Wales secured their first Test series victory in Argentina since 1999 with a 30-12 victory over the Pumas in Santa Fe.
Warren Gatland’s side scored two tries, courtesy of Josh Adams and Hallam Amos, while Rhys Patchell contributed 20 points from the kicking tee.
Daniel Hourcade’s woeful outfit crossed for two tries through Bautista Delguy and Julian Montoya – the second of which came after a red card for Wales’ Ross Moriarty.
The tourists started the game strongly, putting Argentina under a huge amount of pressure in their own 22 and resulting in Rob Evans being held up over the line. Patchell nudged Wales into the lead after the hosts were deemed to be offside.
The Scarlets outside-half doubled Wales’ lead five minutes later with a second penalty attempt.
The Pumas threatened for the first time when Delguy was put in space before kicking over the top of the Wales defence, forcing Patchell to race back under pressure.
Worcester winger Adams scored Wales’ opening try with a stunning effort from inside his own half. With the visitors on the attack, a loose pass from Patchell was regathered by Adams, who beat three defenders before showing his pace to run in unopposed.
SGÔR TERFYNOL | ? Wales secure their first series win in Argentina since 1999 and go 3 from 3 in their Summer Tour of the Americas. pic.twitter.com/zGyDewxlfs
— Welsh Rugby Union ? (@WelshRugbyUnion) June 16, 2018
Gatland’s side had a second try disallowed when Patchell chipped over the top of the defence for Owen Watkin to touch down. However, the Ospreys centre was denied his first international try when the touch judge informed the referee the player was in front of the ball.
Instead, Wales had to settle for three points as Patchell successfully kicked the penalty from in front of the posts.
Patchell further extended the visitors’ lead from 35 metres out after Argentina had infringed at the breakdown.
Just when Wales seemed to be coasting to a comfortable victory Pumas lock Guido Petti beat Scott Williams on the outside before drawing his man to put Delguy over for a try, meaning the visitors led 19-5 at the interval.
The Argentinian scrum was under pressure throughout the 80 minutes and cost them a further three points in the early stages of the second period.
Wales’ may have won the physical battle, but their back line was also mightily impressive. Their class behind the scrum was evident when Amos crossed for their second try of the game.
To their credit Argentina refused to throw in the towel with their forwards carrying hard into the heart of the Wales defence – but they were turned over whenever they began to apply pressure.
However, the game finished on a sour note when Wales number eight Moriarty was sent off for dangerously putting Argentina fly-half Nicolas Sanchez in a headlock.
It resulted in the hosts grabbing a consolation try when replacement hooker Montoya crossed from short range, with Sanchez converting.
