrum time and 13 of 14 lineouts secured.
Where it went wrong for Wales
The bright start counted for little once they conceded 21 unanswered points either side of half-time, and 14 in a row before the break. Wales' problem was clear enough in the numbers: too many missed tackles and not enough control once Argentina began to stretch them. They could not slow the hosts' momentum through the middle part of the match, and their attack struggled to build sustained pressure after Carre's try made it 14-14.
There was effort, and no shortage of it. Jac Morgan was everywhere, topping the tackle count with 23 and adding a clean break, while James Botham put in a heavy shift with 15 carries and 18 tackles. Dewi Lake also made 18 tackles alongside his try. The trouble for Wales was that so much of that work came without the ball.
The late try from replacement Ben Warren, converted by Costelow, gave the scoreline a slightly kinder look at 35-21, but it did not change the overall picture.
What it means
Argentina move to six points and third in the southern group, and will feel they have found their footing after the opening-round loss to Scotland. Next up is England, who arrive after a heavy win over Fiji.
Wales, beaten here after their win over Fiji, next face South Africa. On this evidence, there is plenty to tighten up defensively before then.
A deserved win for the Pumas, built on accuracy, power and sharper finishing once the game settled.