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Fresh from the Rugby Championship, Argentina are now officially one of the game's top nations as they prepare to meet Wales on Saturday.
Memories of Los Pumas in Cardiff include their stunning draw with the British & Irish Lions in 2005, a result that grabbed the world's attention. They now return to Millennium Stadium once more to face the Six Nations champions.
Both sides have recently been defeated by Australia - Argentina in narrow encounters as they hunted for their first win in the Rugby Championship, whilst Wales were disappointing against a resurgent Wallaby side during their June tour.
Whilst regional success is unbalanced with the Ospreys and Scarlets at the top and the Blues and Dragons struggling down the bottom, the national side remain a beacon of hope for Welsh rugby and many of the stars who have departed for the euro - Mike Phillips, Gethin Jenkins and James Hook - will all be involved against Argentina.
One new face in the Wales squad is at tighthead prop in Aaron Jarvis. While Jenkins is winning his 91st cap on the loosehead side, Jarvis will have to cope with Marcos Ayerza on his first appearance for his country - a daunting task for the Osprey.
Elsewhere, Josh Turnbull is tasked with replacing the injured Dan Lydiate, no mean feat considering what Lydiate achieved during last season. A good appearance from Turnbull may secure the shirt long-term, although the concept of somehow playing both Sam Warburton and Justin Tipuric at the same time remains appealing.
Rhys Priestland is under pressure to perform after a disappointing tour of Australia, with Dan Biggar and Hook breathing down his neck. Starting Tavis Knoyle is a sign of faith from Rob Howley and a message to Mike Phillips - how the veteran reacts will say plenty about his commitment to his country.
What is integral to any Welsh success however is getting the ball into the hands of George North and Alex Cuthbert. Both wingers are in good form at domestic level and their power will prove troublesome for any defence.
As for the Pumas, now that Rodrigo Roncero has finally hung up his boots the great generation that led Argentina to a third place finish at the 2007 Rugby World Cup is starting to fade away. Fortunately, as his replacement they have Marcos Ayerza, the Leicester prop whose reputation proceeds him.
Speaking of the class of 2007, Felipe Contepomi has returned to the squad after missing the Rugby Championship. His partnership with Gonzalo Tiesi is a familiar one due to their time together both in France and with the Pumas. Injury saw Tiesi limp out of the Rugby World Cup and miss the Rugby Championship, but his good form for San Isidro has led to him being recalled.
Argentina's best result in the Rugby Championship may have only been a draw, but they were far from the whipping boys that many people suspected they would prove to be in their first season. Australia were driven close on both occasions and South Africa made to sweat in Mendoza, having to share the points.
That momentum from going up against the world's best will make them stronger and Wales should be wary.
If their pack can cause problems for Jarvis at the scrum and Contepomi combines with fly-half Nicolas Sanchez to produce an effective kicking game, then their chances will increase.
Ones to watch:
For Wales: All eyes are on Josh Turnbull as he comes in at blindside to replace Dan Lydiate for his fifth cap. Lydiate's influence on Wales defence was key to Six Nations success last year and Turnbull must emulate his work ethic. Against Juan Mártin Fernández Lobbe and Juan Manuel Leguizamon he will be severely tested and how he fronts up will determine whether he continues to add to his caps this November. Elsewhere, Rhys Priestland has work to do but is showing glimpses of the form that saw him take last year's Rugby World Cup by storm.
For Argentina: There is arguably no Argentinian player more talented than El Mago - Juan Mártin Hernández. Full-back is not his best position but the width and playmaking abilities that he possess will keep Wales occupied all afternoon. If Argentina decide tactically that the boot is the best way forward through the trio of Hernández, Contepomi and Sanchez, then Leigh Halfpenny will be in for a long afternoon.
Head-to-head: A battle between scrum-halves, Tavis Knoyle and Martin Landajo should grab plenty of attention. Both young number nines, Knoyle impressed Rob Howley in Spala and has been in good form for the Scarlets. With the talented Mike Phillips relegated to the bench, if Knoyle performs well in the shirt, he will keep it. Landajo was effective for the Pumas in The Rugby Championship and finished off a sensational try against New Zealand, showing great speed. Elsewhere the battle between Aaron Jarvis and Marcos Ayerza could dictate the result.
Recent results:
2011: Wales won 28-13 in Cardiff
2009: Wales won 33-16 in Cardiff
2007: Wales won 27-20 in Cardiff
2006: Argentina won 45-27 in Buenos Aires
Prediction: Argentina have the pack to make this a narrow contest, but if Wales can secure possession and bring their back three into the game they should win this. Wales by 8.
The teams:
Wales: 15 Leigh Halfpenny, 14 Alex Cuthbert, 13 Scott Williams, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 George North, 10 Rhys Priestland, 9 Tavis Knoyle, 8 Toby Faletau, 7 Sam Warburton (capt), 6 Josh Turnbull, 5 Ian Evans, 4 Alun Wyn Jones, 3 Aaron Jarvis, 2 Matthew Rees, 1 Gethin Jenkins.
Replacements: 16 Richard Hibbard, 17 Ryan Bevington, 18 Paul James, 19 Rob McCusker, 20 Justin Tipuric, 21 Mike Phillips, 22 James Hook, 23 Liam Williams.
Argentina: 15 Juan Martin Hernandez, 14 Gonzalo Camacho, 13 Gonzalo Tiesi, 12 Felipe Contepomi, 11 Juan Imhoff, 10 Nicolas Sanchez, 9 Martin Landajo, 8 Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe, 7 Juan Manuel Leguizamon, 6 Leonardo Senatore, 5 Julio Farias Cabello, 4 Manuel Carizza, 3 Juan Figallo, 2 Eusebio Guinazu, 1 Marcos Ayerza.
Replacements: 16 Agustin Creevy, 17 Bruno Postiglioni, 18 Juan Gomez, 19 Tomas Vallejos Cinalli, 20 Tomas Leonardi, 21 Nicolas Vergallo, 22 Horacio Agulla, 23 Joaquin Tuculet.
Date: Saturday, November 10
Kick-off: 14:30 (GMT)
Venue: Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Referee: Romain Poite (France)
Assistant referees: George Clancy (Ireland), Dudley Phillips (Ireland)
Television match official: Jim Yuille (Scotland)
By Ben Coles
@bencoles_
Comments
curlymac says...
no one has mentioned back to back seasons here. and are thosse seasons any good if you cant beat the best teams in the world?
Grand slam ha! those are easy, every team outside the uk has more grand slams than wales.
Posted 17:50 10th November 2012
Philly says...
Curlymac you were out by 4 points.......
Posted 16:33 10th November 2012
Kent says...
@curlymac. Grand slam 2012 - I'd lay off the sauce if I were you.
Posted 09:52 10th November 2012
makemehappy says...
Is curlymac simply a wind-up merchant or a complete idiot?
Posted 08:43 10th November 2012
PontySurrey says...
Curlymac - why let the facts get in the way of a crappy post or two eh? Happy to see any evidence you have of Wales talking down opponents. But you're right, three grand slams in in six years shows a certain lack of consistency.
Posted 07:56 10th November 2012
jonesy2 says...
will be close that is for sure, wales should get up but the pumas will be flying and full of confidence after coming off the RC and drawing with sth efrica. 50/50 could go either way
Posted 06:51 10th November 2012
three6three6 says...
Although Los Pumas played really well in the Rugby Championship, I think that Wales might just have too much fire power for them. But Wales will need to be playing at their best in order to win this one......
There are plenty of interesting matches this weekend - France v Australia.... Scotland v New Zealand.... England v Fiji... Ireland v the BOKKE....
Posted 06:11 10th November 2012
curlymac says...
Wales are all talk and everything they achieve is just a fluke flash in the pan. they haven't had 2 good games let alone seasons in a row ever.
Every game they talk up their own players and write off their opponents. in the last 10 years have they had any world class players??
i hope they lose!!
goo pumas!!
Posted 03:58 10th November 2012
Trinats2 says...
WAL 30 - 26 ARG
Posted 03:44 10th November 2012
TVaddict says...
@Lucasrg
You think Welsh rugby is the best in Europe?! I hope not, otherwise we're all in for a kicking! Next six nations they'll probably come 4th or 5th, you'll see.
Posted 22:01 09th November 2012
atg77 says...
@curlymac... delusions of grandeur? Argentina have to be the most over-hyped team in world rugby. Their win record (33%) since after the 2007 world cup speaks for itself... by far the lowest of all the top tier nations. (even if you discount this year's RC)
Posted 20:46 09th November 2012
curlymac says...
once again you guys are up wales arse. they will lose by at least 20 points. Argentina will easily be the 4th ranked team by next world cup.
GO LOS PUMAS!!!!!!!
Posted 20:12 09th November 2012
Lucasrg says...
I consider Welsh rugby the best we got in Europe at the moment. It's gonna me a cracking game.
I feel Marcelo Bosh will be extremely missed as his capable to organize the difence and able to tackle anything at any angle. Also Albacete for his incredible work rate. So I would not be too cocky if I were Welsh.
Unless other major upsets in Europe, this could be easly the game of the weeks
Posted 19:57 09th November 2012
eddie_the_eagle says...
Jeez, he looks even more like Desparate Dan with that hat on!
Posted 19:27 09th November 2012
ShamanSheep says...
@Bones7 - I hadn't seen that tackle but it's pretty impressive on youtube, in the slow motion clip you can see Tuilangi is clearly not off balance, has seen Hernandez coming and is ready for the hit, yet still gets smashed; there's also a great hit he made against Harlequins, both with the left shoulder. I had no idea he could tackle like that. That's not why he's at 15 though, it's for his kicking I think. Having left out Amorisino and with Contepomi coming back at 12 I think they'll play fairly traditional Argentinean rugby - not to say they won't run it now and then, gotta watch out for Camacho.
@OZinLondon - chill out, talk about living up to a stereotype. We can all do without an argument between an Englishman and Australian on the Wales-Argentina thread.
Posted 15:44 09th November 2012
TVaddict says...
@rugby_rockstar
Why? The welsh lineout has been shoddy for a while now...
This is a hard game to call because both teams seem to lack that winning mentality. Argentina should have beaten South Africa at home, they should have beaten Australia away, and fell apart for their home game against them. In the same manner Wales should have won the series in Australia, but instead lost all three matches.
Wales will be favourites here, and as much as I feel Argentina have the ability to win this match I think Wales will win by about 5 points or so. Only because this Argentinian team doesn't look like it can score tries.
First half to be a draw and Wales to get a lucky try early in the second half (interception/knock-on straight into North's hands/etc..). They will then manage to defend this lead, exchange a few penalties, and finish with about an 8 point lead.
Posted 13:26 09th November 2012
OzinLondon says...
rugby_rockstar
The match in Australia was a "get out of jail" match for Aus... but it could just as easily be said that Aus only clicked for 10 minutes and that was enough to win.
Posted 11:32 09th November 2012
OzinLondon says...
rugby_rockstar
"Shame the Ref had already read the papers and learnt who was supposed to win the (Arg v Wallas) game"
I don't know what papers you were reading but none that I read were giving the injury depleted Wallaby side much chance. There was no pressure at all on the ref to force a Wallaby win... best do your homework before going Aussie bashing.
I would have thought that the match that they let slip was the draw against SA.
I gather you're yet another one of those NH supporters who continues to dismiss the Wallabies even though their record this season with an injury ravaged team (3 wins v Wales, 2 v Pumas, 1 v SA and a draw v ABs) is better than England has managed in many years. Go figure.
Wales will get a scare tomorrow but I think they'll get the win.
Posted 10:23 09th November 2012
rugby_rockstar says...
Ooops! I meant the match in Australia! not Argentina.
Posted 10:04 09th November 2012
rugby_rockstar says...
I'm English, but I still love the Welsh 2nd Row. Thats what a rugby test match 2nd row should look like. I'm envious.
Argentina scored the best tries in this years rugby championship, they entertained, they deserved to win at least one match, probably the game in Argentina where they just clicked for 10 minutes and destroyed the wallabies. (Shame the Ref had already read the papers and learnt who was supposed to win the game.)
I feel this match is going to decided by how quickly the welsh defense can get up to speed. Argentina are lucky to be playing Wales while they are still a little cold and rusty. Wales on the other hand won;t be handicapped by Mike Phillips slowing down their ball, starting fights and generally behaving like your stereotypical annoying swell-headed no.9. I think Wales are solid favs on paper. but sometimes they don't get their heads screwed on right and do stupid things. If Argentina click then its doesn't matter who they are playing the other team and in trouble, so lets hope they click because this could be the match of the weekend. I'll be at twickenham and you can be sure that someone is going to give the score away, but I'm still recording it, its a match any die hard rugby nutter will want to check out.
Posted 10:03 09th November 2012