Wales raced into a 24-7 lead at half-time with tries from Gareth Thomas, Alun-Wyn Jones and Mark Jones before the Pumas hit back. Ignacio Corleto, who had opened the scoring for Argentina with an intercept try inside four minutes, added a second and Federicho Todeschini's boot dragged the Pumas to within a converted try.

Wales were forced into some desperate defending in the closing minutes and Thomas wheeled away in despair when Martin Durand ploughed over the line with time up. But the TV replay showed the Argentina forward had spilled the ball forward as he tried to ground it and Wales survived to land a morale-boosting victory.

The squad, and head coach Gareth Jenkins in particular, had come under huge pressure after the record 62-5 defeat to England at Twickenham a fortnight ago.