Dragons fire then fade
18 Aug 2007
A knock on from Pumas prop MartÃn Durand in the final move of the match gave Wales a 27-20 win in Cardiff.
Durand appeared to have been driven over the tryline in the 80th minute after a series of Pumas’ attacks. The referee asked the TMO if there was a reason why the try could not be awarded and unfortunately for the visitors, there was. Argentina had fought their way back from a 24-7 deficit and will be gutted at having not snatched a deserved draw.
Wales made a nightmare start to the game when a flat pass from captain Gareth Thomas was intercepted by Ignacio Corleto who ran 40m to score. But the home side drew level when James Hook broke through a gap and allowed Thomas to make amends for his earlier blunder.
Wales went further ahead when Dwayne Peel took a quick penalty tap and passed to second-rower Alun-Wyn Jones who scored.
Minutes later, the Pumas gifted Wales their third try when fullback Federico Serra knocked on in midfield after a shocking pass from Agustin Pichot and the ball was hacked ahead. Two more kicks saw left wing Mark Jones win the race to the ball and Hook’s conversion made it 21-7. Argentina were then reduced to 14 men when right wing Lucas Borges was sent to the sin bin for tackling Kevin Morgan in the air.
Hook and Todeschini slotted penalties soon after the break, before the Pumas made it a 10-point ball game. Wales failed to find touch with a clearance and Borges split the defence with a storming run. He gave possession to Corleto who scored his second try.
The Pumas then brought themselves within striking range when a Todeschini penalty made it 27-20 with seven minutes to go. They finished the game deep inside Wales’ 22 but couldn’t make the pressure count.
Wales – Tries: Gareth Thomas, Alun-Wyn Jones, Mark Jones. Conversions: James Hook (3). Penalties: Hook (2).
Argentina — Tries: Ignacio Corleto (2). Conversions: Federico Todeschini (2). Penalties: Todeschini (2).
13 Comments
18 Aug 2007, 15:41 pm
1st
18 Aug 2007, 16:19 pm
Don’t cry for me Argentina.
Love to see the Welsh do well, true lovers of the game!
18 Aug 2007, 16:25 pm
Good news for Ireland.
C’mon Wales you can do Ireland a favour here and get our no. 5 world ranking back up where it belongs.
A little dent in the puma confidence is just what is needed. (With respect from an Irish point of view.
Wales showing up the weak defense of the Puma backs?
18 Aug 2007, 16:42 pm
27-17
No cakewalk for Wales. Argentina have a great offloading game and some very talented players.
18 Aug 2007, 17:12 pm
last chance for arg
18 Aug 2007, 17:38 pm
Welsh will not reach the final 8, I simply don’t think their pack is up to it.
18 Aug 2007, 17:45 pm
they will. the chances of Fiji beating them without Caucau are small
19 Aug 2007, 07:59 am
Wales and Argentina are both complete rubbish.
19 Aug 2007, 14:06 pm
#8 You need to calm down old fella. Argentina is getting stronger and stroner…one day they will beat the boks, especially if the africanisation of rugby takes place from 2008 onwards.
#7 Fiji would not beat Wales even with Caucau in the team…Caucau is a liability now with his lack of commitment and his overweight self.
19 Aug 2007, 15:37 pm
Fist visit to the millenium stadium,had a blast,bit unsure about having a stadium closed,if the guys play in rain,you watch in the rain.
20 Aug 2007, 10:56 am
Big Hit – I was impressed with the way the Pumas.
I was horrorified to see them lapse into mediocrity in the first half, they looked the pumas of old. But they did well to climb their wasy back into the game.
If they had not gone to sleep in the first half, Wales would have got thumped again
20 Aug 2007, 10:56 am
Big Hit – I was impressed with the way the Pumas.
I was horrorified to see them lapse into mediocrity in the first half, they looked the pumas of old. But they did well to climb their wasy back into the game.
If they had not gone to sleep in the first half, Wales would have got thumped again
20 Aug 2007, 10:56 am
Big Hit – I was impressed with the way the Pumas.
I was horrorified to see them lapse into mediocrity in the first half, they looked the pumas of old. But they did well to climb their wasy back into the game.
If they had not gone to sleep in the first half, Wales would have got thumped again
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