Relief for Pivac as Dragons jolt back into life

ONE win will not soothe all of the wounds and silence all of the grumbles. It can’t undo all of the lows in 2022 or assuage all of the concerns around Wayne Pivac and the direction in which Wales are heading 10 months out from the World Cup.

But, good grief, how one win can change the mood.

Defeat here didn’t bear thinking about. Not after last week’s mauling by New Zealand. Not with Georgia and Australia still to come.

Another setback, and frustration could have blown the roof off this place. Instead, a Mexican wave swept around the Principality Stadium as Wales jumpstarted their autumn campaign with a pivotal victory over Argentina.

Tries from Taulupe Faletau and Tomos Williams proved enough, despite Will Rowlands’ second-half yellow card and Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro bundling over for a late try as Michael Cheika’s side looked to roll on after last week’s win at Twickenham.

Led by their unyielding captain Justin Tipuric, Wales stood firm, this place erupted — and Pivac breathed a huge sigh of relief.

The New Zealander said: ‘I’m very pleased, we needed a response after last week. After a couple of weeks together, another week has helped big time and I was pleased with the fact that for the 80 minutes we just kept coming off the line.

‘The most impressive thing for me was we showed we wanted to come off the line and hit some people.’

Pivac took some chances here — there was no Alun Wyn Jones in the 23, while Louis Rees-Zammit was handed a first international start at full-back.

There were doubts about how the 21-year-old would cope. First, because he has so little experience at 15, even at club level. And then because he missed Wales’ final training session.

It seemed another late reshuffle was nigh. But fitness concerns proved unfounded and, within a minute, any lingering uncertainty about the threat he could pose from full-back was erased, too.

With his first opportunity, ReesZammit broke through a slit in the

Argentina line and jolted Wales into life. Alas, that confident start didn’t last. Before long, Argentina were in command, helped by indiscipline from Wales — five penalties in the first 12 minutes gave the visitors territory and allowed Edinburgh’s Emiliano Boffelli to kick Cheika’s side into a six-point lead.

Wales had three opportunities to kick penalties of their own. They turned all three down during a period of sustained pressure.

After 10 minutes without reward, which saw Ken Owens drop the ball over the line and Dan Lydiate forced off through injury, Wales’ gamble paid off at last. From a driving maul, Faletau crossed for a try.

Gareth Anscombe kicked the hosts into a four-point lead; suddenly it was Argentina coughing up penalties and possession. Not long after the break, the visitors also conceded a soft try.

Williams hooked a kick straight to full-back Juan Cruz Mallia. With the scrum-half chasing, Mallia dragged his clearance straight into Williams, who raced on to the loose ball to score.

That gave Wales breathing space and momentum. Tipuric and Adam Beard won turnover penalties.

Marcos Kremer was then held up as Argentina ratcheted up the pressure and Rowlands’ lapse in concentration put Wales a man down.

Pivac’s side actually won that 10 minutes 3-0, only for Argentinian replacement prop Chaparro to ensure a nervy finish. SCORERS; Wales — Tries: Faletau, T Williams. Cons: Anscombe (2). Pens: Anscombe, Priestland. Argentina — Try: Chaparro. Con: Boffelli.

Pens: Boffelli (2).