Wales confident following win over Argentina in Cardiff
Wales head into the Rugby World Cup on a high following their gritty 28-13 win over a strong Argentina side at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday.
In the first half it looked as though the home side were in for a tough time of it, but two quick tries in the space of a few minutes turned things around, giving them a fairly comfortable 14-3 lead at half time.
Andy Powell and Alun Wyn Jones were the first half try scorers, before wing George North crossed in the second period to put the game out of reach, satisfying coach Warren Gatland.
"I am pleased with the result, but it was tough because we made nine changes. It’s easy to underestimate a side like Argentina, to write them off." said Gatland.
"It was a tough opening period but we took our two opportunities very well. I thought some of the footwork from George North for the second try and the pass for Alun Wyn was excellent – he put in a tremendous performance. That’s the way games go at times, you just have to take your opportunities," he added.
On the injury front, Hooker Richard Hibbard looks to be yet another casualty after he reportedly suffered ankle ligament damage. He is the second Welsh hooker to be ruled out of the tournament, following Matthew Rees' unavailability due to a serious neck injury.
On a positive note, exciting winger Leigh Halfpenny came through unscathed and looks as though he will be fully fit for his first ever world cup.
Highlights of the other matches will be posted soon. If you have anything in particular you'd like featured on the site this coming week, please post a request.
Time: 05:12
In the first half it looked as though the home side were in for a tough time of it, but two quick tries in the space of a few minutes turned things around, giving them a fairly comfortable 14-3 lead at half time.
Andy Powell and Alun Wyn Jones were the first half try scorers, before wing George North crossed in the second period to put the game out of reach, satisfying coach Warren Gatland.
"I am pleased with the result, but it was tough because we made nine changes. It’s easy to underestimate a side like Argentina, to write them off." said Gatland.
"It was a tough opening period but we took our two opportunities very well. I thought some of the footwork from George North for the second try and the pass for Alun Wyn was excellent – he put in a tremendous performance. That’s the way games go at times, you just have to take your opportunities," he added.
On the injury front, Hooker Richard Hibbard looks to be yet another casualty after he reportedly suffered ankle ligament damage. He is the second Welsh hooker to be ruled out of the tournament, following Matthew Rees' unavailability due to a serious neck injury.
On a positive note, exciting winger Leigh Halfpenny came through unscathed and looks as though he will be fully fit for his first ever world cup.
Highlights of the other matches will be posted soon. If you have anything in particular you'd like featured on the site this coming week, please post a request.
Time: 05:12
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34 Comments:
feel a bit better about facing argentina now!
By Savage, at August 21, 2011 7:08 pm
Bet richie mccaw can't wait to finger andy powells bottom (as is customary in NZ!) in revenge for that cheap shot last year!
By Anonymous, at August 21, 2011 7:28 pm
I wish the Welsh crowd would stop booing during visiting team's kicking
By Barry, at August 21, 2011 7:43 pm
Agree about the booing, ridiculous.
By cp85, at August 21, 2011 7:53 pm
That is a good point. One thing you can say for the irish they always respect the kicker!
By Savage, at August 21, 2011 7:54 pm
Barry said...
I wish the Welsh crowd would stop booing during visiting team's kicking
^^^^
but every one does that
By Anonymous, at August 21, 2011 7:54 pm
Not everyone does that. It seems to have caught on in the Millenium Stadium over the last few years, and as a Welsh fan, I find it really annoying.
By Anonymous, at August 21, 2011 7:57 pm
on another note - Andy powell total hero!
By Savage, at August 21, 2011 8:12 pm
Adam jones destroyed the argentinian scrum
By Anonymous, at August 21, 2011 8:24 pm
Not even a particularly strong wales team and they still dominated argentina. England should have no problem against them in the world cup.
By WelshOsprey, at August 21, 2011 8:31 pm
Totally agree about the booing, its a bit of football mentality creeping into the game. I also don't like hearing cheers when the other team miss. Though admittedly it's only my second pet hate after EVERY fan in Twickenham singing the anthem wrong - God save THE Queen, not OUR grrr
By Michael, at August 21, 2011 8:36 pm
You've gone and said Wales are confident. Why would you say that? That never bodes well
By Anonymous, at August 21, 2011 9:05 pm
roberts hasn't played this well since the lions.. hes been an animal in these warm up games
By Anonymous, at August 21, 2011 9:47 pm
mmm wish I could of used my fingers on powell whilst he was lying "prostrate"
By Richie McCaw, at August 21, 2011 9:51 pm
Welsh booing is terrible - seriously, you've won the game now shut up!
By Anonymous, at August 21, 2011 10:11 pm
Wales have a good team but they do not stand a chance winning the RWC 2011.
By Anonymous, at August 21, 2011 10:15 pm
Agreed - Irish fans are the best for this. Almost total silence whichever side is taking the kick (hats off to them). As a Welsh fan, I think we can get through the group and possibly spring a surprise on the Boks as long as Adam Jones stays fit and we sort out the lineout throwing. Still, to beat England (including on aggregate) and a strong Argentina side (although they were rusty and will bring it for the tournament itself), we have to be pretty pleased. Best World Cup build up that I can remember - '03 England shit on us in the warm up game but we still had a good tournament (nearly beat England in the quarter final). Should be a good one!
By Toby, at August 21, 2011 10:15 pm
The French are okay too: they do some clapping when a kick is about to be taken. They clap for both teams by the way. Nice!
Welsh seem to have their act together now. From a neutral point of view I hope they will do better then last time out.
By Guy, at August 21, 2011 10:22 pm
"The French are okay too: they do some clapping when a kick is about to be taken. They clap for both teams by the way. Nice!"
Are you f*****g kidding me?!?!? The French have like a 60 piece French Horn and drum band going off in the background of EVERY match ALL the time lol!!!
By Anonymous, at August 21, 2011 11:40 pm
@ toby
Im english wife is welsh, and although I love wc. There will never be anything like and england wales game.
For me the welsh squad is very exciting this year - I think george north we be a major name - more so than now by the end of september.
I hope Wales get at least a semi final!
By Savage, at August 22, 2011 1:36 am
I'm not expecting that much from Argentina this World Cup.
Their team is older and the game has changed so that their grinding, ten man style is not as effective now.
They will be competetive and could beat Scotland, but I genuinly don't think they will.
I believe Scotland and England will go thru in that group and the Argies will come third.
By Anonymous, at August 22, 2011 1:51 am
The booing isn't such a big deal. It's actually quite a new thing not to boo the kicker. It's nice I guess, but only some crowds do it. In the SH, it's not a thing, people cat call the kicker.
It's jsut not seen as a big deal, I mean in sport, crowds boo the opposition, it happens in all sports.
By Anonymous, at August 22, 2011 1:53 am
We need to sort out the set piece, our lineout and scrum are still dodgy. Knoyle was outstanding at 9 (keep him their), surprised how well powell played ( i usually start swearing when he plays) didn't give away lots of silly penalties. I think it's time byrne was droped, he is way of form. Lastly george north is without doubt an outstanding player, what's even better though is that his father is ENGLISH
By Welsh Boy, at August 22, 2011 5:32 am
pretty much every stadium apart from the irish boo the kicker its nothing new
By Anonymous, at August 22, 2011 7:16 am
LET'S SEE WHAT HAPPENS IN THE RWC! GO ARGENTINA!
By Anonymous, at August 22, 2011 7:35 am
The Irish don't boo the kicker as long as they are winning. It all goes out of the window otherwise:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NdvuYcvk5k
As for Wales, decent enough warm up matches. George North has finally finished his first 12 months in pro rugby too, he is coming along nicely.
By Stephen Jones' Wellies, at August 22, 2011 10:12 am
The booing happens mostly during "cheap" nothing games at the Millenium stadium mainly becuase there are so many kids and non-rugby fans there.
By Anonymous, at August 22, 2011 10:15 am
why does ttrugbyvids show the boring ass kicks,
By zacaria, at August 22, 2011 3:29 pm
Wales have a huge problem at number 2, down to their third choice and the ones that are in are running forwards, not good against SA, Fiji and Samoa. Injuries will kill us. Wish we had Englands group! nice stroll to the knockouts.
By Anonymous, at August 22, 2011 10:01 pm
By 27 minutes into the game, Wales should have been 3 tries down - one bad decision by Poite (nothing new there) and two poor plays. Also what is with Burne and his flying boot catches/charge downs?! I think that the BBC should NOT have two welsh men commentating on welsh matches! Also why is it that we are still waiting to see this amazing amount of skill and awesome strength from Alan Jones in the front row? Really don't rate him.
By Andy M, at August 24, 2011 1:03 pm
I dont think anyone rates Alan Jones as an international tight head prop Andy M.
By Anonymous, at August 24, 2011 7:20 pm
Ha, yea they would have been three tries down if they had been playing a team with any lustre. Adam Jones is an amazing prop and has done a number on the england scrum many times.
By Anonymous, at August 24, 2011 11:06 pm
Could you upload the highligths of Argentina - Worcester match from yesterday please?
By Feddderico, at August 25, 2011 1:04 am
^^^^ Who the hell is "Alan Jones"? ???
By Anonymous, at August 25, 2011 6:10 pm
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