In June 2006, the Wales national rugby union team travelled to Argentina for a two-test series against the Argentina national team. The first test was played on 11 June in Puerto Madryn, a city in the heart of the former Welsh colony in Patagonia, founded by Welsh settlers in 1865. The second test was played in Buenos Aires a week later. They were Wales' first matches under the management of new head coach Gareth Jenkins, who had been appointed to replace Mike Ruddock in April 2006. The test series was thrown into doubt earlier in the year after 60 Argentine players threatened to retire from international duty due to a dispute with the Argentine Rugby Union (UAR), but this was resolved at the end of May 2006.[1] Argentina won both tests, claiming a 27–25 victory in Puerto Madryn before a more convincing 45–27 win in Buenos Aires.
Background
This was Wales' fourth tour to Argentina, and the third for which they awarded caps. The first tour took place in 1968, when Argentina won the first match and drew the second. Wales won both matches in the first capped series in 1999, while the two sides won a test each in 2004.[2]
Ospreys centre Gavin Henson was the first to withdraw from the original squad due to fitness concerns.[5] Although Jenkins initially said that a specialist inside centre would be called up to replace Henson,[6]Nathan Brew of the Dragons was called up two weeks later to fill the vacant berth.[7] Prop Gethin Jenkins and back row Dafydd Jones both withdrew with shoulder injuries before the end of May, replaced by Blues prop John Yapp and Dragons flanker Jamie Ringer respectively.[8] Centre Hal Luscombe was the final withdrawal, having suffered a rib injury in the Dragons' Heineken Cup play-off against Overmach Parma, and replaced by Blues utility back Nick Macleod.[9]
The first test was played in Puerto Madryn, a city founded by Welsh settlers in Patagonia in 1865. Despite the large Welsh-speaking population in the area, this was the Wales national team's first visit there. The game was originally scheduled for 10 June 2006, but was put back to 11 June to avoid a clash with Argentina's opening match at the 2006 FIFA World Cup against the Ivory Coast.[10]
Ian Evans and Alun Wyn Jones started the match to earn their first caps for Wales, while Richard Hibbard and James Hook were named on the bench.[11] Evans scored a 45-metre interception try to put Wales in front after Juan Manuel Leguizamón had controversially cancelled out Mark Jones' third-minute opening score; after Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe charged down a clearing kick from Mike Phillips, referee Alain Rolland deemed Leguizamón to have grounded the ball before it reached the dead ball line, although video replays gave evidence to the contrary. José María Núñez Piossek's try and a pair of penalties from Federico Todeschini meant the home side took a 20–12 lead into half-time, helped by the sin-binnings of Wales back-row forwards Gavin Thomas for dissent and Alix Popham for collapsing an Argentina maul. Two penalties from Nicky Robinson reduced the margin to two points, but Francisco Leonelli put Argentina 27–18 up with three minutes of the game to go. Hook scored a try in injury time, converted by Robinson, but it proved mere consolation.[12]
The second test was played in Buenos Aires six days later. Argentina fly-half Federico Todeschini opened the scoring with a penalty after Ian Evans was sin-binned for killing the ball. Inside centre Felipe Contepomi returned to the starting line-up after completing his medical exams in Ireland – one of three changes to the home side's starting line-up[13] – and was involved in the first try, charging down a clearance kick from James Hook to present midfield partner Gonzalo Tiesi with a simple try. Todeschini converted the try and kicked two more penalties in the first half, while two from Hook meant Argentina led 16–6 at half-time. The home side added to their lead shortly after the break, when Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe burst through a tackle from Gavin Thomas to score a try, which Todeschini converted before kicking a further two penalties. Hook was sin-binned for a high tackle on Todeschini shortly before the hour mark, while Rhys Thomas came on for Adam Jones to make his international debut. The numbers were levelled soon after, when Martín Scelzo was yellow-carded for foul play, and Wales took advantage through Gareth Delve's first international try; however, two more Todeschini penalties sandwiched Tiesi's second try, which the fly-half also converted from out wide. Wales completed the scoring with tries from Shane Williams and Lee Byrne, while Hook and Nicky Robinson chipped in with the conversions, reducing the losing margin to 18 points. With five minutes to go, Argentina hooker Pablo Gambarini came on to make his international debut.[14] Wales coach Gareth Jenkins blamed the loss on their inability to create a strong platform through the forwards.[15] Despite losing the series 2–0, assistant coach Nigel Davies said the tour was a success in terms of having been able to expand the nation's player pool with five new caps.[16] Shane Williams said the young players would have to adapt physically and improve their discipline in order to make a successful transition to the international level.[17] Ian Evans was later cited for a late charge on Argentina captain Agustín Pichot that was not punished with a card during the game; he was banned for six weeks, beginning in August 2006, ruling him out of the Ospreys' pre-season programme and the start of the Celtic League season.[18]
