Wales assistant coach Gethin Jenkins confirmed Leigh Halfpenny and Tommy Reffell will miss the Pumas clash in Cardiff on Saturday; kick-off is at 5.30pm with Wales looking to put a heavy defeat to New Zealand behind them and Argentina aiming to build on their victory over England
Tuesday 8 November 2022 15:32, UK
Wales have suffered a double injury blow ahead of their Autumn Nations Series clash against Argentina with Leigh Halfpenny and Tommy Reffell ruled out.
Full-back Halfpenny was selected to start the series-opening appointment with New Zealand last weekend, but he aggravated a hamstring problem and was officially withdrawn just over an hour before kick-off.
Leicester flanker Reffell suffered a rib injury during the 55-23 defeat and was forced off.
Wales assistant coach Gethin Jenkins has confirmed both players will miss the Pumas clash in Cardiff on Saturday.
"Leigh is not going to be available this week, and Tommy won't be available," defence specialist Jenkins said.
"They are the only two, I think at the moment, that are fully ruled out for the weekend."
Gareth Anscombe was switched from fly-half to full-back as Halfpenny's replacement against the All Blacks, with Rhys Priestland starting in the No 10 jersey.
Wales head coach Wayne Pivac could go down the same route against Argentina, although he should have another option with the versatile Josh Adams now back in full training after a hand injury.
Wales captain Justin Tipuric looks set to move across the back-row from blindside to openside, with potentially Dan Lydiate or Exeter's Christ Tshiunza at six.
Assistant coach and defence specialist Jenkins said there's no point in Wales feeling sorry for themselves after their heavy defeat by New Zealand.
Wales shipped 55 points to the All Blacks - the most they have conceded during 138 years of Test rugby in the Welsh capital - with that haul including eight tries.
"We were very disappointed as a whole group, staff and management," Jenkins said.
"We had a busy and quite emotional day on Monday picking the game apart to find out where we can get better. There were a lot of honest conversations around. There is no point in us feeling sorry for ourselves.
"In terms of defence, they got into our 22 and scored seven tries. There is a lot of frustration, but we've got another big Test match at the weekend and we just need to get better.
"I didn't believe any of the stuff about the All Blacks losing their aura because they had lost a few games. They are still a great team.
"We knew pretty much what was coming in terms of their power-game, their pick and go and their forward carriers. They didn't surprise us - we just couldn't match that. I am not hiding away from that, and neither are the players."
Argentina are next up at the Principality Stadium - Georgia and Australia follow later this month. The Pumas beat Wales comfortably in Cardiff 16 months ago, and have started their autumn with a victory over England at Twickenham having also beaten the All Blacks away this year.
"They hardly touched the ball against England, yet still came away with a win. That shows the quality they've got," Jenkins said.
"It is going to be a very similar game to the ones we had with South Africa in the summer.
"They are comfortable at getting up and making physical tackles, and they looked like they were comfortable on Sunday against England in terms of defending what England threw at them.
"People hold on in the back of their mind to the fact that we used to beat them regularly. They have improved no end.
"They had a bit of a lull before they lost their last coach, but this new coaching team has got them firing and they've brought through younger players who are excelling at that level.
"They have got dangerous backs and we are under no illusions how well they did in the Rugby Championship and what they will bring on Saturday."
