Wales 28-52 Argentina: Steve Tandy's first Test in charge sees hosts suffer big Autumn Nations Series defeat
Argentina score seven tries at Principality Stadium in Cardiff to rack up 52 points in victory over Wales; Test saw Steve Tandy take charge of Wales as head coach for first time - first Welshman to do so since 2007; Wales skipper Jac Morgan suffers suspected shoulder dislocation in defeat
Last Updated: 09/11/25 6:17pm
Wales began the Steve Tandy era with an emphatic defeat as Argentina claimed a record 52-28 victory in Cardiff.
Tandy became the first Welshman to take control of the men's national team since 2007, but the size of the task facing the former Scotland defence coach was laid out in no uncertain terms.
Argentina scored seven tries as Geronimo Prisciantelli bagged a brace and Pedro Delgado, Simon Benitez Cruz, Mateo Carreras Bautista Delguy and Santiago Grondona also went over, while the flawless Santi Carreras added 17 points with the boot.
Wales 28-52 Argentina - Score summary
Wales - Tries: Williams (15), Lake (21), Morgan (54), Murray (73). Cons: Edwards (16, 22, 54), Evans (74).
Argentina - Tries: Delgado (7), Prisciantelli (10, 62), Benitez Cruz (38), M Carreras (40), Delguy (44), Grondona (80). Cons: S Carreras (8, 11, 39, 40+1, 44, 63, 80+1). Pens: S Carreras (31).
For Wales - who fought back to level at 14-14 after a horrid opening 10 minutes - Tomos Williams, Dewi Lake, Jac Morgan and Blair Murray crossed, with Dan Edwards kicking three conversions and Jarrod Evans one.
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There were bright spots for Wales with skipper Morgan outstanding before being injured in the act of scoring, and Louis Rees-Zammit showing electric pace after his 18-month adventure in the NFL.
But Argentina were ruthless in attack and piled up the points to eclipse their previous biggest victory over Wales - a 33-11 win in Cardiff in 2021.
The Wales players emerged from the traditional away dressing room at Principality Stadium with Tandy having swapped changing rooms.
Wales had ended a run of 18 successive defeats in Japan four months ago, but there were plenty of Cardiff demons to exorcise after nine successive losses and a 68-14 thrashing to England in March.
Wales were behind after seven minutes as prop Delgado profited from the Pumas' familiar power game and Santi Carreras converted.
Juan Martin Gonzalez then gobbled up a loose ball and Mateo Carreras chipped through for Prisciantelli to claim his first Test try.
Santi Carreras converted and Argentina had scored 14 points in 10 minutes.
Just 12 minutes later, however, and Wales were level as Tom Rogers cut through midfield and the supporting Morgan sent over Williams for his 16th Test try.
Wales were rewarded for turning down a simple penalty in favour of running the ball, and Williams set up Dewi Lake who barged his way through Prisciantelli and over the line.
Edwards added a second conversion, but Ben Thomas headed for the bin after kicking out at Pablo Matera when having his leg held on the ground.
The fact Thomas did not make contact with Matera probably spared the Wales centre a red card upon review, but Argentina made the most of their extra man.
Santi Carreras dispatched a penalty from 30 yards and scrum-half Simon Benitez Cruz touched down against a post.
Argentina struck again within seconds as Matera caught the kick-off, sliced through two tacklers and sent a left-footed kick towards Mateo Carreras.
The wing held off two defenders to make the line and his brother added the extras again.
The blue-and-white tide kept rolling in the second half as Delguy dotted down and Wales were again reduced to 14 men after Williams took out a man off the ball.
Morgan's quick thinking from a tap penalty saw him claim a third try, but that was his last involvement as he watched the rest of the game from the sidelines with his arm in a sling.
Prisciantelli picked off a Thomas pass for an interception score and Murray dived for Wales' fourth try before Grondona had the final word on a comfortable victory.
Wales skipper Morgan ruled out for remainder of Autumn with injury
Wales captain Jac Morgan is expected to miss the rest of the autumn campaign after suffering a suspected dislocated shoulder in the 52-28 defeat.
The British and Irish Lions flanker was injured in the act of scoring Wales' third try after taking a quick tap penalty, and watched the closing stages from the bench with his left arm in a sling.
It is huge blow for new Wales head coach Steve Tandy, whose first game in charge saw his side concede seven tries in a record defeat to Argentina.
"It's probably a dislocated shoulder, so it's not looking good for Jac and the rest of the autumn," said Tandy.
"He's a world-class player, he's huge for us and we know how much he loves playing for Wales and how he leads the team."
What's next?
Wales next host Japan at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday November 15 at 5.40pm.
For Argentina, they travel to face Scotland next week at Murrayfield in Edinburgh on Sunday November 16 at 3.10pm.
