Some would suggest that Wales’ warm-up strategy is coming to fruition after an excellent defensive performance against England in their 2nd warm-up test. In the 1st test against the ‘old enemy’ Wales ran England close and could have easily stolen a win at Twickenham had Jonny Wilkinson not kicked his goals. Last week James Hook led the Welsh backs admirably from full-back with a terrific attacking and defensive performance. He kicked his goals in the 2nd half and took his try well picking a strong line past the outside shoulder of Dan Cole. Tomorrow Wales face a powerful and skilful Argentinian side in Cardiff. The Pumas are in England’s World Cup group and a good performance against the Argentinians will send a very strong message to Wales’ World Cup opponents.
I am excited about the back line Warren Gatland has picked to face Argentina. Some talented players are returning from injury. Wales welcome back Leigh Halfpenny and Lee Byrne. Byrne is an out an out full-back and after Morgan Stoddart’s bad luck with a broken leg he will look to nail down the No.15 shirt. Defensively Byrne is stronger than James Hook who is also a competitor for the full-back position. Wales will be dangerous going forward if they can bring Byrne into the attacking-line. It will be refreshing to see Leigh Halfpenny returning to the Wing tomorrow. He is a player with lightening pace and nimble footwork. Also, he can help by sharing the goal-kicking duties with Hook. Halfpenny has a long range with the boot, but judging by Hook’s last two kicks against England last week he will not be needed. Halfpenny is one of Wales’ promising youngsters who will look to replace Shane Williams as the main try-scorer when Williams retires. Another youngster, George North who has been on terrific try-scoring form makes up the final man in the back-three. North scored two tries against England in the 1st test and will look to continue his form and run rings around the Argentine back-three.
Jamie Roberts has had a very promising lead up to the World Cup. As the leader in the defensive line he has tackled ferociously and made dangerous breaks through the English defensive line. I would like to see Roberts used on the ‘crash ball’ early on to test the Argentinian defence. Hook needs to release Roberts down the middle and help get the Welsh quick ball over the gain line. Jonathan Davies comes in to replace Gavin Henson who unfortunately got injured against England. Henson’s injury gives Davies a great opportunity to earn himself a place in the 30 man squad. Davies adds some youth and excitement to the Welsh Centres after years of the highly experienced centres such as Tom Shanklin and Gareth Thomas. Expect Davies to get his hands on the ball often and try and release Roberts and Halfpenny outside him.
Last week I declared James Hook as my Man of the Match for his performance in guiding Wales to a win over England. He slotted two long-range penalties and took his try with confidence. Hook in my opinion is either a fly-half or an inside-centre. The full-back berth should be left to Lee Byrne. With Stephen Jones suffering with a calf injury, Hook has a great chance to nail down the No.10 jersey that he desires. Hook left the Ospreys for Perpignan in order to play at fly-half. He will run the back line with authority and kick his goals. It will be an exciting match up between Hook and Felipe Contempomi, the experienced Argentinian fly-half. The match may well be decided by a penalty or a stroke of genius from either fly-half.
Warren Gatland has chosen a highly experienced pack of forwards to take on Argentina’s highly confrontational pack. Adam Jones returns to the squad to reassure Wales’ scrum critics. Jones’ set piece performance will be vital to guiding Wales to victory. In the two tests against England Wales’ scrum was inconsistent. At times it was destructive and helped Wales win penalties, however at other times it looked weak and was driven back by England. Wales will need clean ball from the scrum in order to attack Argentina out wide.
In the back-row, 99 times capped Martyn Williams returns to the flank and Captains the side as Ryan Jones misses out through injury. Williams fell out of favour with Warren Gatland recently and has been told his reputation and experience does not guarantee him a starting place or a ticket to New Zealand. Gatland would be foolish to leave a player of Williams’ experience out of the touring party to New Zealand. His leadership and familiarity with the World Cup process will be vital to the squad. He could help guide younger members in the squad and take the pressure off other senior squad members. Williams also knows how to play referees and is still a laborious worker at the breakdown. Andy Powell replaces the injured Ryan Jones. Powell has been making the headlines for the wrong reasons over the past couple of years and will look to take his chance to improve people’s perception of him. He needs to show the physicality and rugged defensive skills that won him a place on the tour to South Africa with the British and Irish Lions.
The Pumas will prove to be a tough test and will show how well Wales’ World Cup preparations have gone. Unfortunately Juan Martin Hernandez will miss the World Cup with a knee injury, however the Argentine back line is still full of talent, pace and power. Horacio Agulla and Gonzalo Camacho will be dangerous men on the wings. Halfpenny and North will have to be focused in defence and watch out on the counter-attack.
Number 8 Juan Fernandez Lobbe will give the Pumas possession over the gain line and an option in the line out. His offloading game should release the quick backs outside him. Another notable player for the Pumas is Rodrigo Roncero. The highly experienced prop is an expert at scrum-time. He will be a real threat for Wales and it will be an exciting prospect to see him scrummaging against Adam Jones. Whoever wins the battle at the scrum will undoubtedly be on the front-foot in the game.
Prediction: Wales by 4. It will be a tough game, but I think after last week’s performance against England Wales will kick-on and head to the World Cup with a positive outlook.
Wales: L Byrne, L Halfpenny, J Davies, J Roberts, G North, J Hook, T Knoyle, P James, R Hibbard, A Jones, B Davies, A-W Jones, D Lydiate, M Williams (Capt.), A Powell.
Replacements: H Bennett, R Bevington, J Thomas, J Tipuric, L Williams, S Jones, A Brew.
Argentina: Martin Rodriguez; Horacio Agulla, Marcelo Bosch, Santiago Fernandez, Gonzalo Camacho; Felipe Contepomi (Capt.), Nicolas Vergallo; Rodrigo Roncero, Mario Ledesma, Juan Figallo, Manuel Carizza, Patricio Albacete, Julio Farias Cabello, Juan Manuel Leguizamon, Juan Fernandez Lobbe.
Replacements: Agustin Creevy, Martin Scelzo, Mariano Galarza, Alejandro Campos, Alfredo Lalanne, Nicolas Sanchez, Juan Imhoff.
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