Wales Humbled By Argentina As Steve Tandy Witnesses Scale Of Task Ahead

The commencement of a caller Welsh rugby section near fans reference nan aforesaid aged story, Argentina claiming their biggest ever triumph complete nan hosts and consigning Wales to their 19th conclusion successful 20 Tests.

Welsh supporters had hoped nan squad had turned a page successful nan summertime aft they ended their losing streak pinch a triumph complete Japan and had since fixed nan reins to their caller caput coach, Steve Tandy. But it’s clear location is still a batch of activity to do to get this erstwhile formidable Wales squad backmost to its glory days.

Alongside their torrid form, discussions will beryllium focused connected nan Wales centre Ben Thomas aft he escaped a reddish card. Thomas was being held successful a ruck and kicked a limb towards Pablo Matera’s head, for which he was shown a yellowish card. The incident was referred to bunker reappraisal but remained astatine nan misdeed bin threshold, nan truth he did not make interaction pinch Matera’s caput a ample portion of nan logic why. However, nan determination was heavy discussed pinch nan erstwhile referee Nigel Owens putting nan lawsuit guardant connected S4C that Thomas should not person moreover had a yellowish card, while galore fans believed nan reward should person seen him shown a consecutive red.

Tandy said of nan incident: “There is not a existent perspective that I person seen that is conclusive to what it is. I deliberation location is tons going on. If it is lashing out, you can’t do that. But besides erstwhile I americium looking astatine it successful a broader sense, location is simply a batch of holding connected nan level truthful if you are trying to free yourself [that tin happen]. We will astir apt get a due perspective truthful I tin measure it better.”

The consequence was not nan only bad news for Wales arsenic their stalwart captain, Jac Morgan, who was nan team’s brightest spark, dislocated his enarthrosis successful nan process of scoring a try. Tandy confirmed nan back-row was “not looking bully for nan remainder of nan autumn” and that they would beryllium calling personification other up.

There were immoderate affirmative aspects to Wales’ game, predominantly done Morgan and nan full-back Blair Murray, but different encouraging item for Wales was nan return of Louis Rees-Zammit. The helping near rugby successful early 2024 to prosecute his NFL dream but came backmost to rugby successful August, signing for Bristol Bears. He has been struggling pinch wounded which meant his return astatine nan Principality Stadium was 1 arsenic a replacement disconnected of nan bench. The 24-year-old, whose past Test quality came against Argentina successful nan 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter-final, came connected successful nan 45th infinitesimal and he brought immoderate much-needed voracity successful attack.

Jac Morgan dislocates his enarthrosis successful nan process of scoring a effort for Wales, pinch Steve Tandy saying he was: ‘not looking bully for nan remainder of nan autumn’. Photograph: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans/Shutterstock

For Argentina, nan winger Mateo Carreras was a prima each day and was astatine nan bosom of everything bully nan visitors produced.

Chatter connected trains pre-game underlined nan unit this squad is under. Two groups of fans met connected a packed carriage and started talking astir caller results. “It’s embarrassing isn’t it,” 1 said, while nan different replied: “I know, you don’t for illustration to opportunity you’re Welsh sometimes.” Thousands of quiet seats astatine nan Principality Stadium was further grounds of really galore Welsh fans presently consciousness astir their team.

The tile was firmly shut, blocking retired nan bedewed upwind and amplifying voices, and nan anthems ignited a tantalising atmosphere. Argentina were retired of nan blocks quickly pinch 2 sensational tries but Wales levelled nan scores done Tomos Williams and nan hooker Dewi Lake, which had supporters successful a afloat chorus of “Wales, Wales, Wales.” However, those chants were soon muted erstwhile Argentina regained their lead aft Thomas’ yellowish card.

The hosts needed to beryllium nan adjacent to people but a stop-start tally vanished disconnected a effort for nan helping Bautista Delguy, which strengthened Argentina’s grip connected nan game. A misdeed bin for Williams for an off-the-ball tackle saw Wales reduced again but Morgan scored next. However, it was nan visitors who polished disconnected nan crippled pinch 2 much tries.

There are immoderate caveats to this result. It was Tandy’s first crippled successful complaint and it will return clip to alteration Wales’ fortunes. It was besides nan hosts’ first crippled since July, while Argentina person immoderate miles successful their legs aft competing successful nan Rugby Championship. Only clip will show really agelong specified caveats excuse results and Tandy faces his adjacent trial connected Saturday erstwhile his squad faces Japan.