When Wales took the field at the Principality Stadium on November 9, 2025, they weren’t just playing a test match — they were stepping into the first chapter of a new era under head coach Steve Tandy. What followed was a 52-28 thrashing by Argentina, the heaviest loss in Welsh rugby history against the Pumas, and a brutal wake-up call for a team already reeling from Warren Gatland’s departure after the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
A Record-Breaking Night in Cardiff
The final scoreline — 52-28 — wasn’t just a loss. It was a demolition. Argentina’s 52 points surpassed their previous high against Wales (50 in 2004), and the 24-point margin shattered their old record of 18 points (31-13 in Cardiff, 2021). The crowd of 50,185, packed under the closed roof of the Principality Stadium, fell silent as Santiago Carreras converted try after try, turning Welsh errors into Argentine points with chilling efficiency.
The game started with chaos. Wales’ lineout, usually a pillar of their set-piece, collapsed within minutes. Alex Mann dropped a throw from Dewi Lake, and Pedro Delgado sprinted 40 meters for the first try. By the 9th minute, Geronimo Prisciantelli had pounced on a kick-through, and Argentina were up 14-0. Wales responded with grit — Tomos Williams scored off a slick tap-and-go from captain Jac Morgan, and Dan Edwards converted to make it 14-7. Then, for a fleeting moment, it looked like Wales might claw back. Dewi Lake powered over from close range to level the scores at 14-14.
The Turning Point: A Yellow Card and a Collapse
But then came the 26th minute. Ben Thomas, Wales’ center, kicked Pablo Matera while the Argentine was on the ground — a reckless, dangerous act. Referee Ben O’Keeffe showed the yellow card. Argentina didn’t waste a second. Carreras slotted a penalty. Then, in the 37th minute, Simon Benitez Cruz bulldozed over from a driving maul. Just two minutes later, Mateo Carreras turned a long kick ahead by Matera into a 70-meter try. Halftime: 31-14. Wales’ defense had been shredded. Their discipline? Gone.
The second half was a blur of Argentine speed and Welsh desperation. Jac Morgan, Wales’ inspirational openside flanker and captain, crashed over for a try in the 53rd minute — his second of the game — but as he rose, he clutched his shoulder. He didn’t walk off. He was carried. The injury forced him from the field, his arm in a sling, and with him went Wales’ leadership, physicality, and much of their hope.
Argentina’s Depth, Wales’ Fragility
Argentina’s bench was a weapon. Bautista Delguy and Prisciantelli exploited gaps in a tired Welsh backline. Even when Wales looked like they might mount a final surge — Blair Murray, the New Zealander-born flanker making his debut, powered through for a late try — Argentina answered. Santiago Grondona sealed it with a final try, capping off their highest-ever score against Wales.
Wales’ lineup was 82.6% Welsh-born, but the four foreign-born players — including debutant Olly Cracknell, who qualified through a Welsh grandparent — couldn’t mask the structural cracks. Lineouts were unsecure. Tackles were late. Defensive communication? Nonexistent. Argentina’s kick-chase strategy, a hallmark of their modern game, exposed Wales’ lack of cohesion. Every time the ball went into the air, it felt like a gamble — and Wales lost every one.
The Fallout: Rankings, Rebuilding, and the Japan Test
Wales now sit at 73.57 points in the World Rugby Rankings — down 0.48 after the match — just 0.32 points ahead of Japan. That’s razor-thin. And with Japan coming to Cardiff on November 15, 2025, this isn’t just about pride. It’s about survival. A loss to Japan could drop Wales to 13th, triggering a chain reaction: fewer automatic World Cup qualifying spots, more pressure on the selectors, and a very real risk of missing the 2027 Rugby World Cup on home soil.
Tandy’s rebuilding project — already under scrutiny after Gatland’s exit — now faces its first true test. The squad lacks experience at key positions. The leadership vacuum left by Morgan’s injury is alarming. And the defensive discipline? It’s not just poor — it’s dangerous.
What’s Next? The Clock Is Ticking
Wales’ next 10 days will define their season. Without Morgan, who’s ruled out for at least four weeks, Tandy must turn to uncapped players or reshuffle his back row. Will he promote debutant Cracknell to the starting XV? Will he recall veteran Rhys Webb to steady the scrum-half position? And can he fix the lineout — the very foundation of Welsh play — before Japan arrives?
Argentina, meanwhile, are riding high. Their coach, Michael Cheika, has built a side that blends physicality with flair. They’re not just beating Wales — they’re exposing them. And if Wales can’t fix their issues in the next week, the 52-28 scoreline won’t be seen as a fluke. It’ll be seen as a turning point.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Ben Thomas’s yellow card so critical in the match?
Ben Thomas’s yellow card in the 26th minute shifted momentum entirely. With Wales down to 14 men for 10 minutes, Argentina scored 17 points — including two tries and a penalty — turning a 14-14 deadlock into a 31-14 halftime lead. The disciplinary lapse exposed Wales’ lack of composure under pressure, and Argentina capitalized ruthlessly.
How does Jac Morgan’s injury affect Wales’ chances against Japan?
Jac Morgan is Wales’ best defensive player and emotional leader. His absence leaves a void in both structure and spirit. With no clear replacement who matches his work rate, Wales’ breakdown efficiency and defensive organization will suffer. Against Japan’s quick ball and aggressive rucking, this could be catastrophic — especially with Wales already struggling to contain kicks and mauls.
What does this defeat mean for Wales’ 2027 Rugby World Cup qualification?
Wales currently sit just above the automatic qualification cutoff. A loss to Japan on November 15 could drop them below the top 12, forcing them into the regional qualifying pathway — a much tougher route with more games and higher risk. With only three automatic spots available to Europe, every ranking point now matters. This loss could cost them their direct ticket to Australia 2027.
How does Argentina’s performance compare to their past matches against Wales?
This was Argentina’s most complete performance against Wales ever. They scored more points than in any previous match (52 vs. 50 in 2004), won by their largest margin (24 vs. 18 in 2021), and controlled territory and possession for over 70% of the game. Their backline speed, set-piece precision, and discipline far outclassed Wales’ — a stark contrast to their narrow 2021 win.
Why were Wales’ lineouts such a problem?
Wales lost three of their first five lineouts, including the crucial one that led to Argentina’s opening try. The issue wasn’t just technique — it was timing and communication. With Dewi Lake and Alex Mann struggling under pressure, and Argentina’s forwards closing down space aggressively, Wales’ throws were either dropped or stolen. This pattern repeated throughout, undermining their ability to build sustained pressure.
Is Steve Tandy under immediate pressure to change his coaching staff?
While no immediate changes have been announced, the defensive coaching unit — particularly the backline and breakdown coaches — are under intense scrutiny. Tandy inherited a squad with defensive gaps, but the scale of this collapse suggests systemic failures. If Wales lose to Japan, pressure will mount for him to bring in fresh tactical minds, possibly from the provincial ranks, to overhaul the defensive structure before the 2026 Six Nations.
