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We were hugely unfortunate not to have cashed in on an underdog Argentinian outfit at the weekend. Juan Cruz Mallia was shown a red card after 29 minutes for a reckless tackle on Kieran Hardy, and that set the tone for the game, even if they showed tremendous courage to hold out for a 20-20 draw.
Wales will feel like they missed a chance in the opening game of this two-Test series, but they will take confidence in the difference half-back replacements Tomos Williams and Jarrod Evans made. Of course, they’re missing as many as 11 players to the Lions tour, as well as both Leigh Halfpenny and Justin Tipuric through injury, which is always going to make things tough against a Tier One nation.
Moreover, with Aaron Wainwright out injured as well, the ball carrying options for the hosts have been drastically reduced and that could well pave the way for the Pumas to take the series.
Mario Ledesma’s men will look to bully this slightly inexperienced Welsh team upfront yet again. If it wasn’t for the red card, you have to imagine they would have got the job done as it was telling that their fitness levels tailed off for the latter part of the game.
After such a significant impact in the opening Test, Cardiff half-backs Williams and Evans come into the starting team along with five other changes for the hosts. Elsewhere, Nick Tomkins replaces Willis Halaholo in the centre to partner skipper Jonathan Davies, while Gareth Thomas and Leon Brown come in at tight and loosehead prop.
Argentina 1-12 Point Winning Margin
We’re slightly surprised that the prices for the outfits haven’t been corrected more from the opening match. Wales still stand at odds-on favourites, and now without Wainwright, it looks a little on the skinny side. Wayne Pivac’s men still have a terrible record against the Tier One nations (excluding Italy & Japan), winning only three of their 12 such matches under current management, as each time fewer than 12 points separate the sides, and they look worth taking on.
The visitors have now drawn half their last six matches since November, beating New Zealand for the first time in that run. In fact, only the Kiwis have been good enough to outclass them over that period and this diminished Welsh side could have their work cut out if Argentina can keep 15 men on the field.
Argentina 1-12 Point Winning Margin At 9/2
WALES V ARGENTINA ODDS AVAILABLE HERE
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ODDS ARE CORRECT AS OF 15/07/2021 HOWEVER ARE SUBJECT TO FLUCTUATIONS
