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.

That said and Williams comes up with a brilliant turnover

I think Williams still has a place in the squad yet....and i would like to see him get his 100th cap.

Is Gatland getting better at half time talks? This seems like a new Wales, I get the feeling they are building upward momentum just as they did in the England game.

Perhaps he is Rugbynab, although I would've thought the team were encouraged by the two tries in the 37th minute

I really like the guy Cari, his work on the ground is still very much world class but he is loosing that pace. I hope he goes because he deserves the 100 caps.

would like to see him get the 100 and he looks to be livlier this half, probably knows he's off in a bit.

Excuse me, where is the ignore button on this forum, I wish to block that Troll?

Good call to go for touch then. Keep the Argies under pressure...


Win the line out though

Hmmm...I would've thought they'd go for the points then...and they bhugger up the line out...

rugbynab wrote:Excuse me, where is the ignore button on this forum, I wish to block that Troll?

Rugbynab - go into your profile and you'll see a tab called "Friends and Foes", scroll down and type the username you want to block in the box that asks you to add the name.

after this line-out, rich hibbard is definitely colour blind

Good kick Jimbo!

OMG!! What happened to AWJ there!? That landing looked awful!!

This is much better from Wales now. Starting to suffocate Argentina .

Oohhh that will hurt

Oh no I really hope AWJ is OK...jeeesss that looked awful. Lobbe in the bin anyway.

Letter of the law says yellow for that so Argentina cant complain. Stupidity more than malice though.

Cari, He is a very experienced manager and has seen it all, yet he seems a quieter in the build up to this world cup. Over the last 3 matchs Wales dont seem to have paniced and there is a sense of progression accross all matches.

As Eire mentioned there are elements to be concerned with but the attitude seems right and It would make you hopeful they will address issues in a manner that will fix them

Hibbard's having a shocker.

Lobbe off for Argentina, Wales need to take advantage and bury them now.

Cari wrote:

rugbynab wrote:Excuse me, where is the ignore button on this forum, I wish to block that Troll?

Rugbynab - go into your profile and you'll see a tab called "Friends and Foes", scroll down and type the username you want to block in the box that asks you to add the name.

Thank you, The Troll is now confined under his bridge. I love the increased moderation of this forum over the old 606.

Cari wrote:Hibbard's having a shocker.

Yes his lineout throwing is pathetic to be honest.
No excuse either, he has Alun-Wyn Jones to throw to, which is his usual target for the Ospreys and James and Jones supporting him as props.
Poor play and not good enough for Wales on this showing.

You're welcome Rugbynab. It's a useful facility because you don't see their posts and they can't PM you.

Hmmm, a bit of shifting about again. Brew on for Byrne.

WOW great stuff, you can avoid pink cowgirl hats and other idiots here ....good stuff

Williams is playing alot better this half.

Simple phase play by Argentina eating up the minutes for the binning.

Good point on BBC on the quality of Alwyn Jones, very good in Open play.

rugbynab 5 posts nice one sonny:)

If the Puma's score when they're a man down though...

Afternoon Cari, Eirebilly and everyone

Just getting ready for our big game, whilst watch some great play from Wales at the moment.

One or two things to notice on this live stream, one some good comments from sensible poster like billy and cari who know a fair bit about rugby, then you have the equivalent of the pink cowboy hat wummer who is just offensive in welshjohn369. Amzing comments that he has the gall to call Cari that , when we all know she is very knowledgable poster

Before I leave quick summary.
Byrne is not playing well, and should not go based on his 60mins, you have got to try 1/2p at FB come on Gatland try it out. AWJ (not one of favs) has had a superb game, as had Powel. Finally Knoyle has shown what he can do excellent game

How did Williams give away the penalty there? he was on his feet and the ball was on the top of the maul, he was allowed to take it...

Lloyd Williams making his debut for Wales

Cheers Flyhalf - good to see you. I'm looking forward to the Irish game too

How long left on Lobbe's binning?

AlynDavies wrote:How did Williams give away the penalty there? he was on his feet and the ball was on the top of the maul, he was allowed to take it...

The referee had just said no hands. Should have been yellow carded for a professional foul in that position

Afternoon flyhalffactory. Its going to be a craker later.... I hope .

Argentina have not played badly and i feel that if they play like this against England at the RWC then they will cause England quite a few problems.

nottins wrote:The referee had just said no hands. Should have been yellow carded for a professional foul in that position

Yes but the ball was literally there to be taken off the top of the ruck, it was off the floor, you only have "no hands" in a ruck when it's on the floor and behind the hind foot of an opposition player.

Good to see Tipuric on as well - he's also getting his first Welsh cap

Lobbe back on.

Alyn, will you also be making a thread for the Ireland - France game?

Hook has been unusually quiet this match, played very well though.

I didnt think Knoyle had that great a time. A couple of good moments but a few times things could have been sharper. May be due to the Argies disrupting the breakdown though.

Goodto see Scott Williams coming on, he will add something to the Wales attack.

eirebilly wrote:Alyn, will you also be making a thread for the Ireland - France game?

Hook has been unusually quiet this match, played very well though.

Yup I put a thread up, will have a hunt for a stream on the Irish TV websites after the Wales game

Kiwireddevil wrote:
All, just a reminder to keep it civil. If I have to leave off watching the ABs vs SA game to quiet this thread down I'll be in a grumpy mood

Kiwi - no bother mate. Foe button is our friend

Alyn - I would've thought that the BBC will stream it live like this one, but obviously that won't be available to viewers outside the UK. Otherwise it's something like P2P...

AlynDavies wrote:

eirebilly wrote:Alyn, will you also be making a thread for the Ireland - France game?

Hook has been unusually quiet this match, played very well though.

Yup I put a thread up, will have a hunt for a stream on the Irish TV websites after the Wales game

I think the beeb might be showing it.

Thats a nasty looking gash on Williams' head.

How many scrums have actually been completed today?

Fair play to Wales at least their trying for tries instead of kicking penalties.

Fairdo's to Jimbo, his kicking has been spot on today.

Yeah that was a nasty cut on Nugget's noggin.

TRY!!!

Yeah the Beeb are showing it.

Wales must score here...... North does

George north you beauty
If he keeps playing like this he may be good enough for the Ospreys one day!

Ah no! Me and my big gob!