Wales v Argentina: Gatland "relatively pleased" with win

Alun Wyn Jones and Justin Tipuric congratulate Toby Faletau after his try for Wales.

Wales coach Warren Gatland was "relatively pleased" with his side's 40-6 victory against Argentina at the Millennium Stadium.

The Six Nations champions ran in four tries by Mike Phillips, George North, Toby Faletau and Ken Owens in this comfortable win against the Pumas.

Gatland saw his Wales side end a four-year losing streak at home in Cardiff during the autumn internationals.

"I am relatively pleased," said Gatland.

"There were a few things, like some opportunities we missed, and that is ten or 15 points, but you are always looking for the perfect performance.

"You cannot always be greedy, but I'm pleased the things we have spoken about and worked on... you could see the improvement.

"Maul, and scrum and lineout was good, we were much better in the air and defensively we were good.

"Those are the three or four things we concentrated on and worked hard on this week.

"When you see that come to fruition in the performance, from a coaching point of view, that is pleasing."

Wales had not won their last 11 games during the autumn Test series in Cardiff, and had lost the corresponding fixture to Argentina 12 months ago.

But a repeat of that defeat never looked likely when Wales went in 23-3 ahead against the Pumas at half-time.

Gatland was satisfied with his side's defensive performance and the fact that Argentina did not score a try.

"You are never satisfied but to put 40 points on them, knowing we could have scored more, and keeping them tryless is a pretty good performance all round," said Gatland.

"We got the buffer and the lead [early on], but what was pleasing was that players saw the chance to play what was in front of them.

"Players moving the ball from their own 22 or goal line...that is what we are trying to develop.

"We created lots of chances, but a couple of times the final pass might have seen us score a couple of more points.

"I have to be satisfied, with the few injuries we have had, but we have adapted to that."

Wales' win looks to have come at a cost with growing centre injury crisis ahead of the remaining games against Tonga and Australia.

Centre Cory Allen made his debut against the Pumas but dislocated his shoulder and is out of the rest of the autumn series.

Scott Williams suffered toe ligament damage and could miss Friday's game with Tonga but might possibly return against Australia on 30 November.

Wales were already without Lions pair Jamie Roberts and Jonathan Davies.

Davies suffered a torn pectoral muscle in last week's 15-24 defeat to South Africa that is likely to also see the British and Irish Lions star miss that start of the Six Nations in February, while Roberts has a long-term ankle problem.

Cardiff Blues centre Owen Williams is also struggling with a knock, leaving Osprey Ashley Beck as the only fit specialist centre in the Wales squad.

Perpignan's full-back James Hook has played in midfield for Wales before, while Dragons utility back Hallam Amos is another capable of filling in at centre.