Match News and Current Form
Wales beat Japan in Kobe in their last game back in July, a much-needed and welcome victory for the side who had lost their 18 previous Tests from the start of 2024. As a result, the hosts will be targeting back-to-back victories for the first time since October 2023 and their first win at home in two years when this fixture gets underway in Cardiff.
This will also be their first game under head coach Steve Tandy who has a tough opener against a side ranked six places above the hosts. There’s a return to international rugby for Louis Rees-Zammit following his unsuccessful defection to the NFL, and he comes back via the bench while prop Rhys Carre starts for his country for the first time since 2023.
Argentina were beaten by South Africa in their last two games, 67-30 in Durban in late September followed by a narrow 29-27 defeat at Twickenham a week later. Prior to those losses, Los Pumas had won three of their previous five matches (L2) which included victories over Australia and New Zealand.
In the matchday 23 announced by coach Felipe Contepomi, there are over 900 caps which includes captain Julian Montoya (115 caps) and vice-captain Pablo Matera (119 caps). Bautista Delguy and Mateo Carreras begin on the wings at a venue where Argentina famously beat Ireland 43-20 in the 2015 RWC.
Head-to-Head History
Argentina have won two of the last three H2Hs, with one of those victories coming in Cardiff and the other in the quarter-finals of the 2023 RWC. Wales did win the last H2H at the Principality Stadium though with a 20-13 victory in November 2022.
Hot Stats and Streaks
Wales have conceded 22+ points in 20 of their last 21 games.
Wales have been ahead at half-time in their last two and three of their last five matches (W1, L4).
Argentina have scored 24-30 points in each of their last six games (W2, L4)
There has been a margin of between 0-3 points at half-time in Argentina’s last five matches.
Key Players to Watch and Missing Players
Dan Edwards scored 16 of Wales’ 31 points in their win over Japan, including all ten of their second half points. Bautista Delguy scored two tries in last month’s defeat to South Africa and also touched down in his previous international appearance against Australia in September.
Experienced Taulupe Faletau will miss all of Wales’ autumn internationals with a knee injury while Argentina are without six first-choice names including Tomas Albornoz and Gonzalo Garcia.
Betting Analysis
Looking at recent points tallies against Wales and points scored by Argentina, backing Los Pumas to score between 24-26 points makes a lot of sense!
Author: Tom Penn
