Wales look to learn a lot from their journey into the unknown

SAN Juan is a long way from Cardiff, both literally and figuratively.

Almost 7,000 miles, the bulk of South America and the Atlantic Ocean separate the two cities, but the Wales rugby team will be feeling worlds away from the comfort of their own homes.

Yesterday, the squad upped sticks from Buenos Aires to go north to the province of San Juan – a turbulent twohour flight on an Embraer E190 ending at a tiny airport, that only boasted one main runway and the smallest of baggage-claim carousels.

Surrounded by dusty plains, to suggest it is in the middle of nowhere wouldn’t be stretching it.

A 20-minute drive into the province’s capital city, that carries the same name, sees a return to civilisation, but gone are the high-rise buildings and plethora of five-star hotels that have been the norm in Washington DC and Buenos Aires – to a lesser extent.

In the day, this city hustles and bustles, but at night, stray dogs roam the streets and there is an absence of activity.

There is, though, at least a sign that this game is actually taking place at the Estadio del Bicentenario, which is more than can be said for the South Africa clash in America’s capital last week.

Posters are up in the hotels and adverts interject ESPN’s wall-to-wall coverage of the Argentina football team, who are preparing for the FIFA World Cup in Russia next week.

People know this game is going on and the locals are happy to see foreigners.

One of the most notable differences is that the temperature here is significantly cooler compared to what has come before on this trip. The blistering Washington DC heat is a in stark contrast to the weather here.

Weather reports make claims of the temperature being in the teens. Many on the ground here would dispute that. Air conditioning was required last week, the heating here.

The stadium itself is out of town. The drive takes you through deprived areas, where horse and carts share the roads with cars, and children attempt to sell bags of fruit to passengers as their vehicles stand at traffic lights.

Heavy roadworks are taking place around the stadium and the approach to the ground takes you through a building site. If similar scenes were found outside the Principality Stadium 24 hours before kick-off, pandemonium would ensue.

The multi-use stadium usually hosts the San Martin de San Juan football team and has concrete terraces on three sides.

Barbed wire sits atop the fences that surround the playing surface to deter anyone tempted to scale the high metal cage.

Wales arrive here in good spirits. They are buoyed by the late victory over South Africa, a break from the norm, having usually been the ones to let victory slip through their fingers late on against southern hemisphere opponents.

But, having named a strong backline, Wales boss Warren Gatland has named a new-look pack as he looks to give opportunities to those who are yet to receive one on this trip. It is not his strongest, if it were, Ellis Jenkins would surely be starting somewhere in the back row after his brilliant showing at RFK Stadium.

And, by experimenting with his forward pack, he runs the risk of being squeezed out of the contest by a big, lumbering Argentine eight that will look to take control of the game up front.

If the hosts control the set-piece and breakdown, Wales’ threatening backs could have a long, anonymous afternoon.

Some of those up front are being thrown in at the deep end, whether they sink or swim will have a big say in how this contest goes. is necessary

What kind of performance Argentina produce should be anyone’s guess – this is their first game of 2018.

However, the entire matchday 23 represents the Jaguares – Argentina’s Super Rugby franchise – so there will be no rust to shake off.

In fact, it could be argued that Pumas boss Daniel Hourcade has a fairly small job on his hands, given that the Jaguares have been in inspired form of late, winning their last six games and picking up victories in New Zealand and Australia. If it ain’t broke, don’t meddle with it. The size of the task facing Wales is not to be underestimated. The Springboks fielded an experimental side in Washington to match the feel of Wales’ – Argentina are not.

The Pumas will come out all guns blazing and, for all the sideshow about the relevance of the game last week, this is a bona fide, unadulterated Test match.

There will be no favours handed out here. Wales are walking into Argentina’s backyard and how they respond will say a lot about them and plenty about just how strong the depth of Gatland’s squad is with one eye on next year’s Rugby World Cup.