Wales have got to start seizing autumn moment

Argentina may not seem the ideal opponents for a side that are without their two leading tighthead props but the weary Pumas and their large coterie of Europe-based players are trudging rather than marching.

Wales have not won an autumn international since 2009, a surprising statistic given their success in the Six Nations and World Cup since then, but Argentina have not beaten a tier one nation since their 26-12 triumph in Cardiff a year ago.

Rugby has become a year-round affair for their players because of the country’s presence in the Rugby Championship. They were already without their two talismans, Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe and Juan Martín Hernández, and their best finisher, Juan Imhoff, injured his ankle against England last week.

Wales have tended to struggle tactically in the autumn. Argentina last year was a typical example, playing too much in their own half and either getting turned over or forced to concede a penalty, never establishing a foothold.

Gallant in defeat
They were gallant in defeat against South Africa in a match of brutal ferocity last week and, while they lost four players to injury in the opening half, a lack of composure at vital moments – their perennial failing against the best of the southern hemisphere – cost them again.

Wales are not an inexperienced team. The prop Gethin Jenkins will win his 100th cap for his country against the Pumas (he has played in four Lions Tests) but injuries mean Warren Gatland can have a closer look at his strength in depth this weekend than the head coach would perhaps have wished. The absence of the Lions centres Jonathan Davies and Jamie Roberts has earned the 20-year-old Cory Allen his first cap.

“Cory is a classy player, very skilful,” said Sam Warburton, the Wales captain and a fellow Cardiff Blue. “He seems to have been born for the big time and I have no doubt that he will handle the occasion well.”

Gatland's frustration was evident at the end of the defeat by South Africa, another very close game against one of the southern hemisphere's big three going the wrong way. He is trying to rewrite history, with Wales having beaten New Zealand and the Springboks a total of four times in 108 years, but no longer are they easy-beats.

Recent dominance
The next step for Wales is to take their recent dominance in Europe to new boundaries. Argentina and then Tonga next Friday will be followed by Australia, a game Gatland's men need to win, not least because the Wallabies are in their World Cup group, along with the hosts, England. The problem, as South Africa showed, is mental, not physical.

Wales have recalled Dan Biggar at outhalf, the only one of the four changes Gatland made that was not enforced. He will be charged with ensuring the game is played in the Pumas' half and that quick ball is sent wide. Argentina struggled to cope with the pace England played at in the first half at Twickenham.

Wales have a mobile back row and, if they can avoid a scrum battle on the worn Millennium Stadium turf, should be able to play the game on their terms.

They will not fade like England did but they are not as adept as their rivals at seizing the moment. That has to change, starting today.
Guardian Service