Warren Gatland has selected an wildly inauspicious Welsh side, including a couple bolters, hoping to get one back on the Pumas who left Millenium Stadium smiling this time last year.
WALES vs ARGENTINA
Saturday, November 16, 14:30 GMT, Cardiff
There were words whispered around the Welsh countryside today that Warren Gatland had lost the plot. Overshadowing the bold selection of uncapped 20-year old Cory Allen at centre is the fantastical decision to select Rhodri Jones at tighthead prop, whose only start this season has come in an LV= Cup match against the Dragons. The level of incredulity arising from this selection cannot be overstated given that Jones is considered third, if not fourth, choice at his club, and Samson Lee – not only the man touted by many to be the successor to Adam Jones at tighthead but currently first choice at Scarlets ahead of Rhodri – is on the bench!
Let’s put this further into perspective. Jones toured Japan with the makeshift Welsh squad in June, and his only appearance came as a replacement in the second test, a test Wales lost, and it came at loosehead prop, the position most consider him to be better suited for. Let’s top off this delicious descent into madness with the fact that his opponent on Saturday will be Marcos Ayerza, probably the best loosehead on the planet at the moment.
If Jones and Allen pull through dear old Gats could look like a genius, but at what cost if it all goes pear-shaped? Somewhere buried in the madness is the fact that Gethin Jenkins will walk out for his 100th cap on Saturday, not partnered by his favourite front row compatriot but instead by a boy sent up the river without a paddle. A stranger set of circumstances you could not imagine.
Dan Lydiate’s bad ankle will spare him from the uncertainty, with Justin Tipuric elevated to the starting lineup and Ryan Jones recalled to the bench. Rhys Priestland’s ordinary effort against the Springboks has seen Dan Bigger restored to flyhalf, and Liam Williams is expected to shake off a mild concussion suffered on the weekend in time to start with Tom Prydie on standby should he fail a late fitness test.
The Pumas have opted for four changes, none of which conjure shock or awe. Manuel Carizza returns to partner Patricio Albacete at lock, and Martin Landajo rotates with Tomas Cubelli at scrumhalf. Santiago Cordero is handed his run-on debut in place of injured Juan Imhoff, and little known but highly capable Joaquin Tuculet replaces Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino at fullback.
Top prospects Matias Diaz and Tomas Lavanini join equally promising Santiago Iglesias and Nahuel Lobo as young but exciting tight five replacements, with Leonardo Senatore joining the side from his new club Worcester. Glasgow centre Gabriel Ascarate also finds a home on the bench with Gonzalo Tiesi crocked once again.
Odds are the new lad will be vaporized in the scrum, depriving Wales of their best attacking platform. Biggar is not noted for his abilities to control a match going backwards, and Mike Phillips has a tendency to take things on too much by himself in such situations. Justin Tipuric is a superb link player but against a grizzly Pumas pack might not be the best man for the job.
The final verdict? Argentina put one over on the Welsh again, rebuffing the rookies and spoiling any thoughts of revenge. The Pumas dominate the tight phases and defend just well enough to squeak a 3 point win thanks to a long range penalty goal from Marcelo Bosch. Maybe next year, Gats.
Referee: John Lacey (IRFU)
Assistants: Steve Walsh (ARU) & Lourens van der Merwe (SARU)
TMO: Simon McDowell (IRFU)
