"Day to forget" - Four Wales players who flopped against Argentina

Join our Breaking News and Top Stories WhatsApp community for all the latest news direct to your phone.

To make matters worse, inspirational captain Jac Morgan was forced off with what Tandy later described as a suspected dislocated shoulder. While there were few bright spots, several players endured outings they will want to quickly move on from.

Here, we look at four Wales players who had days to forget.

It was a nightmare outing for Thomas, whose costly errors defined his performance. A reckless forward pass, a needless yellow card for kicking Matera, and a disastrous intercepted pass all contributed to Wales’ struggles. Despite flashes of creativity and one bright link-up with Rees-Zammit, his decision-making and composure deserted him.

Planet Rugby: " It was a day to forget for the Cardiff man. He threw a speculative forward pass under no pressure, early on. Then shortly afterwards, he lost his composure in the tackle, resulting in 10 minutes in the sin-bin. Later, he criminally gave away an interception try when trying to pop the ball out back in his own 22 metre area. Thomas did well to set Louis Rees-Zammit free down the right touchline towards the end of the match, but then aimlessly kicked the ball 20 metres into the Argentina defence’s hands just phases later."

RUCK: "The Cardiff Rugby player seems to have made the No. 12 jersey his own after starting the last six games there, but this was an afternoon to forget. He was sent to the sin bin for ten minutes after kicking Matera—a costly moment, as the visitors scored twice during that period. He also threw the pass that Prisciantelli intercepted to score."

Rugby Pass: "A stupid moment when he lashed out at Matera, who was holding his leg, and only a bad aim spared him a direct hit to the flanker’s head and a likely red card. He has a key role to play as the second playmaker, but you cannot have suspect decision-making under pressure in that role, and his kicking showed he’s still raw."

RUCK 6, Planet Rugby 4, Wales Online 5, Rugby Pass 6

Adams endured a frustrating game, struggling to handle Argentina’s back three and offering little attacking spark. His defensive output was minimal, with just two tackles and one miss, and his kicking lacked purpose. Though his experience remains vital, he appeared short of confidence and influence in another subdued international display.

Quotes:

Wales Online: "Found it difficult to cope with the pace and power of the Pumas' back three. There were a couple of aimless kicks on his part and he doesn't offer the attacking threat he once did at this level."

Planet Rugby: "Besides a couple of important chases, it was a very quiet day for the former British and Irish Lion. He made just two tackles and missed one, meaning he had a 33% tackle success rate. "

Rugby Pass: "The 30-year-old could be lost to English or French club rugby when his Cardiff deal runs out at the end of the season, and his experience remains vital for a backline low on caps. He got little time with ball in hand and spent much of the first half manning the ramparts before a couple of positive contributions."

Jenkins worked tirelessly in defence, racking up 16 tackles and lasting the full match, but lacked the physical impact needed at Test level. Overshadowed by partner Beard, he gave away an early penalty and looked more like a flanker than a lock. His energy impressed, yet his power remains in question.

Rugby Pass: "Jenkins made his first appearance since the Guinness Six Nations and while he has a great engine, the game at this level requires more in terms of big hitting from a second row. He continues to look like a blindside flanker in the wrong position."

Wales Online: "The Exeter Chiefs lock got through a mountain of work, putting in 16 tackles and fronted up well to a powerful Pumas front five. Jenkins' work rate can never be questioned and the 22-year-old also offered himself as a carrier."

RUCK: "After missing the summer tour of the Far East, it wasn’t the best performance to mark the 22-year-old’s return to international rugby. Overshadowed by Beard’s superiority, he needed to match his second-row partner’s tempo, which he didn’t manage to do."

Planet Rugby: "Gave away an early penalty, which allowed Pumas a five-metre lineout. This unnecessary early intensity started Los Pumas on a voyage that Wales struggled to keep up with. He survived the full 80 minutes on the field, which shouldn’t go unnoticed, making an impressive 16 tackles in the process."

Rogers showed pace and determination, sparking Wales’ first try with a sharp break and offload, but his defensive frailties were exposed. Missed tackles on Matera and Carreras proved costly, and his aerial work was limited. Despite early promise and effort, he failed to convince as a consistent Test-level winger.

RUCK: "The winger, under pressure to perform following the return of Louis Rees-Zammit, played decently and forced Pablo Matera into an early mistake. However, he was replaced early in the second half by the Bristol Bears player, as it was ultimately an uninspiring afternoon from the 26-year-old."

Rugby Pass: "The wing showed his elusive running to help set up the try for Tomos Williams and is the key man to chase restarts for Wales. But while he gets there impressively, what he does next is not Test class. This was summed up by his miss on Pablo Matera, who caught the kick-off, evaded Rogers’ despairing dive, and set up the sucker-punch try for Mateo Carreras before half-time. Pace is key – but only if backed up by the technical skills to make the most of it."

Planet Rugby: "Another player to see very little of the ball, Rogers did, however, have a major impact on Wales’ first try, showing real pace to break the Pumas line before offloading to Jac Morgan. His defence, however, will need some major improvements moving forward after missing four tackles throughout the match."

Wales Online: "Didn't get as much joy in the air as he would have liked. Looked dangerous with ball in hand, making one incisive break to set up a try for Tomos Williams. Found it difficult to contain livewire Pumas wing Mateo Carreras and missed a tackle on Pablo Matera in the lead up to a try on the stroke of half-time."