2004 Wales rugby union tour of Argentina and South Africa

March 2014 June 2020 December 2013 2004 mid-year rugby union tests 12–26 June 2004 Wales 2004 Mike Ruddock Colin Charvis Gavin Henson (42) Shane Williams (4) 4 2 0 2 3 1 0 2 ARG 2 1 0 1 RSA 1 0 0 1 Barbarians 1 1 0 0 Oceania 2003 North America 2005 In June 2004, the Wales national rugby union team toured Argentina and South Africa. They played two test matches against the Argentina national team in Buenos Aires, losing 50–44 in the first on 12 June before winning the second 35–20 on 19 June, before playing the South Africa national team on 26 June 2004, losing 53–18 in Pretoria on 26 June. Before leaving for the tour, they also played an uncapped match against the Barbarians at Ashton Gate Stadium in Bristol, winning 42–0. The tour saw call-ups for three uncapped players for Wales – Barry Davies, Peter Sidoli and Jason Forster – but only Forster played in any of the three games, scoring Wales' second try in the first test against Argentina. Squads Wales Wales coach Mike Ruddock, leading the nation for the first time following the departure of Steve Hansen at the end of the 2004 Six Nations Championship,Ruddock lands Wales job https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/welsh/3500738.stm BBC Sport 11 March 2004 17 September 2023 named a 33-man squad for the tour. Hooker Barry Williams retired from international rugby at the start of May 2004,Williams ends Test career https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/international/3685611.stm BBC Sport 5 May 2004 17 September 2023 and several players were unavailable due to injury, including lock Robert Sidoli, scrum-half Gareth Cooper,Sidoli doubt for Wales tour https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/international/3625437.stm BBC Sport 14 April 2004 22 December 2023 hooker Robin McBryde and fly-half Stephen Jones, which meant a less experienced squad was named for the tour, and there were call-ups for the uncapped lock Peter Sidoli, flanker Jason Forster and full-back Barry Davies. Prop Darren Morris was also recalled to the squad almost three years after his last cap for Wales.Wales turn to youth https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/international/3721261.stm BBC Sport 17 May 2004 17 September 2023 Following the withdrawal of Craig Morgan from the squad with leg injuries, Tal Selley was called up in his place.Selley gains Wales call https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/international/3728633.stm BBC Sport 19 May 2004 17 September 2023 Prop Iestyn Thomas also pulled out with a shoulder injury and was replaced by Rhys Thomas.Prop Thomas out of Wales tour https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/international/3750531.stm BBC Sport 26 May 2004 17 September 2023 After suffering an ankle injury in the pre-tour match against the Barbarians, Gareth Thomas had hoped to join up with the squad in time for the second test against Argentina; however, he did not recover in time for that match.Thomas out of second Test https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/international/3774171.stm BBC Sport 14 June 2004 22 December 2023 Name Position CapsWales' Summer Touring Squad https://www.wru.wales/2004/05/wales-summer-touring-squad/ Welsh Rugby Union 17 May 2004 22 December 2023 Club Notes Huw Bennett Hooker 6 Neath–Swansea Ospreys Mefin Davies Hooker 17 Celtic Warriors Steve Jones rugby union, born 1977 Hooker 1 Newport Gwent Dragons Gethin Jenkins Prop 20 Celtic Warriors Adam Jones rugby union, born 1981 Prop 9 Neath–Swansea Ospreys Duncan Jones rugby union Prop 10 Neath–Swansea Ospreys Darren Morris Prop 14 Leicester Tigers Iestyn Thomas Prop 30 Llanelli Scarlets Withdrew with shoulder injury Rhys Thomas Rhys M. Thomas Prop 0 Newport Gwent Dragons Injury replacement for Iestyn Thomas Brent Cockbain Lock 9 Celtic Warriors Deiniol Jones Lock 2 Celtic Warriors Gareth Llewellyn Lock 87 Swansea Peter Sidoli Lock 0 Newport Gwent Dragons Colin Charvis Back row 68 Tarbes Captain Jason Forster Back row 0 Newport Gwent Dragons Dafydd Jones Back row 20 Llanelli Scarlets Michael Owen rugby union Back row 13 Newport Gwent Dragons Alix Popham Back row 8 Leeds Tykes Jonathan Thomas Back row 11 Neath–Swansea Ospreys Dwayne Peel Scrum-half 30 Llanelli Scarlets Mike Phillips rugby union Scrum-half 1 Llanelli Scarlets Andy Williams rugby union Scrum-half 1 Neath–Swansea Ospreys Gavin Henson Fly-half 4 Neath–Swansea Ospreys Nicky Robinson rugby union Fly-half 2 Cardiff Blues Ceri Sweeney Fly-half 13 Newport Gwent Dragons Hal Luscombe Centre 1 Newport Gwent Dragons Sonny Parker rugby union Centre 10 Celtic Warriors Tom Shanklin Centre 21 Cardiff Blues Nathan Brew Wing 1 Newport Gwent Dragons Craig Morgan rugby union Wing 9 Cardiff Blues Withdrew with thigh/calf injuries Tal Selley Wing 0 Llanelli Scarlets Injury replacement for Craig Morgan Shane Williams Wing 18 Neath–Swansea Ospreys Barry Davies rugby union, born 1981 Full-back 0 Llanelli Scarlets Gareth Thomas rugby, born 1974 Full-back 77 Toulouse Rhys Williams rugby union, born 1980 Full-back 37 Cardiff Blues Argentina Argentina named a 26-man squad on 17 May 2004 for the two-test series against Wales and a one-off test against New Zealand. It was Argentina's first international action since they were eliminated in the group stage of the 2003 Rugby World Cup.Pumas name squad for Wales https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/international/3722315.stm BBC Sport 17 May 2004 17 September 2023 Agustín Pichot, Ignacio Corleto, Juan Martín Hernández, Rimas Álvarez Kairelis and Mario Ledesma all withdrew to take part in the 2003–04 Top 16 play-offs with their respective clubs.Pichot to miss Wales dates https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/international/3768913.stm BBC Sport 2 June 2004 7 December 2023 Name Position Club Notes Mario Ledesma Hooker Castres Withdrew Federico Méndez Hooker Mendoza Pablo Cardinali Prop Béziers Eusebio Guiñazú Prop Mendoza Omar Hasan Prop Agen Rodrigo Roncero Prop Gloucester Patricio Albacete Lock Colomiers Rimas Álvarez Kairelis Lock USA Perpignan Withdrew Ignacio Fernández Lobbe Lock Castres Pablo Bouza Back row Duendes Martín Durand Back row Champagnat Gonzalo Longo Back row Narbonne Captain Lucas Ostiglia Back row Petrarca Martín Schusterman Back row Plymouth Albion Matías Albina Scrum-half Los Tilos Nicolás Fernández Miranda Scrum-half Petrarca Lucio López Fleming Scrum-half San Isidro Agustín Pichot Scrum-half Stade Français Withdrew German Bustos Fly-half Los Tordos Felipe Contepomi Fly-half Leinster Juan Fernández Miranda Fly-half Béziers Juan Martín Hernández Fly-half Stade Français Withdrew Manuel Contepomi Centre Newman Martín Gaitán Centre Biarritz José Orengo Centre Grenoble Hernán Senillosa Centre Hindú Lucas Borges Wing Club Pucará José María Núñez Piossek Wing Huirapuca Ignacio Corleto Full-back Stade Français Withdrew South Africa South Africa were playing two home tests against Ireland and one against Wales. Like Argentina, these were South Africa's first internationals since the 2003 Rugby World Cup. They were also the team's first matches under new head coach Jake White, who replaced Rudolf Straeuli after the World Cup.South Africa turn to White https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/3477849.stm BBC Sport 10 February 2004 17 September 2023 The South Africa management had been criticised for only selecting one non-white player, Ashwin Willemse, for the World Cup quarter-final against New Zealand. On 16 May 2004, they named six black players in their 22-man squad to begin the summer; in addition to Willemse, they also called up Eddie Andrews, Bolla Conradie, Quinton Davids, Wayne Julies and Hanyani Shimange. Full-back Percy Montgomery was also named despite breaking his hand while playing for the Newport Gwent Dragons two days before the squad was announced.Springboks name mixed squad https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/international/3719515.stm BBC Sport 16 May 2004 18 September 2023 Boks recall Montgomery https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/international/3719565.stm BBC Sport 16 May 2004 18 September 2023 Name Position Club Notes Hanyani Shimange Hooker Free State John Smit Hooker Sharks Captain Eddie Andrews rugby union Prop Western Province Os du Randt Prop Free State Faan Rautenbach Prop Lions Bakkies Botha Lock Blue Bulls Quinton Davids Lock Western Province Victor Matfield Lock Blue Bulls Schalk Burger Back row Western Province Juan Smith Back row Free State Joe van Niekerk Back row Western Province Pedrie Wannenburg Back row Blue Bulls Bolla Conradie Scrum-half Western Province Fourie du Preez Scrum-half Blue Bulls Jaco van der Westhuyzen Fly-half Leicester Tigers De Wet Barry Centre Western Province Jaque Fourie Centre Lions Marius Joubert Centre Western Province Wayne Julies Centre Free State Brent Russell Wing Sharks Ashwin Willemse Wing Lions Percy Montgomery Full-back Newport Gwent Dragons Results Wales vs Barbarians Wales' first match of the summer saw them warm up for their southern hemisphere tour with their fourth meeting with the Barbarians in as many years, played at Ashton Gate in Bristol on 26 May. Fly-half Ceri Sweeney scored all of Wales' points in the first half, converting his own try and adding two penalties to give them a 13–0 lead. Gareth Thomas, Rhys Williams, Dwayne Peel, Gavin Henson and Hal Luscombe all scored tries in the second half, with Sweeney adding two further conversions, while the defence stood firm to keep a clean sheet; it was the first time the Barbarians had failed to score in a match since 1978.Wales 42-0 Barbarians https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/international/3743409.stm BBC Sport 26 May 2004 7 December 2023 Thomas suffered an ankle injury during the game that meant he had to be substituted after an hour, putting him in doubt for the tour.Ruddock sweats on Thomas https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/international/3751965.stm BBC Sport 26 May 2004 7 December 2023 26 May 2004 19:45 WAL 42–0 Report Barbarians SweeneyThomasR. WilliamsPeelHensonLuscombe Sweeney (3) Sweeney (2) Ashton Gate, Bristol 11,381 FB 15Gareth ThomasRW 14Rhys WilliamsOC 13Sonny ParkerIC 12Gavin HensonLW 11Shane WilliamsFH 10Ceri SweeneySH 9 Dwayne PeelN8 8 Michael OwenOF 7 Jason ForsterBF 6 Colin Charvis (c)RL 5 Gareth LlewellynLL 4 Brent CockbainTP 3 Adam JonesHK 2 Mefin DaviesLP 1 Duncan JonesReplacements:HK 16Huw BennettPR 17Gethin JenkinsLK 18Peter SidoliFL 19Dafydd JonesSH 20Mike PhillipsFH 21Nicky RobinsonCE 22Hal LuscombeCoach:Mike Ruddock350px FB 15NZL Bruce ReihanaRW 14WAL Dafydd JamesOC 13FRA Damien TrailleIC 12AUS Nathan GreyLW 11RSA Breyton PaulseFH 10AUS Matt Burke (c)SH 9 RSA Neil de KockN8 8 IRE rugby union Eric MillerOF 7 RSA André VosBF 6 FRA Olivier MagneRL 5 AUS Mark ConnorsLL 4 NZL Brad MikaTP 3 RSA Richard BandsHK 2 NZL Matt SextonLP 1 RSA Ollie le RouxReplacements:HK 16NZL Anton OliverPR 17ENG Jason LeonardLK 18AUS Owen FineganFL 19ITA Aaron PersicoSH 20NZL Mark RobinsonFH 21IRE rugby union David HumphreysFB 22FRA Thomas CastaignèdeCoach:Alan Solomons Argentina vs Wales (1st test) Wales coach Mike Ruddock made just one change to the team that started the match against the Barbarians, as Hal Luscombe came in on the right wing for Rhys Williams, who was filling in for the injured Gareth Thomas at full-back. Meanwhile, Jason Forster retained his position in the back row to earn his first full cap at the age of 33, while 35-year-old lock Gareth Llewellyn surpassed Neil Jenkins as Wales' most-capped player with 88 international appearances.Forster set for first cap https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/international/3792013.stm BBC Sport 9 June 2004 7 December 2023 Argentina's selection was affected by the release of five players back to their French clubs in order to appear in the Top 16 championship play-offs, including captain Agustín Pichot.Pichot to miss Wales dates https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/international/3768913.stm BBC Sport 2 June 2004 7 December 2023 Number 8 Gonzalo Longo replaced Pichot as captain, while uncapped forwards Pablo Cardinali and Martín Schusterman were named on the bench.Longo leads Pumas https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/international/3795999.stm BBC Sport 10 June 2004 7 December 2023 Longo scored the only try of the first half, combining with Felipe Contepomi's four penalties to give Argentina a 19–9 lead at the break. The hosts opened up an unassailable lead early in the second half, however, thanks to a trio of unanswered tries: two from Lucas Borges and another from Contepomi. Dwayne Peel scored a breakaway try for Wales, but Martín Gaitán restored Argentina's lead. Forster pulled Wales back with a debut try shortly after, only for Manuel Contepomi to again push Argentina seemingly out of reach. But with just over 10 minutes to play, Colin Charvis sparked a flurry of Welsh scores, with Sonny Parker and Luscombe following suit to reduce the deficit to six points. On the last play of the game, Shane Williams made a line break and played an inside pass to Parker, only for the centre to knock on, confirming an Argentine victory.Argentina 50-44 Wales https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/international/3801925.stm BBC Sport 12 June 2004 7 December 2023 12 June 2004 ARG 50–44 Report WAL LongoBorges (2)F. ContepomiGaitánM. Contepomi F. Contepomi (4) F. Contepomi (4) PeelForsterCharvisParkerLuscombe Henson (5) Henson (3) Estadio Monumental José Fierro, Tucumán 15,000 Donal Courtney (Ireland) FB 15Hernán SenillosaRW 14Lucas BorgesOC 13Martín Gaitán 70IC 12Manuel ContepomiLW 11José María Núñez PiossekFH 10Felipe ContepomiSH 9 Matias AlbinaN8 8 Gonzalo Longo (c)OF 7 Martín Durand 66BF 6 Lucas Ostiglia 77RL 5 Patricio AlbaceteLL 4 Ignacio Fernández LobbeTP 3 Omar Hasan 79HK 2 Federico MéndezLP 1 Rodrigo RonceroReplacements:HK 16Eusebio GuiñazúPR 17Pablo Cardinali 79LK 18Pablo Bouza 77FL 19Martín Schusterman 66SH 20Lucio Lopez FlemingFH 21German BustosCE 22José Orengo 70Coach:Marcelo Loffreda350px FB 15Rhys Williams 55RW 14Hal LuscombeOC 13Sonny ParkerIC 12Gavin HensonLW 11Shane WilliamsFH 10Ceri Sweeney 51SH 9 Dwayne Peel 75N8 8 Michael OwenOF 7 Jason ForsterBF 6 Colin Charvis (c) 31RL 5 Gareth LlewellynLL 4 Brent CockbainTP 3 Adam Jones 58HK 2 Mefin Davies 75LP 1 Duncan Jones 75Replacements:HK 16Huw Bennett 75PR 17Gethin Jenkins 75PR 18Darren Morris 58FL 19Jonathan ThomasSH 20Mike Phillips 75FH 21Nicky Robinson 51CE 22Tom Shanklin 55Coach:Mike Ruddock Argentina vs Wales (2nd test) Wales brought in four new faces for the second test: Huw Bennett and Dafydd Jones in the forwards, and Nicky Robinson and Tom Shanklin in the backs. Bennett and Shanklin came in for Mefin Davies and Rhys Williams, who had been ill in the week; both were thought to have recovered in time to be named as substitutes, but Williams was ultimately left out in favour of Barry Davies. Ceri Sweeney, whom Robinson replaced, was also named on the bench, but Jason Forster was left out altogether despite a try-scoring debut the previous week. There were two positional changes in the starting XV as Colin Charvis moved from blindside to openside and Gavin Henson moved from inside centre to full-back. Argentina made two changes to their starting line-up, as centre José Orengo replaced Martín Gaitán, who had suffered a groin injury, and Nicolás Fernández Miranda returned from domestic duty with his club, Petrarca.Argentina v Wales https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/international/3811869.stm BBC Sport 17 June 2004 21 December 2023 Shane Williams scored a first-half hat-trick of tries, two of which were converted by Henson. He also scored two penalties to give Wales a 25–0 lead at half-time, aided by Ignacio Fernández Lobbe's yellow card for coming in at the side of a ruck. After the break, Charvis was sin-binned for the second week in a row for killing the ball, resulting in Hernán Senillosa kicking Argentina's first points of the game. This was soon followed by their opening try, scored by Federico Martín Aramburú and converted by Senillosa. Omar Hasan reduced the deficit to 10 points with another try following a turnover from a Wales line-out in Argentina territory, but another Henson penalty and a try from Nicky Robinson put Wales 20 points up again. Shane Williams was yellow-carded late on for killing the ball, and Lucas Borges completed the scoring with a try awarded after video review.Argentina 20-35 Wales https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/international/3822465.stm BBC Sport 19 June 2004 22 December 2023 Shane blows Pumas and fans away https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/shane-blows-pumas-fans-away-2434106 Wales Online Media Wales 21 June 2004 22 December 2023 19 June 2004 ARG 20–35 Report WAL AramburúHasanBorges Senillosa Senillosa S. Williams (3)Robinson Henson (3) Henson (3) Ferro Carril Oeste, Buenos Aires 45,000 Donal Courtney (Ireland) FB 15Hernán SenillosaRW 14Lucas BorgesOC 13José OrengoIC 12Manuel ContepomiLW 11José María Núñez PiossekFH 10Felipe ContepomiSH 9 Nicolás Fernández MirandaN8 8 Gonzalo Longo (c)OF 7 Martín DurandBF 6 Lucas OstigliaRL 5 Patricio AlbaceteLL 4 Ignacio Fernández Lobbe TP 3 Omar HasanHK 2 Federico MéndezLP 1 Rodrigo RonceroReplacements:HK 16Mario Ledesma PR 17Eusebio Guiñazú FH 18German BustosFL 19Martín Schusterman SH 20Matias Albina FH 21Juan Fernández Miranda CE 22Federico Martín Aramburú Coach:Marcelo Loffreda350px FB 15Gavin HensonRW 14Hal LuscombeOC 13Sonny ParkerIC 12Tom ShanklinLW 11Shane Williams FH 10Nicky RobinsonSH 9 Dwayne PeelN8 8 Michael OwenOF 7 Colin Charvis (c) BF 6 Dafydd JonesRL 5 Gareth LlewellynLL 4 Brent CockbainTP 3 Adam JonesHK 2 Huw BennettLP 1 Duncan JonesReplacements:HK 16Mefin Davies PR 17Gethin Jenkins PR 18Darren Morris FL 19Jonathan Thomas SH 20Mike Phillips FH 21Ceri SweeneyFB 22Barry DaviesCoach:Mike Ruddock South Africa vs Wales Ahead of the South Africa test, Ruddock sought advice from the Ireland coaching staff who had just played two tests against the Springboks.Wales seek Irish help https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/international/3823775.stm BBC Sport 20 June 2004 22 December 2023 Wales' team selection was affected by injuries to Hal Luscombe, Sonny Parker (both thumb), Dwayne Peel (ankle) and Michael Owen (back);Ruddock wary of Montgomery https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/international/3826477.stm BBC Sport 21 June 2004 22 December 2023 Luscombe's thumb was put in a splint,Wales sweat over Owen https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/international/3828431.stm BBC Sport 22 June 2004 22 December 2023 and both he and Parker were deemed fit to start the game, while Peel received "intensive treatment" on his ankle and also started.Wales shuffle pack https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/international/3832325.stm BBC Sport 23 June 2004 22 December 2023 Owen was initially named in the starting XV, but withdrew the day before the game with back spasms and was replaced by Alix Popham.Charvis wants Wales tough https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/international/3839293.stm BBC Sport 25 June 2004 22 December 2023 The only other changes to the squad from the second test against Argentina were also in the forwards; Gethin Jenkins replaced Duncan Jones at loosehead prop, Mefin Davies returned in place of Huw Bennett after an illness, and lock Deiniol Jones came in to win his third cap after Brent Cockbain left the touring party for family reasons. Meanwhile, South Africa made two changes to the team from their second test victory over Ireland; prop Faan Rautenbach recovered from injury to replace Eddie Andrews, while Brent Russell replaced the injured Jaque Fourie.Boks make two changes https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/international/3829567.stm BBC Sport 22 June 2004 22 December 2023 Shane Williams almost scored the opening try for Wales early in the game, but it was ruled out for offside; however, referee Steve Walsh was playing advantage after an earlier South Africa infringement, allowing Gavin Henson to kick the first three points. South Africa responded with a try from captain John Smit, converted by Percy Montgomery, who added a penalty of his own before the midway point in the half. Henson and Montgomery then exchanged penalties, but another South Africa try from Russell extended their lead after Henson had missed touch with a clearing kick. Peel also failed to clear as the first half drew to a close, and Breyton Paulse returned the ball for an eventual seven points, giving the hosts a 27–6 lead at the break. Ten minutes after the interval, Popham was knocked out in a tackle with opposite number Jacques Cronjé and had to be replaced; Wales had already brought on their specialist back row replacement, Jonathan Thomas, in the first half, so hooker Huw Bennett had to fill in as an emergency number 8.Matt Lloyd Boks canter free of tired Wales https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2004/jun/27/rugbyunion.southafricarugbyteam The Guardian 27 June 2004 22 December 2023 After that, South Africa added two more tries through Wayne Julies and Russell's second, though Montgomery failed to convert Julies' score. Peel scored Wales' first try soon after the hour mark, converted by Henson, but South Africa's replacement scrum-half, Bolla Conradie, restored the Springbok lead with help from another Montgomery conversion. Schalk Burger scored South Africa's seventh try to take them past the 50-point mark and a 40-point lead, though Shane Williams scored a late consolation for Wales; the conversion was missed and the match finished with a final score of 53–18, continuing Wales' winless run in South Africa.South Africa 53-18 Wales https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/international/3837479.stm BBC Sport 26 June 2004 22 December 2023 Peel put the defeat down to South Africa's ability to win and keep the ball, but he also praised the team's persistence even when trailing by 40 points. Captain Colin Charvis said that the game was lost in the forwards, where the Welsh front five were outplayed and the loose forwards struggled to keep up with their Springbok counterparts.Peel feels Pretoria pain https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/international/3842985.stm BBC Sport 26 June 2004 22 December 2023 After being taken to hospital, Alix Popham was diagnosed with a concussion but no broken bones; fly-half Ceri Sweeney was praised for his quick action in preventing Popham from swallowing his tongue while unconscious.Popham injury not serious https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/international/3843159.stm BBC Sport 26 June 2004 22 December 2023 Popham later flew home with the rest of the squad.Popham on the mend https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/international/3849145.stm BBC Sport 29 June 2004 22 December 2023 After the tour, coach Mike Ruddock said the touring squad should be given a 10-week pre-season, including a month off after the final game.Wales stars promised rest https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/welsh/3847013.stm BBC Sport 28 June 2004 22 December 2023 26 June 2004 RSA 53–18 Report WAL SmitRussell (2)PaulseJuliesConradieBurger Montgomery (6) Montgomery (2) PeelS. Williams Henson Henson (2) Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria 48,000 Steve Walsh (New Zealand) FB 15Percy MontgomeryRW 14Breyton PaulseOC 13Marius JoubertIC 12Wayne JuliesLW 11Brent RussellFH 10Jaco van der Westhuyzen 70SH 9 Fourie du Preez 55N8 8 Jacques CronjéOF 7 Pedrie Wannenburg 55BF 6 Schalk BurgerRL 5 Victor Matfield 62LL 4 Quinton Davids 55TP 3 Faan Rautenbach 75HK 2 John Smit (c)LP 1 Os du RandtReplacements:HK 16Hanyani Shimange 62PR 17Eddie Andrews 75LK 18Geo Cronjé 55FL 19Gerrie Britz 55SH 20Bolla Conradie 55WG 21Henno MentzFH 22Gaffie du Toit 70Coach:Jake White350px FB 15Gavin HensonRW 14Hal LuscombeOC 13Sonny ParkerIC 12Tom ShanklinLW 11Shane WilliamsFH 10Nicky Robinson 35SH 9 Dwayne PeelN8 8 Alix Popham 51OF 7 Colin Charvis (c)BF 6 Dafydd JonesRL 5 Gareth LlewellynLL 4 Deiniol Jones 16TP 3 Adam JonesHK 2 Mefin DaviesLP 1 Gethin Jenkins 53Replacements:HK 16Huw Bennett 51PR 17Duncan Jones 53PR 18Darren MorrisFL 19Jonathan Thomas 16SH 20Mike PhillipsFH 21Ceri Sweeney 35FB 22Rhys WilliamsCoach:Mike Ruddock References https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2004/jun/13/rugbyunion.argentinarugbyunionteam Careless Wales are stunned by frenzied Puma attack The Guardian 13 June 2004 17 May 2013 https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2004/jun/21/rugbyunion.argentinarugbyunionteam Wales doubly primed for Springboks The Guardian 21 June 2004 17 May 2013 https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2004/jun/27/rugbyunion.southafricarugbyteam Boks canter free of tired Wales The Guardian 27 June 2004 17 May 2013 Category:2004 rugby union tours tour 2004 Category:2004 in Argentine rugby union Category:2004 in South African rugby union 2004 2004 Category:History of rugby union matches between Argentina and Wales Category:History of rugby union matches between South Africa and Wales