Joaquin Oviedo scores two tries as Argentina dominates Wales in the Nations Championship match held in San Juan.
New Delhi, India Jul 12, 2026 ALN: Nations Championship
Argentina (28) 35
Tries: Oviedo 2, Piccardo, Kremer, S Carreras, Cons: Albornoz 5
Wales (14) 21
Tries: Lake, Carre, Warren Cons: Costelow 3
In a thrilling encounter during the Nations Championship, Argentina demonstrated their prowess on the field, overpowering Wales with a scoreline of 35 to 21 in San Juan. The match showcased the strength of the Argentine team, led by number eight Joaquin Oviedo, who scored two tries. This victory was particularly significant for Argentina as it marked a strong comeback after their opening tournament defeat against Scotland, where they had lost a close match, 47-38.
The Pumas, ranked seventh in the world, displayed a dominant performance, scoring five tries in total. Alongside Oviedo's impressive contributions, centre Justo Piccardo, flanker Marcos Kremer, and full-back Santiago Carreras also crossed the line for Argentina, while fly-half Tomas Albornoz successfully converted five kicks, adding a total of 10 points to the scoreboard. This comprehensive display of skill and teamwork was a welcome sight for the home fans, who were eager to see their team rebound after a challenging start to the tournament.
Wales, on the other hand, faced a reality check after their previous successes against Italy and Fiji, marking their first back-to-back Test victories since 2023. The Welsh team had hoped to build on this momentum, but the Argentine side proved to be a formidable opponent. Wales opened the scoring with a try from captain Dewi Lake, who unfortunately limped off the field later in the match due to injury. Following Lake's try, Rhys Carre and Ben Warren also scored for Wales, but their efforts fell short against the relentless Argentine attack.
The match served as a stark reminder of the challenges Wales faces as they prepare for their next encounter against the world champions, South Africa, in Durban. This upcoming match will be crucial for Wales as they seek to regain their footing after a disappointing performance against Argentina.
Wales Make Bright Start Before Pumas Take Control
In the lead-up to the match, Wales had traveled a considerable distance, making a 7,000-mile journey from Cardiff to Buenos Aires. The team faced logistical challenges, including an 18-hour flight divided into two parts, which limited their training time in Argentina. They managed only one training session in the capital before taking a two-hour flight to San Juan, a city where they had previously secured a victory in 2018.
Wales made several changes to their lineup in response to their previous victories, with wing Louis Rees-Zammit starting on the bench and Ellis Mee taking his place. Additionally, fly-half Sam Costelow and flanker James Botham replaced Dan Edwards and Alex Mann, respectively. These changes were made in an effort to adapt to the unique challenges posed by the Argentine team.
Argentina's head coach Felipe Contepomi also made adjustments, implementing five changes from the squad that faced Scotland. Notably, props Boris Wenger and Tomas Rapetti made their first Test starts, while Kremer, Piccardo, and Bautista Delguy were brought into the side to bolster the team's performance.
The match began with an electric atmosphere as Guido Petti, a Harlequins lock, led the Argentine side onto the field, celebrating his milestone of 100 caps for the Pumas. However, it was Wales who struck first, with Lake scoring a try driven over from a maul, a tactic that had proven effective in their previous match against Fiji.
Argentina quickly responded with a well-coordinated attacking move involving Santiago Carreras and Mateo Carreras, culminating in Oviedo charging over for his first try. The Argentine team continued to apply pressure, showcasing their physicality and skill. They asserted dominance in the aerial battle, with Delguy outjumping Costelow to secure an attacking kick, which set the stage for Piccardo to evade a tackle and score in the corner.
Argentina Wrap Up Bonus Point Before Half-Time
The second half saw Wales make several substitutions, introducing props Nicky Smith and Warren, along with Rees-Zammit and lock Teddy Williams. However, the Argentine dominance continued, with Oviedo scoring his second try shortly after the break. The match also marked a significant milestone for Wales as Ryan Elias made his 50th Test appearance, replacing the injured captain Lake.
Another noteworthy moment occurred when Exeter back-rower Kane James made his debut, stepping onto the field to replace Aaron Wainwright. James had only been on the pitch for a brief moment when Warren scored his first Test try, providing a glimmer of hope for the Welsh side as they sought to rally in the final stages of the match.
Despite enjoying more possession and territory in the latter part of the game, Wales struggled to break down the resilient Argentine defense. Their attempts to secure two late bonus points were thwarted when an off-the-ball challenge went unpenalized by the officials, leaving Wales with a sense of frustration as the match came to a close.
How They Lined Up
Argentina: S Carreras; Delguy, Cinti, Piccardo, M Carreras; Albornoz, Garcia; Wenger, Montoya (capt), Rapetti, Petti, Alemanno, Grondona, Kremer, Oviedo.
Replacements: Ruiz, Vivas, Coria Marchetti, Molina, Matera, Benitez Cruz, Moroni, Ignacio.
Wales: Murray; Mee, E James, Hawkins, Adams; Costelow, Tomos Williams; Carre, Lake (capt), Lewis, Carter, Beard, Botham, J Morgan, Wainwright.
Replacements: Elias, N Smith, Warren, Teddy Williams, K James, Hardy, Llewellyn, Rees-Zammit.
Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Angus Gardner (Australia), Nika Amashukeli (Georgia)
TMO: Tual Trainini (France).
This match not only highlights the competitive nature of international but also underscores the importance of adaptability and resilience in the face of challenging circumstances. As both teams look ahead to their next fixtures, the lessons learned from this encounter will undoubtedly shape their strategies moving forward in the Nations Championship.
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