[EOYT] Wales v Argentina 16/11/13

[SelimNiai]

Millennium Stadium, kick off 14:30 GMT​

 

[Big Ewis]

like I said on that other thread, exactly what Wales want right now to get their confidence up fast.

 

[Aspry]

It should be an excited match because the recent antecedent of this clash is a win for Argentina. Wales will want to take revenge and I feel the Pumas will be a little more motivated than the usual.

The bad side is that both teams presents important injured players in their squads. I guess that decrease a little the attractiveness and the level of the game.

There are a couple of Argentine players in doubt for this test, Imhoff being one of them. I'll updating the information as soon as possible.

 

[Ospreylian]

My team would be:

Paul James, Hibbard, Jones (if available), B Davies, AWJ, Tipuric, Warburton, Faletau; L Williams, Biggar, L Williams (if fit), S Williams, Hook, North, Halfpenny

Tipuric HAS to start somewhere, he's just playing too well to not be involved - but so is Warburton (thought he was probably Wales' best player against SA), so having them on either flank would be good. Tipuric and Warbs both tackle similarly to Lydiate these days (around the ankles) so Wales wouldn't miss anything on that front.

Bradley Davies had a good match imo, did himself proud for once in a Welsh jersey. So many times have we seen him ill-disciplined and flat, but he really fronted up against the huge SA pack.

Lloyd Williams and Biggar should come in, Priestland and Phillips just weren't good enough - slow ball, stupid decisions in kicking, panicking too much etc. Biggar should never have lost his starting spot in the first place, he will have been gutted.

Still would like to see Liam Williams have a longer go on the wing, he's been in such good form this season that he obviously deserves another chance if he's available.

Centres is a disaster at the minute. Jon Davies is one of the biggest losses Wales could have faced right now. Hook should start at 13 imo, he used to thrive in that position with Wales, could do it again. Don't think Beck is on form tbh, as much as I love the guy. Hook generally plays better when he's more involved in attacking play from midfield than from fullback.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Looking forward to seeing Gethin start and get his 100 cap on Saturday.

 

[Aspry]

Gonzalo Tiesi has been ruled out of the series due to an Injury, whilst Mariano Galarza has been dropped of the squad but he should take part in the Worcester Warriors and Italy clash, good for him. I don't think he did bad vs England, he was secure in the lineouts that were a massive problem for us in the past RC.

The reason why Galarza is dropped is because his spot will be taken by Senatore who is coming back after being banned for a dangerous high tackle vs South Africa in the first round of the RC. Gabriel Ascárate will be also join the squad in replace of injured Tiesi.

Juan Imhoff is still in doubt for this test. If he doesn't make it Cordero will have a good chance to start.

 

[martinspoonboy1]

Should be a good game, my prediction is a very obvious Wales by 12. Think that's a reasonable result considering Argentina will have something to prove, and Wales have a couple of key injuries.

 

[Big Ewis]

yes, I'd say Wales by 10-15. Sorry Pumas !

 

[dullonien]

Looking forward to seeing Gethin start and get his 100 cap on Saturday.

Same here. Thought he was excellent outside of the scrum against SA, and the scrum was a lottery so difficult to judge him there as well.

Paul James did well when he came on as well to be fair. Thought he identified space outside him well on a few occasions, and passed the ball out instead of trucking it up. Watching Scrum V, Jiffy highlighted that as something more of the forwards need to be doing in order to take advantage of space out wide.

Regarding the team. I'd also like to see Warburton and Tipuric start together. I'm a big Lydiate fan, but without our big backs, we need to play a more open game, and Tipuric suits that gameplan.

Biggar should come in at 10, but I'm not sure I see it myself.

I feel it's important for Halfpenny to return to fullback, giving us that solidity at the back, especially under the high ball. This will open up a space on the wing if Liam Williams is ruled out, the options being going for Prydie/Amos who are more natural wingers, or shifting a centre like Owen Williams or Cory Allen out there. Allen could do well on the wing with his 7's experience.

Then comes the real problem position of centre. Last season I'd be over the moon to see Beck there, but he's been underwhelming to say the least this season. However, this could be a good game for him to really get up to speed at international level without being up against either Aus or SA. I know he will come good again, and I'd back him to do so if selected. Owen Williams and Hook are the other two obvious candidates, then Cory Allen a little further back due to his limited regional experience (not that that's stopped Gats in the past). North moving in to the centre is unlikely due to the injuries on the wing, although we'll probably see him running down the 10 channel quite a lot.

 

[Aspry]

Figallo vs Adam Jones would have been a good duel, what a pitty :/

 

[Big Ewis]

Figallo vs Adam Jones would have been a good duel, what a pitty :/

well the war wouldn't be fought there anyways this match...but sure, for the heck of it yeah. Wales will likely do what England did to the Pumas: overpower them, and with the backs too.

 

[profitius]

Jonathan Davies going to Clermont next season is another blow for Wales.

For this match I think Wales by about 13 points. Have not been impressed by the Pumas this season.

 

[Ozzay]

I think we all as welsh fans wanna see certain players brought in. I can't see it happening though..

Gatland will probably just bring Paul James in, Beck in at 12

 

[Aspry]

According to what I read, this will be the team to face Wales:

1-Marcos Ayerza
2-Eusebio Guiñazú
3-Maximiliano Bustos
4-Manuel Carizza
5-Patricio Albacete
6-Pablo Matera
7-Julio Farías
8-Juan Manuel Leguizamón

9-Martín Landajo
10-Nicolás Sánchez
11-Santiago Cordero
12-Santiago Fernández
13-Marcelo Bosch
14-Horacio Agulla
15-Joaquín Tuculet

The forwards pack won't suffered a lot of changes, only Carizza instead of Galarza in the second row. I am sure this will be pretty much the starting lineup for the forwards.

In the Backs, they're still some doubts. If Imhoff is fit he would probably starts in the wing instead of Cordero. The fullback spot isn't decided yet, though one would think Lucas González Amorosino will start but apparently Tuculet has some chances to make it to the starting XV.

 

[Big Ewis]

Jonathan Davies going to Clermont next season is another blow for Wales.

man, there's a point where every single player will play in the Top 14, and there won't be any other league left, SR, Aviva, all gone. Even national sides will have disappeared, it'll all just be Top 34 teams playing, the very notion of nationality will have dissolved. I'm talkin.....in 7, 8 years....yeh.

For this match I think Wales by about 13 points. Have not been impressed by the Pumas this season.

:lol: you don't say ?! Well what makes you say something like that ?

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Wales should do very well here. The Pumas at the moment have absolutely no imagination and will play mostly with the forwards. After the extremely physical game with SA, I think the Pumas forward effort will seem less threatening. Wales should feel quite comfortable playing a forwards game and could probably win just on that. Bring in the Welsh backs and I can't see the Pumas being able to contain them or give them much hastle. Wales will also want to make a point in this game. I'd say 15+ to Wales.

 

[marianodan]

Wales to put +40 on us. Hopefully our last "defensive diarrhea" game of the year.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

I'd love for Argentina to get some confidence back. They've been playing exclusively the top teams outside of France which ironically is the one top team they have a mental edge over. This does not help. I'd expect a fired up Welsh side at home to do the business. They fully matched SA up front after the opening stanza and should do the same vs Arg and then have a big (double meaning here) advantage out wide on top of home advantage and having to make up for last year's loss. I'll pick Wales for a handsome +15 though I pray otherwise.

 

[Big Ewis]

I'd love for Argentina to get some confidence back. They've been playing exclusively the top teams outside of France which ironically is the one top team they have a mental edge over. This does not help. I'd expect a fired up Welsh side at home to do the business. They fully matched SA up front after the opening stanza and should do the same vs Arg and then have a big (double meaning here) advantage out wide on top of home advantage and having to make up for last year's loss. I'll pick Wales for a handsome +15 though I pray otherwise.

I don't think that edge is viable any longer, we did drop 40 and 3 spectacular tries on them last year when they were on fire, coming off an excellent first TRC and a big two-tries-to-none win in Cardiff.

Anyways:
if Argentina can say to itself "OK ! No more 'defensive diarrhea' !!! This is it !" and tighten the screws hard, I'm sure with that alone and maybe a good try early in the game like they love to do, they can have the Welsh doubting. I'm saying with little, limited means, they can gradually work towards imposing their own game - after all they are coming off some fine matches against the SANZAR nations. They don't need to be last year's Argentina this time in Cardiff, scoring sexy tries and all - just progressively install their rhythm, lean on what they know, get a good forward-type try...

This could happen.
I did say Wales by 10-15 earlier, and I still would stick to that. But I'm saying there's definitely room for all the above to occur, it's not far-fetched.

 

[Aedaphon]

Praying for some Argentinian resurgence. I don't see it happening but it's the hope.

Argentina just seem to be a completely different side with JMFL on the pitch. Genuinely crushed he hasn't been up for IRB player of the year at some point over his career.