2006 Wales rugby union tour of Argentina

Series of rugby matches that took place in Argentina in 2006 March 2014 March 2014 2006 mid-year rugby union tests Wales 2006 Gareth Jenkins Duncan Jones 2 0 0 2 2 0 0 2 ARG 2 0 0 2 North America 2005 Australia 2007 In June 2006, the Wales national rugby union team travelled to Argentina for a two-test series against the Argentina national team. The first test was played on 11 June in Puerto Madryn, a city in the heart of the former Welsh colony in Patagonia, founded by Welsh settlers in 1865. The second test was played in Buenos Aires a week later. They were Wales' first matches under the management of new head coach Gareth Jenkins, who had been appointed to replace Mike Ruddock in April 2006. The test series was thrown into doubt earlier in the year after 60 Argentine players threatened to retire from international duty due to a dispute with the Argentine Rugby Union (UAR), but this was resolved at the end of May 2006.Argentina confirm summer fixtures https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/welsh/5011452.stm BBC Sport 30 May 2006 23 February 2023 Argentina won both tests, claiming a 27–25 victory in Puerto Madryn before a more convincing 45–27 win in Buenos Aires. Background This was Wales' fourth tour to Argentina, and the third for which they awarded caps. The first tour took place in 1968, when Argentina won the first match and drew the second. Wales won both matches in the first capped series in 1999, while the two sides won a test each in 2004.Wales v Argentina: Full record https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/5389528.stm BBC Sport 28 September 2006 23 February 2023 Squad The first test was coach Gareth Jenkins' first in charge of Wales, having been appointed to the role six weeks earlier following the resignation of 2005 Grand Slam-winning coach Mike Ruddock.Wales unveil Jenkins as new coach https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/welsh/4936698.stm BBC Sport 27 April 2006 23 February 2023 Jenkins named a 28-man squad for the tour on 10 May 2006. Several senior players were left out due to injury or to allow them a period of rest after the British & Irish Lions tour to New Zealand the previous summer and ahead of the 2007 Rugby World Cup the following year. Ospreys prop Duncan Jones was named as captain for the tour. Five uncapped players – Ian Evans, Richard Hibbard, James Hook, Alun Wyn Jones and Rhys M. Thomas – were included in the squad.Jones leads Wales against Pumas https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/welsh/4970264.stm BBC Sport 10 May 2006 23 February 2023 Ospreys centre Gavin Henson was the first to withdraw from the original squad due to fitness concerns.Unfit Henson to miss Pumas tour https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/welsh/4987022.stm BBC Sport 16 May 2006 23 February 2023 Although Jenkins initially said that a specialist inside centre would be called up to replace Henson,Wales wait for Henson replacement https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/welsh/5005742.stm BBC Sport 22 May 2006 23 February 2023 Nathan Brew of the Dragons was called up two weeks later to fill the vacant berth.Surprise Wales call delights Brew https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/welsh/5030900.stm BBC Sport 30 May 2006 23 February 2023 Prop Gethin Jenkins and back row Dafydd Jones both withdrew with shoulder injuries before the end of May, replaced by Blues prop John Yapp and Dragons flanker Jamie Ringer respectively.Wales replace Jones with Ringer https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/welsh/5015262.stm BBC Sport 31 May 2006 23 February 2023 Centre Hal Luscombe was the final withdrawal, having suffered a rib injury in the Dragons' Heineken Cup play-off against Overmach Parma, and replaced by Blues utility back Nick Macleod.Luscombe forced out of Wales tour https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/welsh/5043906.stm BBC Sport 3 June 2006 23 February 2023 Name Position Club Notes Huw Bennett Hooker Ospreys Richard Hibbard Hooker Ospreys Matthew Rees Hooker Llanelli Scarlets Gethin Jenkins Prop Cardiff Blues Withdrew due to injury Adam Jones rugby union, born 1981 Prop Ospreys Duncan Jones rugby union (c) Prop Ospreys Rhys Thomas Rhys M. Thomas Prop Newport Gwent Dragons John Yapp Prop Cardiff Blues Injury replacement for Gethin Jenkins Luke Charteris Lock Newport Gwent Dragons Ian Evans rugby union Lock Ospreys Ian Gough Lock Newport Gwent Dragons Alun Wyn Jones Lock Ospreys Gareth Delve Back row Bath Dafydd Jones Back row Llanelli Scarlets Withdrew due to injury Alix Popham Back row Llanelli Scarlets Jamie Ringer Back row Newport Gwent Dragons Injury replacement for Dafydd Jones Robin Sowden-Taylor Back row Cardiff Blues Gavin Thomas Back row Llanelli Scarlets Mike Phillips rugby union Scrum-half Cardiff Blues Andy Williams rugby union Scrum-half Bath James Hook rugby union Fly-half Ospreys Nicky Robinson rugby union Fly-half Cardiff Blues Nathan Brew Centre Newport Gwent Dragons Late addition Gavin Henson Centre Ospreys Withdrew due to fitness Hal Luscombe Centre Newport Gwent Dragons Withdrew due to injury Jamie Robinson rugby union Centre Cardiff Blues Matthew Watkins Centre Llanelli Scarlets Chris Czekaj Wing Cardiff Blues Mark Jones rugby union, born 1979 Wing Llanelli Scarlets Shane Williams Wing Ospreys Lee Byrne Full-back Llanelli Scarlets Nick Macleod Full-back Cardiff Blues Injury replacement for Hal Luscombe Results First test The first test was played in Puerto Madryn, a city founded by Welsh settlers in Patagonia in 1865. Despite the large Welsh-speaking population in the area, this was the Wales national team's first visit there. The game was originally scheduled for 10 June 2006, but was put back to 11 June to avoid a clash with Argentina's opening match at the 2006 FIFA World Cup against the Ivory Coast.Wales book Patagonia Test match https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/welsh/4923904.stm BBC Sport 21 April 2006 23 February 2023 Ian Evans and Alun Wyn Jones started the match to earn their first caps for Wales, while Richard Hibbard and James Hook were named on the bench.Ospreys pair handed Wales debuts https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/international/5056396.stm BBC Sport 7 June 2006 25 February 2023 Evans scored a 45-metre interception try to put Wales in front after Juan Manuel Leguizamón had controversially cancelled out Mark Jones' third-minute opening score; after Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe charged down a clearing kick from Mike Phillips, referee Alain Rolland deemed Leguizamón to have grounded the ball before it reached the dead ball line, although video replays gave evidence to the contrary. José María Núñez Piossek's try and a pair of penalties from Federico Todeschini meant the home side took a 20–12 lead into half-time, helped by the sin-binnings of Wales back-row forwards Gavin Thomas for dissent and Alix Popham for collapsing an Argentina maul. Two penalties from Nicky Robinson reduced the margin to two points, but Francisco Leonelli put Argentina 27–18 up with three minutes of the game to go. Hook scored a try in injury time, converted by Robinson, but it proved mere consolation.Argentina 27-25 Wales https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/international/5063934.stm BBC Sport 11 June 2006 25 February 2023 11 June 2006 14:30 ARG 27–25 Report WAL LeguizamónNúñez PiossekLeonelli Todeschini (3) Todeschini (2) M. JonesEvansHook N. Robinson (2) N. Robinson (2) Estadio Raúl Conti, Puerto Madryn 15,000 Alain Rolland (Ireland) FB 15Juan Martín HernándezRW 14José María Núñez PiossekOC 13Gonzalo Tiesi IC 12Rafael CarballoLW 11Lucas BorgesFH 10Federico TodeschiniSH 9 Agustín Pichot (c)N8 8 Gonzalo LongoOF 7 Juan Martín Fernández LobbeBF 6 Juan Manuel Leguizamón RL 5 Rimas Álvarez KairelisLL 4 Ignacio Fernández LobbeTP 3 Martín ScelzoHK 2 Mario LedesmaLP 1 Rodrigo Roncero Replacements:HK 16Pablo GambariniPR 17Marcos Ayerza LK 18Santiago SanzFL 19Martín SchustermanSH 20Nicolás Fernández MirandaWG 21Francisco Leonelli FB 22Federico Serra MirasCoach:Marcelo Loffreda350px FB 15Lee ByrneRW 14Mark Jones OC 13Jamie RobinsonIC 12Matthew Watkins LW 11Shane WilliamsFH 10Nicky RobinsonSH 9 Mike PhillipsN8 8 Alix Popham OF 7 Gavin Thomas BF 6 Alun Wyn Jones RL 5 Ian EvansLL 4 Ian GoughTP 3 Adam JonesHK 2 Matthew Rees LP 1 Duncan Jones (c) Replacements:HK 16Richard Hibbard PR 17Rhys M. ThomasPR 18John Yapp N8 19Gareth Delve SH 20Andy WilliamsFH 21James Hook WG 22Chris Czekaj Coach:Gareth Jenkins Second test The second test was played in Buenos Aires six days later. Argentina fly-half Federico Todeschini opened the scoring with a penalty after Ian Evans was sin-binned for killing the ball. Inside centre Felipe Contepomi returned to the starting line-up after completing his medical exams in Ireland – one of three changes to the home side's starting line-upContepomi returns for Pumas https://www.espn.co.uk/rugby/story/_/id/15391674/contepomi-returns-pumas ESPNscrum 15 June 2006 2 September 2023 – and was involved in the first try, charging down a clearance kick from James Hook to present midfield partner Gonzalo Tiesi with a simple try. Todeschini converted the try and kicked two more penalties in the first half, while two from Hook meant Argentina led 16–6 at half-time. The home side added to their lead shortly after the break, when Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe burst through a tackle from Gavin Thomas to score a try, which Todeschini converted before kicking a further two penalties. Hook was sin-binned for a high tackle on Todeschini shortly before the hour mark, while Rhys Thomas came on for Adam Jones to make his international debut. The numbers were levelled soon after, when Martín Scelzo was yellow-carded for foul play, and Wales took advantage through Gareth Delve's first international try; however, two more Todeschini penalties sandwiched Tiesi's second try, which the fly-half also converted from out wide. Wales completed the scoring with tries from Shane Williams and Lee Byrne, while Hook and Nicky Robinson chipped in with the conversions, reducing the losing margin to 18 points. With five minutes to go, Argentina hooker Pablo Gambarini came on to make his international debut.Argentina 45-27 Wales https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/international/5084264.stm BBC Sport 17 June 2006 2 September 2023 Wales coach Gareth Jenkins blamed the loss on their inability to create a strong platform through the forwards.Jenkins admits forward battering https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/international/5087970.stm BBC Sport 17 June 2006 2 September 2023 Despite losing the series 2–0, assistant coach Nigel Davies said the tour was a success in terms of having been able to expand the nation's player pool with five new caps.Argentina tour strengthens Wales https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/international/5095486.stm BBC Sport 19 June 2006 2 September 2023 Shane Williams said the young players would have to adapt physically and improve their discipline in order to make a successful transition to the international level.Pumas lesson valuable - Williams https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/international/5092498.stm BBC Sport 18 June 2006 2 September 2023 Ian Evans was later cited for a late charge on Argentina captain Agustín Pichot that was not punished with a card during the game; he was banned for six weeks, beginning in August 2006, ruling him out of the Ospreys' pre-season programme and the start of the Celtic League season.Wales lock Evans gets heavy ban https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/international/5092924.stm BBC Sport 18 June 2006 2 September 2023 17 June 2006 15:40 ARG 45–27 Report WAL Tiesi (2)J. M. Fernández Lobbe Todeschini (3) Todeschini (8) DelveS. WilliamsByrne Hook (2)N. Robinson Hook (2) José Amalfitani Stadium, Buenos Aires 18,102 Dave Pearson (England) FB 15Juan Martín HernándezRW 14Lucas BorgesOC 13Gonzalo TiesiIC 12Felipe Contepomi 73LW 11Francisco Leonelli 75FH 10Federico TodeschiniSH 9 Agustín Pichot (c) 70N8 8 Gonzalo LongoOF 7 Juan Martín Fernández LobbeBF 6 Martín Durand 55RL 5 Rimas Álvarez KairelisLL 4 Ignacio Fernández Lobbe 64TP 3 Martín Scelzo 57HK 2 Mario Ledesma 75LP 1 Rodrigo Roncero 73Replacements:HK 16Pablo Gambarini 75PR 17Marcos Ayerza 73LK 18Manuel Carizza 64FL 19Martín Schusterman 55SH 20Nicolás Fernández Miranda 70WG 21José María Núñez Piossek 75FB 22Federico Serra Miras 73Coach:Marcelo Loffreda350px FB 15Lee ByrneRW 14Mark JonesOC 13Jamie Robinson 34IC 12James Hook 55LW 11Shane WilliamsFH 10Nicky RobinsonSH 9 Mike Phillips 67N8 8 Alix Popham 41OF 7 Gavin ThomasBF 6 Alun Wyn JonesRL 5 Ian Evans 18LL 4 Ian GoughTP 3 Adam Jones 57HK 2 Huw Bennett 67LP 1 Duncan Jones (c)Replacements:HK 16Richard Hibbard 67PR 17Rhys M. Thomas 57PR 18John YappN8 19Gareth Delve 41SH 20Andy Williams 67CE 21Nathan BrewCE 22Matthew Watkins 34Coach:Gareth Jenkins References Wales in Argentina Tour 2006 Argentina Wales Tour 2006 2006