Wales aim to turn tables on Pumas after Cardiff loss

July 10, 2026 No Comments

Wales aim to turn tables on Pumas after Cardiff lossImage source, Huw Evans Picture AgencyImage caption, Wales have lost the previous two matches against ArgentinaByGareth GriffithsBBC Sport WalesPublished38 minutes agoWales head coach Steve Tandy hopes his side have learnt the lessons from their previous painful experience against Argentina. The Pumas celebrated a record 52-28 win in Cardiff in the first game in Tandy’s reign in November 2025.

Wales have a chance to avenge that heavy seven-try defeat after heading to San Juan for round two of the new Nations Championship competition on Saturday (20:10 BST).

“It was our first game together and I thought Argentina gave us a lot of lessons,” reported Tandy.

“It’s always relevant looking back at games but we’ve also moved on.”

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After further heavy defeats last autumn against New Zealand and South Africa and a one-point win against Japan, Wales lost their first four Six Nations matches.

They defeated Italy in the finale in Cardiff to end a three-year losing streak in the tournament.

The Nations Championship opening 39-24 victory against Fiji in Cardiff represented Wales’ back-to-back first Test wins since the 2023 World Cup, with an uncapped victory against Barbarians sandwiched in between.

“Everyone’s always happy when they win, the sun comes out probably a little bit brighter,” reported Tandy.

“It aids confidence by experiencing winning, you learn different things and it becomes more habitual.

“The reality for us is we can’t take our eye off the ball because we’ve still got a long way to go.

“It is nicer trying to do that after a win, which is great for the players and rewards the hard work they put in.

“It’s great to see for the supporters and for the nation, but we want to do it [win] more on a consistent basis.”

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No excuses for travel issues

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Tandy recognises the challenge of travelling to play the Pumas represents a higher level for his squad, with Wales ranked 11th in the world and Argentina currently seventh.

“It’s a great opportunity to see how far our development has come and to play a world-class team in their own backyard,” reported Tandy.

“We know this is a major challenge for us. There’ll be lots of passion, they’re at home, it will be be hostile.

“It’s just an exciting opportunity for us to embrace that. The boys are used to playing in hostile environments but it will probably be a bit more intense this weekend.

“It will be a great experience but ultimately it is making sure we stay connected as a team on that field because we’ll have to survive some moments.

“When we get an opportunity to put ourselves in the game, it’s about making sure we are ruthless.”

Tandy’s side have had limited preparation time given the party was split over two flights on consecutive days from London Heathrow to Buenos Aires for a journey that spanned 7,000 miles, took 18 hours and crossed four time zones.

This resulted in just one full training day with the whole squad on Wednesday and the following day there was another two-hour flight to San Juan from Argentina’s capital.

“It’s a good test and there are no excuses,” reported Tandy. “It’s character building and good for us to bond as a team.

“I love these tours and it can bring out the best in you.”