Wales suffers heavy defeat in Tandy’s first match
Wales began the Steve Tandy era with a sobering defeat as Argentina stormed to a record 52-28 victory in Cardiff, reports BritPanorama.
The match served as a stark introduction for Tandy, the first Welshman to lead the men’s national side since 2007, as the Pumas showcased their attacking prowess with seven tries. Geronimo Prisciantelli claimed two tries, while Pedro Delgado, Simon Benitez Cruz, Mateo Carreras, Bautista Delguy, and Santiago Grondona also crossed the line. Santi Carreras added 17 points from the boot, further compounding Wales’ struggles.
For Wales, who initially levelled the score at 14-14 after a rough start, tries came from Tomos Williams, Dewi Lake, Jac Morgan, and Blair Murray. Dan Edwards successfully converted three penalties, with Jarrod Evans adding a fourth. Despite some positives, including an impressive performance from captain Morgan before his injury, the Welsh team faced another demanding test, following nine consecutive home defeats.
The Pumas did not waste time taking control of the match. Delgado powered over to score in just seven minutes, followed swiftly by Prisciantelli’s first Test try, leaving Wales trailing 14-0 within the opening ten minutes. The hosts fought back through a series of decisive plays, but Argentina’s relentless offense surged past their previous highest victory over Wales, set at 33-11 in 2021, underscoring the enormity of Tandy’s challenge ahead.
Argentina swiftly exploited a numerical advantage when Welsh player Ben Thomas was sin-binned, allowing Santi Carreras to score from a penalty. Shortly after the restart, Mateo Carreras added to the tally, as momentum firmly remained with the visitors. Despite Morgan’s ambition in contributing to Wales’ response, his injury, alongside Prisciantelli’s second interception try, sealed a dramatic and decisive win for the Pumas.
The final score exemplifies the struggles facing a Welsh side undergoing transition, highlighting both the immediate and longer-term challenges that lie ahead for Tandy in reviving the team’s fortunes. The improved performance seen in recent months now appears a distant memory, a reminder that rebuilding in rugby is seldom a linear journey.
