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Wales player ratings vs Argentina | Rugby World Cup 2023
Wales player ratings: A weird, wonderful and scrappy match for a number of reasons. Referee Jaco Peyper limped off after just 20 minutes while rating the Welsh efforts became significantly more difficult as their numbers started falling off their backs.
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15. Liam Williams – 7/10
A reliable presence at fullback despite a heavily bandaged right leg, Williams showcased his usual high work rate and defensive skills. Had his moments in attack even though he looked a little ginger at times. Maybe should have been taken off after shipping a heavy tackle from Marcos Kremer.
14. Louis Rees-Zammit – 7
Showed his intent early doors with a menacing early dart down the wing and proved to be a potent attacking force throughout, consistently threatening the opposition with his speed and footwork. An overdone kick in the 62nd minute hurt Wales and struggled to break the Argie defence in the second 40, narrowly missing a potential match winner.
13. George North – 8
Had a near blemish-free first half in which he had a hand in everything that Wales did well. Didn’t do so well in the second half when it was all about the Argentinian attack. Not to blame here.
12. Nick Tompkins – 5.5
Tompkins delivered a steady performance in the centre, offering his usual blend of defensive hustle and energetic attack. Got caught too many times – 3 to be precious – by the Argentinian jackaller however.
11. Josh Adams – 4
Had a quiet first half, one lowlight being a bungled pass with the Argentinian line beckoning, another being a braindead push on Matteo Carreras, which was lucky only to be a yellow. A day to forget for the Cardiff winger.
Head-to-Head
Last 5 Meetings
Wins
2
Draws
1
Wins
2
Average Points scored
20
21
First try wins
40%
Home team wins
40%
10. Dan Biggar – 7
Biggar controlled the game effectively and had some lovely touches in attack, making good tactical decisions and executing his kicking game. His composure was crucial and deservedly got on the scoreboard for Wales’ first try, in which he touched the ball three times before going over. Clearly injured, he found himself trying to survive the final minutes at 13.
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9. Gareth Davies – 6
Wales came to play with tempo and Davies was a major part of that. Provided plenty of quick ball at the breakdown and kept the tempo up throughout the first half, even if Los Pumas did get to him at times. Guilty of a couple of turnovers too.
8. Aaron Wainwright – 6
Wainwright – who was stepping into the boots of the injured Taulupe Faletau – was a physical presence in the forward pack but was part of a lineout that misfired. A well-taken try.
7. Tommy Reffell – 6
Reffell’s work at the breakdown and in defence was commendable, disrupting the opposition’s play, even if he didn’t quite hit the heights that he managed against Georgia a week previous.
Attack 
144
Passes
142
107
Ball Carries
134
321m
Post Contact Metres
370m
8
Line Breaks
5
6. Jac Morgan – 7
A reckless disregard for his body, the Wales captain worked tirelessly in the loose and his overall contribution overshadowed most of his fellow forwards.
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5. Adam Beard – 5.5
A relatively quiet outing from the towering lock, with the first half in particular passing him by. Got through a tonne of tackle work in the second-half and stayed in the fight.
4. Will Rowlands – 5
Rowlands put in a mostly solid shift in the second row and shone in the carrying stakes. Against that, he was culpable in at times chaotic Welsh lineout and
3. Tomas Francis – 7
Francis held his own on his side of the scrum and provided stability in the front row.
2. Ryan Elias – 5
Elias wasn’t entirely accurate with his lineout throws and didn’t stand out in open play.
1. Gareth Thomas – 5
Fell off a few tackles and was put under significant pressure by in the scrum by Francisco Gomez Kodela. He put in a workmanlike in the loose play even if he didn’t exactly dominate.
REPLACEMENTS:
16. Dewi Lake – 6
The Wales co-captain was an improvement on Elias.
17. Corey Domachowski – 6
Was a significant improvement on Thomas in the scrummaging stakes.
18. Dillon Lewis – 5
Hard to fault the 15 minutes he spent on the pitch.
19. Dafydd Jenkins – 5
Failed to make an impact as the Argentinian forwards grew in statue as the game wore on.
20. Christ Tshiunza – 6
A strong cameo off the bench from the Exeter bruiser.
21. Tomos Williams – 8
Scored the try that edged Wales back in front. You can’t ask for much more.
22. Sam Costelow – 5
Came on for Tompkins who had gone off for a HIA but wasn’t able to pull the game from he fire for Wales.
23. Rio Dyer – 7.5
Tried to make things happen as Wales fought for their Rugby World Cup lives. Did all he could.
Comments on RugbyPass
wel the crusaders were beaten by a queensland reds side that hadnt beaten them at home since 1999 and queensland reds partied like it was 1999
4 Go to commentsHard to disagree with the 5 points - with the exception that Wilson should be a squad member but, depending on the other loose forward selections, is not yet a shoo-in. McReight is. Aussie is looking a lot better this year and JS has some selection options. Also, Havili’s tendency to get caught, charged down is also a liability at times but he seemed focused (mostly) and is definitely a consideration for utility back-up. Still feel Reihana is a better prospect at 1st five for Saders.
4 Go to commentsYeah nah, still not sure on Havili tbh. Even though I’m a Crusaders fan through and through I’d be stunned if Razor considers him after seeing some of the stunning talent coming through up North.
4 Go to commentsThink it was a great defensive performance by Northampton. They didn't have stage fright in the first half, the Nienaber defense smothered them. They limited Leinster to 15-3 in the first half. It could have been over by then. A great try from Leinster in the start of the second half looked to have sealed it. But Byrne missed another conversion. Northampton started trying little kicks behind the Leinster wingers. Leinster messed one and Smith brilliantly made the conversion. Leinster decided to tighten the game after Byrne missed a straight forward penalty. A few errors got NH into the 22 and they scored and converted with a few minutes left. Another brilliant steal from Lawes saw NH have a final attack which was turned over by Conan. A classic semi final. World record attendance of 82,300. Leinsters 3 week preparation warranted for this one.
1 Go to commentsJust came back from the game and the atmosphere was amazing. Players stayed afterwards for more than a hour to sign stuff and take photos with fans. Great day out.
5 Go to commentsA great game. The Sharks without Etsebeth are a shadow of the team compared to when he plays. The limitations of Some of the expensive Sharks players are being exposed. Credit to Clermont for some exhilaration play at times.
5 Go to comments100% Mr Owens. But who would want to be a referee.? It must be the most difficult job on earth.
1 Go to commentsStarts to be overdone and oversold this systematic SA narrative…which nevertheless has the merit in this case to recognise blatant refereeing mistakes in their favor
5 Go to commentsNice article. Shades of Steinbeck. They can win the final if they take the game seriously; but only if they take it seriously.
5 Go to commentsWhat a sad way to end a glittering career. Somebody should tell him to delete his social media accounts and face the consequences of what he's done. Then he should slip away quietly into obscurity. This isn't likely to happen, something tells me he'll be back in The Sun / Daily Mail sooner rather than later.
5 Go to commentsguys its fine! he understands why he did what he did and has taken accountability for it; why should he have to be accountable to a court? after all he did was abuse people in person - its not as if he was engaging in _online_ abuse!
5 Go to commentsChiefs flanker Kaylum Boshier yellow-carded for collapsing the scrum as it rolled towards the line. It was a maul….
1 Go to commentsyou know, i’m a leinster fan so I want Northampton to lose and it is gonna be tuff with Cortney lawes, Alex michell and the other guys🏉 lets go leinster🏉
1 Go to commentsWelcome to the Pro ranks. Those hard teams of old do hit the sole better though. its a dog fight at the top.
6 Go to commentsCan someone fill me in please, I've read a number of Ben Smith articles now and it seems he's got something again South Africa? Surely, this game was over and done with 7 months ago. Can't we have something a bit more interesting and relevant, or is this the calibre of journalist on this site?
238 Go to commentsNot sure what the Welsh are moaning about. They’ve had far more players off England, than England have had off Wales. Guys like Josh Hathaway and Kane James will play for Wales in the end. And they’ll be fsr better players for having played in the Gallagher Premiership, than they ever would have been had they stayed mired in the shambles that is Welsh rugby.
4 Go to commentsThis is all being blown totally out of proportion. First of all, since half the Irish team isn’t Irish - it’s very likely that none of the Irish players said that at all and, thus, we’re not being arrogant. Second, since half the Irish team is Kiwi - it’s very likely the Kiwi players were predicting a NZ SA World Cup final. Which they got spot on. Good on them!
163 Go to commentsAha. An Irishman with logic! Follow the flow: - Ireland peaks with a >80% win record between 2020 and 2023. And then… - crashes out of another QF at the WC; - Beat a poor French Team; - Beat 6N wooden spoonists Italy; - Play shite against eventual wooden spoonists Wales; - Lose against the most boring, “the worst English team ever” , a team widely regarded as unable to attack; - scrape through against Scotland. This article, No - Trimble, is on the money! Except for one glaring statement: _The Springboks have a few aces in the hole in this debate being the reigning world champions and official world number ones_ There is no debate, boys and girls. There it is. In black and white. “Reigning World Champions and OFFICIAL world number ones”. Come July, the overrated Andy Farrell and this overhyped team are going to enter into a world of hurt.
90 Go to commentsI’d like to know what homoerotic events Daniel enjoyed at 8th man. I clearly missed out!
20 Go to commentsThis article is missing some detail, like some actual context or info about what led to him abusing the ref.
2 Go to comments