Test Rugby: Argentina in Wales

21.11.2009
Argentina v Wales in Cardiff

Venue: Millennium Stadium

Referee: George Clancey (Ireland)

Preview
This test match could well be one of the closest of the weekend.

Argentina went down to England 9-16 in a dull game last weekend, whilst Wales struggled to overcome Samoa 17-13. Argentina posses, along with Italy, one of the most feared test packs. And like Italy they struggle in the backs, with many of their stalwart players not available or retired.

Wales will be desperate for this win. They bring back a number of experienced players who did not play v Samoa. Stephan Jones, Shane Williams, Martyn Williams and Duncan Jones are household names, and shore up the Welsh team.

Last Five Encounters
18.08.2007 Wales 27-20 in Cardiff (World Cup Warm up)
17.06.2006 Argentina 45-27 in Buenos Aires
11.06.2006 Argentina 27-25 in Puerto Madryn
19.06.2004 Wales 35-20 in Buenos Aires
12.06.2004 Argentina 50-44 in Tucaman

GWC Rugby Rankings: World Table-Argentina 7th, Wales 8th

Prediction: Wales will falter in the forwards. Argentina by 3 points

Teams

Wales
15 James Hook (Neath Swansea Ospreys) Age 24, 35 tests
14 Leigh Halfpenny (Cardiff Blues) 20, 8
13 James Roberts (Cardiff Blues) 22, 14
12 Jonathan Davies (Llanelly Scarlets) 21, 3
11 Shane Williams (Neath Swansea Ospreys) 32, 66
10 Stephan Jones (Llanelly Scarlets) 31, 81
9 Gareth Cooper (Gloucester, England) 30, 43
8 Ryan Jones, Capt. (Neath Swansea Ospreys) 28, 34
7 Martyn Williams (Cardiff Blue) 34, 89
6 Andrew Powell (Cardiff Blues) 28, 10
5 Luke Charteris (Newport Gwent Dragons) 25, 16
4 Alun-Wyn Jones (Neath Swansea Ospreys) 24, 33
3 Paul James (Neath Swansea Ospreys) 25, 3
2 Matthew Rees (Llanelly Scarlets) 28, 32
1 Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues) 28, 70
Replacements
16 Huw Bennett (Neath Swansea Ospreys) 25, 25
17 Duncan Jones (Neath Swansea Ospreys) 31, 55
18 Jonathan Thomas (Neath Swansea Ospreys) 26, 47
19 Duncan Lydiate (Newport gwent Dragons) 21, New cap
20 Dwayne Peel (Sale Sharks, England) 28, 70
21 Andrew Bishop (Neath Swansea Ospreys) 24, 6
22 Thomas James (Cardiff Blues) 22, 6
Head Coach: Warren Gatland

Argentina
15 Horacio Agulla (Brive, France)
14 Lucas Borges (Albi, France)
13 Gonzalo Tiesi (Harlequins, England)
12 Martin Rodriguez (Rosario)
11 Mauro Comuzzi (Pucara)
10 Santiago Fernandez (Hindu)
9 Agustin Figuerola (Club Atletico San Isidro)
8 Juan Fernandez Lobbe, Capt. (Toulon, France)
7 Alfredo Abadie (Rovigo, Italy)
6 Tomas Leonardi (San Isidro Club)
5 Patricio Albacete (Toulouse, France)
4 M Sambucetti (Bristol, England)
3 Martin Scelzo (Clermont Auvergne, France)
2 Mario Ledesma (Clermont Auvergne, France)
1 Rodrigo Roncero (Stade Francais, France)
Replacements:
16 Alberto Vernet Basualdo (Toulouse, France)
17 Marcos Ayerza (Leicester Tigers, England)
18 Manuel Carizza (Biarritz, France)
19 Alejandro Campos (Montauban, France)
20 Alfredo Lalanne (London Irish, England)
21 Benjamin Urdapilleta (C.U.B.A.)
22 Federico Martin Aramburu (Dax, France)
Head Coach: Santiago Phelan