Wales scored some great tries
Four quite different tries, and the variety was good to see. Mike Phillips’ was an opportunist’s score finished well from 75 metres (although there was no way he was ever going to pass), George North’s was astraight off the training ground, Toby Faletau rounded off a great move and Ken Owens rumbled over for a try which could be accredited to all the forwards.
The backs were big
George North’s try was typical of what we have come to expect from him: a combination of speed, power and deftness when required. He was kept in check by South Africa last week, but against an admittedly much weaker opposition, he looked like he was back on the Lions tour.
Meanwhile, George North appears to be playing against children in Cardiff.
— Ben Coles (@bencoles_) November 16, 2013
It wasn’t just North: debutant Cory Allen and Scott Williams meant the Roberts-Davies combo was not missed yesterday while relative newby Liam Williams was threatening on his wing. Dan Biggar also ensured there was more control at stand-off than there had been last week. It was also nice to see the ball being chucked around a bit – and it would be even nicer to see attempts at similar flair against the top Southern Hemisphere teams.
Wing @George_North flies past the Argentina defence on the way to Wales’ second try of the day. #WALvARG pic.twitter.com/NuohShUWqi
— Welsh Rugby Union (@WelshRugbyUnion) November 16, 2013
Injuries continue to mount
With Cory Allen out for the rest of the autumn, it’s approaching crisis point at centre…
The ref was good
From my vantage point at least, John Lacey had a decent game – not as pedantic as many referees, not as desperate to be the centre of attention as others (including Alain Rolland last week and yesterday’s touch judge Steve Walsh).
But two downers on the day
The Millennium Stadium is a great venue, but the pitch is as bad as it’s ever been, and almost certainly dangerous.
There were also a number of attempts – ultimately and fortunately unsuccessful – at starting a Mexican Wave. Anyone who’s been to a sports game with me will know I loathe Mexican Waves. Then again, if that’s the symptom of a comfortable Welsh victory, so be it…