Williams pounces on Pumas

Wales posted a record 33-16 victory over Argentina as winger Shane Williams stole the show scoring two tries.

Williams lit up an error-ridden encounter, but credit must go to fly-half Stephen Jones who added 17 points, including a try carved out by the No. 10's quick thinking, while winger Leigh Halfpenny booted two long-range penalties.

Centre Martin Rodriguez scored all of Argentina's points with a try, conversion and three penalties, but the Pumas leave Cardiff's Millennium stadium licking their wounds.

Wales made their intention clear from kick-off, moving possession at pace, with Williams and centre Jamie Roberts both heavily involved.

Halfpenny sent a speculative long-range penalty attempt wide, but Wales also looked solid in defence, with full-back James Hook coping comfortably when Argentina sent up a couple of high kicks.

Jones booted Wales into a ninth-minute lead, finding the target from 35 metres, but there was a nervous edge to the contest, with both sides starting to become bogged down on tactical kicking play.

Booing

Such an approach sparked occasional booing from the crowd, yet Wales remained far more dangerous with ball in hand when they chose to go through the phases.

And Wales then stunned the Pumas through an opportunist try - fly-half Jones' first for Wales since the 2006 Six Nations Championship.

After being awarded a kickable penalty, Jones did not gesture to the posts, running with the ball instead on a 25-metre sprint towards the corner.

The Argentina defence were completely oblivious with not a finger laid on the try scorer and, after receiving treatment for being winded, Jones dusted himself down to slot the conversion.

Wales were good value for their 10-0 lead, throwing down a challenge to an Argentina side that had so far offered nothing in attack.

The scoreline reflected Wales' degree of comfort, although Argentina at least twice threatened the home 22 as half-time approached.

The Pumas appeared bankrupt in terms of attacking ideas behind the scrum and centre Martin Rodriguez missed a chance to open their account when a 40-metre penalty attempt hit the post.

There was no sign of Argentina's much-vaunted pack taking charge, although Rodriguez made no mistake with his second penalty chance, cutting the deficit to seven.

Jones, though, added another penalty before the break that restored a 10-point lead.

Blistering start

Wales then made a breakneck start to the second period, extending their lead within a minute.

Scrum-half Agustin Figuerola had a kick charged down inside his own 22, and Williams finished in brilliant fashion, jinking between defenders to claim his 47th Test try.

Jones added the extras, making it 20-3, before a second successful Rodriguez strike just about kept Argentina in contention.

Argentina, somewhat predictably, were relying on the boot and Rodriguez's third penalty served as a reminder to Wales that they were not quite home and dry.

Halfpenny, Wales' long-range kicking specialist, then booted a 45-metre penalty as the home side entered the final quarter 14 points clear.

But Argentina gained a converted try out of nothing, capitalising on a Welsh mistake when centre Jonathan Davies had an attempted clearance kick charged down.

The ball bounced off Rodriguez's shin, allowing him to gather a kind bounce and dash away for his first try in Pumas colours. He also added another two points, leaving the Wales players kicking themselves in frustration.

But frustration turned to joy as Williams then added a dazzling second try, converted by Jones, before Halfpenny kicked a long-range penalty as Wales finished well on top.

Argentina went for a consolation score, but nothing materialised, and Wales trooped off comfortable winners.