Argentina v Wales LIVE: Hosts restore parity after early Welsh try

The Pumas very much on top right now.

They get to the 22 before winning a penalty.

Wales then turn over the ball before a knock-on five metres out.

Steve Tandy’s side haven't had an ideal preparation for this game, and face six flights in two weeks, with South Africa up next in Durban.

The touring party was split over two flights on consecutive days from London Heathrow to Buenos Aires, meaning there's been just one full training day at the Buenos Aires Rugby and Cricket ground on Wednesday.

However, Lake doesn't believe Wales can use it as an excuse.

“You can complain about the travel and the flights and things like that, but many sportspeople in different countries will be used to it.

"Argentina would have done it coming over to play us plenty of times.

"The first couple of days is tough, but you get back to normal and into a rhythm. This week is no different.”

Adam Beard knows all about what it takes to win in Argentina, having started in Wales' 23-10 win against the Pumas eight years ago in San Juan.

He's confident the class of 26 can do it again.

"It's great to be back here eight years after the last time and how quick that time has gone, it's crazy," he told the BBC.

"Argentina are a proud nation with a great rugby side. There's a few of us who've been here before and had some good victories.

"The squad has changed since then but hopefully we can get a result this weekend."

The Estadio San Juan del Bicentenario in San Juan is an intimate venue that holds just over 25,000.

"They can be hostile crowds but as rugby players and sports people these are the type of events and places that you want to go and play in," added Beard.

"To experience different crowds and teams is great, so the boys are looking forward to playing on the weekend."

WalesOnline rugby writer Steff Thomas says there's certainly a case for opting Sam Costelow at fly-half, but says the lack of a 10 on the bench feels like something of a gamble.

Steve Tandy has tinkered with his side following last Saturday’s victory over Fiji, but the changes he has made are significant.

The decision to start Sam Costelow ahead of Dan Edwards is certain to divide opinion, yet there is a compelling case for it.

Edwards is an exciting young fly-half with genuine pace and a natural instinct to attack the line. He backs himself, embraces responsibility and is not afraid to make decisive interventions.

Against Fiji, however, he fell short of his usual standards, particularly from the kicking tee. It was a reminder that, for all his promise, he remains a player developing at Test level.

There is little doubt he will benefit from the experience but getting dropped from the entire 23 must be a bitter poll to swallow.

Costelow's path has been very different. He has endured a difficult introduction to international rugby, thrust into a struggling side before he had the opportunity to establish himself.

But it is a huge risk not selecting a genuine 10 on the bench and Wales will need Costelow to play the enitre 80 minutes.

The decision to bench Louis Rees-Zammit tonight is perhaps one of the significant talking points heading into this clash.

Ellis Mee was drafted in on the wing in his place as part of three changes from the win over Fiji.

Wales legend Jonathan Davies believes Rees-Zammit needs to show more hunger to make the most of his talents.

"His pride will probably be dented so when the opportunity comes off the bench hopefully we see someone who doesn't want to relinquish a starting spot," Davies told the Scrum V podcast.

"Ellis Mee has shown more of an appetite to get on the ball.

"Rees-Zammit has X-factor when he gets the ball in his hands but Ellis has worked off his wing to get more touches.

"If Rees-Zammit is our most dangerous player then why aren't we encouraging him to get on the ball?

"I am sure the coaches are doing that and you can't expect the ball to find its way to the wing.

"Shane Williams always used to work hard, we always tried to get George North and Alex Cuthbert on the ball as much as we could.

"I want to see more hunger from Louis to try and get his hands on the ball, and not just on the wing."

Wales could return to the top 10 in the world rankings for the first time in two years this weekend.

Steve Tandy's side are currently ranked 11th in the world - having closed the gap on the top 10 following a win over ninth-ranked Fiji last weekend. Victory over Argentina in San Juan on Saturday would see them back in the top 10, providing Italy don't beat New Zealand for their first time in their history.

Wales fell out of the top 10 in the world rankings for the first time in their history back in July 2024 under Warren Gatland, with the former coach presiding over a 14-Test losing run.

That would eventually stretch to 18 Test matches after Gatland departed, with Wales falling as low as 14th in the world.

Under Tandy, things have improved - with Wales winning one match in each of their past four campaigns.

A return to the top 10 is hopefully on the cards at some point, but that could be difficult to achieve this weekend against Argentina.

The last time the two sides met back in November, Argentina scored 52 points in Cardiff.

Wales aren't the only side who could move into the top 10 this weekend.

Japan could make it back there for the first time since July 2023 if they beat Ireland in Australia, providing Italy and Wales lose.

Elsewhere, South Africa could surrender top spot - but it would take a first-ever home defeat to Scotland, with a margin of more than 15 points, and New Zealand beating Italy.

The All Blacks themselves could fall down to third, but that would require a loss to Italy and Ireland beating Japan.

France could overtake Ireland in third place. That would need them to beat Australia and Japan to beat the Irish, with one of those matches needing a winning margin of more than 15 points.

England could climb to fourth with victory over Fiji, providing Scotland lose and France lost by more than 15 points.

But were Fiji to win in Liverpool, they could climb up to seventh. That would take a big win over England and Australia losing.

Scotland could also climb to a new high - with third and fourth possible. However, Gregor Townsend's side could also drop back to seventh if England and Argentina win - with Los Pumas needing to beat Wales by more than 15 points.

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