ANDY HOWELL
WALES’ coaches have copped plenty of flak during the last week following the horror-show against Australia but they deserve credit for devising a key tactic which allowed their charges to do a number on Argentina.
It wasn’t pretty for large parts, with the error-strewn Pumas being way below the level at which they had operated in the Rugby Championship.
Some may argue it was a good job Argentina weren’t playing New Zealand or Australia because, in all likelihood, they would have shipped 70 points against either of those.
Fortunately for them they were facing Wales, a team struggling for confidence after suffering six defeats in a row and having being victorious in just three of their last 13 fixtures.
That meant Argentina were able to hang in there despite some of their back ‘names’ not firing, passing wildly, knocking the ball on, giving daft penalties away and having prop Ramiro Herrera sinbinned in the first half.
Wales, despite dominating the scrum, territory and possession during a scrappy and disjointed encounter, failed to put chances away despite having ample opportunities and the result was in doubt right to the final whistle.
But they managed to grind out a morale-boosting 24-20 win because head honcho Rob Howley, defence guru Shaun Edwards and forwards chief Robin McBryde nullified the off-loading game of Argentina by taking a leaf out of Ireland’s book.
They used the choke-tackle employed by Ireland in a pool match at the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand to strangle the life out of Australia and notch up a famous win to great effect.
Alun Wyn Jones – he was an inspirational figure on his return after missing the 32-8 roasting by the Wallabies following the death of his father – combined with lock partner Luke Charteris and back-row forwards Sam Warburton, Justin Tipuric, Ross Moriarty and replacement prop Nicky Smith by crucially holding upright Argentine ball-carriers up off the ground to win the put-in at scrums.
The squeeze they put on prevent- ed the Latin American giants from generating momentum and relieved the pressure that was building on Wales during a nip-and-tuck second half.
The teams took it in turns to score but Wales deserved success after leading for the final 65 minutes and for the determined effort they had made after being heavily criticised for some shambolic defending against Australia.
Outside-half Dan Biggar responded positively, fit-again wing Liam Williams gave a repeat of the outstanding performances he produced in New Zealand last June and it has to be said, Jamie Roberts wasn’t missed.
No disrespect to the good doctor but Wales moved the ball wider far quicker and more effectively by having the superior vision and skills of Scott Williams at insidecentre.
There was still the odd out-breaks of white-line fever when overlaps were ignored but Wales were far more composed and patient in attack.
Now they have the chance to build more confidence against Japan next week, a match for which I’d be tempted to start with the same team, before having a real opportunity against one of the worst South African teams in history and who were creamed 37-21 by England at Twickenham.
It’s a funny old game but Wales could yet be looking at three wins from the autumn campaign, a figure most people would have snatched at before it began.