A beaten Welsh team with the determination to win face an Argentinian team coming off a resounding victory in Japan. This looks to make for a tough and close match.
RECENT FORM
WALES:
After suffering a real beating in their own home, the Welsh team must stand up and win a difficult game against the Pumas. Last weekend the Welsh had one of their worst performances in recent years and were outclassed by the Wallabies in all facets of the game. This performance generated much disappointment and concern among their followers, because of this result the Welsh lost two positions in the world rankings, which means a poor position in the face of the draw of the pools for the next World Cup in May of next year.
The last time they met in Cardiff in November 2013, the Welsh won by 40-15. Today things are different and the European set will have to show their best game to beat these Pumas.
ARGENTINA:
After a tough Rugby Championship where they only won one game (at home vs South Africa) the Pumas were able to leave the nightmare and faced a more earthly rival, Japan. The Latinos overcame the Japanese in Tokyo putting on a great performance, with all kinds of tries and very dynamic play. The Argie tries were scored by Matias Moroni (2), Nicolas Sanchez (2), Santiago Cordero (2) and Tomas Cubelli and were a true exhibition of running rugby.
Due to this victory with more than 15 points difference and thanks to the big Aussie victory over Wales, the Pumas advanced 3 places in the world ranking, moving from ninth to sixth place, being one of the teams with the biggest advance in the rankings. The Argentinians will look to repeat the performance of 2012 when they overcame Wales in Cardiff for the last time, with a great performance by Juan Imhoff, a key player who cannot be chosen by head coach Daniel Hourcade due to the UAR’s selection policies.
TEAM NEWS
WALES:
The Welsh have made six changes to their starting line-up for Saturday’s clash with Argentina in Cardiff due to some injuries and the disastrous performance of the team last weekend. Sam Warburton, Jonathan Davies, Alun Wyn Jones and Liam Williams who all missed the clash against the Wallabies are included, whilst Gareth Davies and Tomas Francis both earn starts against los Pumas. Alun Wyn Jones returns to the side after missing last Saturday due to personal reasons and he partners Luke Charteris in the second row. Injury to Bradley Davies sees him drop out of the match day 23. Sam Warburton returns from injury to join Justin Tipuric and Ross Moriarty in the backrow.
ARGENTINA
Pumas head coach Daniel Hourcade has made three changes to face Wales in Cardiff. Juan Martin Hernandez, Pablo Matera and Ramiro Moyano return to the starting XV while Santiago Cordero drops down to the bench, as does Tomás Lezana. Hourcade believes that this is the ideal team to beat the Welsh and give some players rest after a long year for the Argentine team with so many competitions together since February, when the Super Rugby tournament started.
PREDICTION
Undoubtedly the blow last week has been very hard for the Welsh, so they are forced to play with a different attitude to return the joy to their crowd and recover places in the World Rugby ranking. However I do not think it will be enough to beat Argentina, who arrive with great confidence after their victory in the land of the rising sun. In a very even match, the kickers will define the winner of the game.
The Pumas by 2.
TEAM LISTS
Wales: 15 Leigh Halfpenny, 14 George North, 13 Jonathan Davies, 12 Scott Williams, 11 Liam Williams, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Gareth Davies, 8 Ross Moriarty, 7 Justin Tipuric, 6 Sam Warburton, 5 Alun Wyn Jones, 4 Luke Charteris, 3 Tomas Francis, 2 Ken Owens, 1 Gethin Jenkins (c)
Replacements: 16 Scott Baldwin, 17 Nicky Smith, 18 Samson Lee, 19 Cory Hill, 20 James King, 21 Lloyd Williams, 22 Gareth Anscombe, 23 Jamie Roberts
Argentina: 15 Joaquín Tuculet, 14 Matías Moroni, 13 Matías Orlando, 12 Juan Martín Hernández, 11 Ramiro Moyano, 10 Nicolás Sánchez, 9 Martín Landajo, 8 Facundo Isa, 7 Javier Ortega Desio, 6 Pablo Matera, 5 Matías Alemanno, 4 Guido Petti, 3 Ramiro Herrera, 2 Agustín Creevy (c), 1 Lucas Noguera
Replacements: 16 Julián Montoya, 17 Santiago García Botta, 18 Enrique Pieretto, 19 Leonardo Senatore, 20 Tomás Lezana, 21 Tomás Cubelli, 22 Santiago Gonzalez Iglesias, 23 Santiago Cordero
Match Details
Date: Saturday, November 12
Venue: Principality Stadium, Cardiff
Kick-off: 17:30 GMT (4:30am AEDT)
Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
Assistant Referees: Mike Fraser (New Zealand), Luke Pearce (England)
TMO: Shaun Davey (England)
