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Wales player ratings vs Argentina | Autumn Nations Series
Wales player ratings:Wales looked to bounce back from an Autumn Nations Series drubbing against New Zealand when they tackled Argentina in Cardiff.
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Head coach Wayne Pivac made three personnel changes following that 55-23 defeat seven days ago, calling up wing Alex Cuthbert, prop Dillon Lewis and flanker Dan Lydiate.
An intriguing positional switch saw Louis Rees-Zammit moved from wing to full-back, but Argentina were without captain Julian Montoya due to a rib injury, so Agustin Creevy deputised at hooker and number eight Pablo Matera took over as skipper.
1. Gareth Thomas – 7
Had the better of his opposite number in the first half, earning Wales a penalty at the set-piece. Made a couple of key clean-outs in the early stages of the second half to secure Wales’ ball. Didn’t shirk his defensive duties. Off in the 61st minute.
2. Ken Owens – 8
Carted the ball up regularly in the first half. Came within inches of scoring but had the ball dislodged as he fell over the line. Managed to hold up an almost certain Pumas try seconds after being wrong-footed by Juan Martin Gonzalez. Defended furiously, making a couple of nice hits in open play. Didn’t hit all his lineout targets but rarely faltered.
3. Dillon Lewis – 7
Put in a massive shift. Disrupted plenty of Pumas ball in the early stages of the match but was penalised for attempting to do the same in the second 40. Pinged inside Argentina’s 22 at scrum time for over-extending, relieving some pressure on the Pumas and copped a similar penalty in the second half. Off in the 75th minute.
4. Will Rowlands – 6
Threw himself into countless breakdowns, helping to build Wales’ phase count, and led the way defensively. A wee brain explosion in the 56th minute saw him yellow-carded for slapping the ball out of Gonzalez Bertranou’s hands while he was on the floor, but it didn’t prove costly for Wales. Off in the 73rd minute with an injury.
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5. Adam Beard – 7
Combined well with his locking partner to do all the dirty work needed to build momentum. Secured an important breakdown penalty just metres out from the Wales line in the early stages of the second stanza. Penalised for diving on the ball at the breakdown. Originally the main lineout target for his side but couldn’t take the delivery five metres out from the Argentina line, forfeiting an attacking opportunity. Off in the 70th minute.
6. Dan Lydiate – 4
Wasn’t able to have any influence on the match before he left the park with a nasty-looking injury. Off in the 28th minute.
7. Justin Tipuric – 7
Did the dowdy stuff, hitting breakdowns and making countless tackles, but offered nothing with the ball in hand. The money-man at lineout time when Wales needed to secure the ball. Pinged for incorrect entry to a lineout maul and then for creeping up offside when Argentina were on the attack.
8. Taulupe Faletau – 7
Didn’t have the best opening 15 minutes. Stayed in support of the speed merchants in the backline when Louis Reese-Zammit made his first break of the match, but couldn’t get a clean offload away, turning over the ball. His inability to roll away from the breakdown prevented a Wales turnover when the Pumas were hot on attack, and ultimately gifted Argentina three points. He then cost his side another three points when he crept up offside at a lineout maul. Built into the game as time went on, however, and put his hand up to truck the ball forward. Grabbed the first try of the match, tumbling over from a five-metre lineout drive. Pinged at the beginning of the last quarter for kicking through the ball at the breakdown – though it was a close call. Shifted to lock for the final 10.
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9. Tomos Williams – 9
Distributed sharply and played with zip. Won a kicking duel for Wales at the end of the first quarter, sending the ball deep into the Argentinian half from inside his own 22. A great follow-up to his own kick early in the second half allowed him to charge down the return attempt, and he pounced for Wales’ second try of the evening.
What a solo try from Tomos Williams ? #WALvARG pic.twitter.com/L2Rb5bLLZC
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 12, 2022
10. Gareth Anscombe – 5
A mixed bag, particularly off the boot. Miskicked an attempted up-and-under towards the end of the first quarter which ended Wales’ first set of consistent phases on attack. A pin-point kick into the corner handed Wales their first real attacking opportunity from a penalty but missed touch altogether from a penalty in the second half. Nailed all three of his shots on goal. Made a couple of nice spot tackles. Over-eager on defence in the early stages of the game, conceding a penalty. Off in the 55th minute.
11. Rio Dyer – 7
Burst to life in the opening stages of the match but barely featured in the second half. An early weaving return off a high kick would have given the youngster plenty of confidence to start out the match – though he soon copped a somewhat harsh penalty for blocking Argentinian kick-chasers.
12. Nick Tompkins – 5
Generated some good momentum from one attacking scrum but generally struggled against the fast-advancing Pumas defenders. Distributed well but mostly faded into the background. Off in the 53rd minute.
13. George North – 8
Penalised for a neck-high hold on Emiliano Boffelli. Unsurprisingly used as a battering ram in the midfield. Made a couple of big plays in the early stages of the final quarter, including holding up the Pumas ball carrier to turn over possession. A strong tackle on Pablo Matera in the 79th minute effectively secured the match for the home side.
14. Alex Cuthbert – 5
Looked slightly short of a gallop and struggled to find any open spaces in which he could stretch his legs.
15. Louis Reese-Zammit – 8
Took to the fullback role like a duck to water. Made a brilliant run from inside his own 22 to create a try-scoring opportunity with his first-ever touch in the Wales No 15 jersey.
Reserves:
16. Ryan Elias – N/A
On in 73rd minute. Asked to fill in on the blindside following Rowlands’ injury.
17. Rhodri Jones – 6
On in 61st minute. Made a couple of big plays in the final moments of the game. Penalised for not rolling away at the breakdown.
18. Sam Wainwright – N/A
On in the 75th minute.
19. Ben Carter – N/A
On in the 70th minute.
20. Jac Morgan – 8
On in the 28th minute. Made a big impact. A nicely timed tackle from the reserve loose forward forced a knock-on, ending Argentina’s final attack of the first half. Combined well with North to hold up Santiago Carreras. Made a nice wee break at the end of the match but couldn’t find his support. Finished the game with 17 tackles.
21. Kieran Hardy – N/A
Unused.
22. Rhys Priestland – 6
On in the 55th minute. Like the man he replaced, delivered a mixed bag of kicks. Failed to find touch with one penalty.
23. Owen Watkin – 6
On in the 53rd minute. Had a bit more luck as a ball-carrier than the man he replaced.
additional reporting PA
Comments on RugbyPass
Lets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
10 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
9 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
10 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
9 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
14 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
5 Go to commentsHe seems to have the same aura as Marcus Smith - by which I mean he’s consistently judged as if he’s several years younger than he actually is. Mngomezulu has played 24 times for the Stormers. When Pollard was his age he had played 24 times for South Africa! He has more time to develop, but he has also had time to do some developing already, and he hasn’t demonstrated nearly as much talent in that time as one would expect. If he is a generational talent, then it must be a pretty poor generation.
6 Go to commentsThe greatest Springbok coach of all time is entirely on the money. Rassie and Jacques have given the south african public a great few years, but the success of the springbok selection policy will need to be judged in light of what comes next. The poor condition that the provincial system is currently in doesn’t bode well for the next few years of international rugby, and the insane 2026 schedule that the Boks have lined up could also really harm both provincial and international consistency.
22 Go to comments