[November Tests 2016 EOYT] Wales vs. Argentina (12/11/2016)

[TRF_heineken]

Venue: Principality Stadium
Time: 19:30 CAT (SA, GMT+2)​

 

[MikeTheNative]

I'm not sure how everyone else is feeling but I'm scared

 

[AzaMatt]

I'm not sure how everyone else is feeling but I'm scared

i know the feeling. considering Argentina are even more ballsy than Aus in attack. we might get a few counter attacking tries from this but defencively we really need to be on the ball. otherwise it could be a long afternoon

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Huge game for Wales to avoid another pool of death in 2019.

 

[MojoPin]

I'm not sure how everyone else is feeling but I'm scared

Very nervous. Argentina have been playing very well lately and I can't currently imagine how the starting XV from this weekend could hope to beat them. The opportunity is that games tend to be a little more scrappy and open - the ball gets spilled a lot and if you keep your eyes peeled around the rucks you can use that to your advantage. The big danger though is that if we retreat from the contact area like we did against Australia then we will be left too far behind in the first half. And unlike Wales, Argentina are learning from every defeat. Their defense is improving and the set piece is very strong.

 

[AzaMatt]

Very nervous. Argentina have been playing very well lately and I can't currently imagine how the starting XV from this weekend could hope to beat them. The opportunity is that games tend to be a little more scrappy and open - the ball gets spilled a lot and if you keep your eyes peeled around the rucks you can use that to your advantage. The big danger though is that if we retreat from the contact area like we did against Australia then we will be left too far behind in the first half. And unlike Wales, Argentina are learning from every defeat. Their defense is improving and the set piece is very strong.

as you said, we just have to prey on the mistakes they make. but if all their offloads stick then we're in for a long night (vs ireland in the RWC springs to mind). we seem to struggle when the ball is kept off the deck and this Arg team does not like going to ground *panics*

 

[welshglory]

Definitely nervous. We haven't played them since 2013 and they've improved massively since then, really don't know how the game will go.

I just don't think the team is capable of creating enough pressure through attack, which is also apart of the problem. Attack should be used to try and break the line to score tries; our phase play attack almost purely relies on creating enough pressure so that the opposition gives away penalties (South Africa lite). Defensively i expect an improvement next week, at least not allowing Argentina to cross the gain line so much. A loose game might suit us since that's the only way we seem to be able to score tries.

Of course we could all just be over reacting and it was just an off day, with the same team turning it around with a very convincing performance!

 

[FNS]

I think is 50/50%. We have a very attacking rugby but not the player quality to allways make it haha i we had the players we could beat anyone =P

 

[Cruz_del_Sur]

Anything could happen here. Both teams are erratic enough. A 20 pt difference by either side is not out of the question, neither is a hell of a game by two outgoing teams nor a borefest by two teams who can't put two passes without knocking the ball. They call this a friendly test but both teams need this for the WR ranks.

We appear to be on a slightly better form but that generally plays against us, and they we're playing in Cardiff.

Only thing certain is i'll be watching it from the stands! Heard so many stories about the stadium, can't wait to be there.

 

[welshglory]

Hope you enjoy it mate!

 

[MojoPin]

Only thing certain is i'll be watching it from the stands! Heard so many stories about the stadium, can't wait to be there.

Awesome, hope you have a great time! It's a wonderful stadium, and no matter how much us fans are whinging about the team, it remains a very special place to go. Likewise I'd love to see a game out in Argentina one day!

 

[Every Time Ref]

Anything could happen here. Both teams are erratic enough. A 20 pt difference by either side is not out of the question, neither is a hell of a game by two outgoing teams nor a borefest by two teams who can't put two passes without knocking the ball. They call this a friendly test but both teams need this for the WR ranks.

We appear to be on a slightly better form but that generally plays against us, and they we're playing in Cardiff.

Only thing certain is i'll be watching it from the stands! Heard so many stories about the stadium, can't wait to be there.

It is a really special place to watch rugby, enjoy it. The Welsh anthem sung by a packed stadium is a very stirring moment

 

[Bruno_ARG]

Like always, our biggest obstacle is ourselves. If we can have a good start I guess the game will get easier for us as the minutes go by. If not, it can be a nightmare. A couple of years ago I would be extremely confident about our scrum and defense, but right now those our are biggest flaws, while the best we've got is whatever we do when we have the ball. Who would have thought that?

 

[petite]

based on the welsh performance we have a shot but i dont think they are going to be as lousy again! i expect them to rise the level big time. as for arg it looks like we can dominate the brackdown if we do and we avoid the stupid knock ons and ****ty kicking, we can do it. but we are used to being inconsistent. i agree with Cruz _del_ sur anything can happen here. unfortunately i won´t be on those stands

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

Wales improved in the second half without showing much cutting edge - so first half should be an abberation. Should be a belter as a lot is at stake. Any sign of reinforcements coming to the Welsh forwards or of Liam Williams? Webb a big loss at scrum half.

Think Argentina could have a crack at a max ranking points win by 15-17 points if all the travelling doesn't take a toll on them. Australia really should have put up 50 points and that is a big worry with a fluid attack like Argentina coming to town.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Wales improved in the second half without showing much cutting edge - so first half should be an abberation.

Bit like saying Watford drew the last half an hour yesterday. The game was already won by half time and both sides knew it.

Its probably just served to highlight what some have long been saying about Welsh strength in depth.

 

[AzaMatt]

Bit like saying Watford drew the last half an hour yesterday. The game was already won by half time and both sides knew it.

Its probably just served to highlight what some have long been saying about Welsh strength in depth.

thats the thing though, on paper the squad was really strong. they just didnt perform. the relatively new capped players (and completely uncapped) players actually had better games than the more senior players. but it is alarming, hopefully they come out this weekend like screaming banshees and win by a landslide

 

[MikeTheNative]

Well what ever happens it can't be worse than the first half performance..... right guys?

 

[Amiga500]

Definite blood in the water. Argentina will be well up for this.

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

Liam Williams and Ball back fit. Big difference to me for Wales chances but still favour Pumas.