Wales can surprise the world, insists Contepomi

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Two weeks after Gareth Jenkins sent out an experimental team which was routed 62-5 by England at Twickenham, his first-choice XV provided salvation against an Argentina side ranked No 5 in the world.

Scroll down for more...

Wales' James Hook cuts through Argentina's Jean Manuel Leguizamon to set up his side's opening try

Leading 24-7 at half-time on Saturday, they clung on for a vital victory as the visitors' pack threatened to overwhelm them late on.

Humiliation in London had led to annihilation in the media and pubs. Jenkins was under colossal pressure and it was even suggested his job was on the line in the event of another defeat.

Instead, Wales deservedly won, scoring three good tries in the process.

Suddenly, there was a lot of egg on a lot of sheepish faces.

Felipe Contepomi, Argentina's experienced back, said: "There has been a lot of criticism of the coach and players but if I was Welsh I would sleep in peace.

"They have a good team with so much talent and I think they will surprise a lot of people at the World Cup."

They surprised a few on Saturday.

Fewer than 37,000 turned up at the Millennium Stadium to see their penultimate World Cup warm-up match.

Scroll down for more...

Sorcerer: Wales' James Hook

But they saw Gareth Thomas, Alun-Wyn Jones and Mark Jones all touch down in the first half, the Wales scrum stand toe-to-toe with the renowned Argentina unit, more glimpses of off-the-cuff sorcery from James Hook at stand off and Tom Shanklin run riot in midfield like it was 2005 all over again.

Prop Duncan Jones produced a trysaving tackle in injury time to cap a heroic defensive stand by Wales on their own line.

Martyn Williams is experienced enough to know that the next problem Wales face is despair giving way to excessive optimism.

Asked if they will now be trumpeted as potential World Cup winners, with a wry smile the Cardiff flanker said: "Exactly!

"There is no middle ground here, is there? But we knew we weren't the worst team in the world after England and we also know we're not the best in the world after this."