Magners League Official Website : Wales mauled by Pumas

Shane Williams was on the scoresheet for Wales

Wales mauled by Pumas

17 June 2006, 10:47 pm

By Chris Marais

New Wales coach Garteh Jenkins will have to wait until the autumn to try and record his first victory in charge of the national side, after they lost their second Test against Argentina 45-27.

The boot of Federico Todeschini did most of the damage for the home side, while Wales scorred tries through Gareth Delve, Lee Byrne and Shane Williams

All the talk prior to kick-off in the Argentine capital was that off a first start for James Hook, the 20-year-old forcing his way into the side at inside centre following a try from the bench in the first Test defeat in Puerto Madryn.

Matthew Watkins made way, one of several members of the touring squad affected by a bout of food poisoning in the build-up, Huw Bennett replacing Rhys Thomas at hooker.

Argentina welcomed back star man Felipe Contepomi after he missed the first Test to study for medical exams, but the Leinster fly-half was pushed inside at centre as Federico Todeschini kept his place following his 13-point haul a week ago.

And the Beziers number 10 quickly got on the scoreboard, slotting the game«s first score with a penalty on five minutes, Hook unable to reply when given the chance soon after.

Hook went some way to making up for his error when he gave the tourists their first points of the evening with his 28th minute penalty.

But Wales would suffer further before the break, losing centre Jamie Robinson to a knee injury before Todeschini kicked a third goal from the two chances given to make it 16-6 at the interval following a late Hook long-range effort.

It would not get much better for the visitors after the restart as Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe made it two tries for the Test series when he shot over the line after 42 minutes, escaping the tackle of Gavin Thomas for a clear run.

Tired legs allowed Shane Williams to dance over from close range in injury time before a Lee Byrne breakaway score, both converted by Hook, at least gave Wales something to crow about in the dying stages.