Argentina 12-30 Wales: Warren Gatland's side finish summer tour unbeaten

Wales finished their summer tour unbeaten after another resounding win over Argentina in Santa Fe.

Warren Gatland's side eased to a 2-0 series win following victory over South Africa in Washington DC.

Wales dominated throughout the match, fly-half Rhys Patchell notching up 20 points in a composed performance.

The only negative was a late red card for number eight Ross Moriarty, sent off for a prolonged headlock on Pumas outside-half Nicolas Sanchez.

It was Wales' first series win in Argentina since 1999 and this impressive victory means Gatland's side are in line to move up to third in the world rankings, overtaking England and Australia.

Patchell's boot was aided by two Welsh tries with a superb solo effort from wing Josh Adams - his first for Wales - and a well-worked score for Hallam Amos.

The hosts were penalised throughout and showed a distinct lack of discipline with Pumas head coach Daniel Hourcade announcing afterwards he will step down after next week's game with Scotland.

Wales had won the first game of their summer tour against South Africa in Washington DC before beating Argentina in the first Test 23-10.

Gatland made five changes for this game which included playing openside flankers Ellis Jenkins and James Davies in the same back-row after the pair had produced man-of-the-match performances in the opening two games.

The tactic worked as the duo continually turned over possession and forced Argentina to give away penalties at the breakdown.

It was another successful decision by Gatland who has blooded and exposed young inexperienced players to Test rugby after leaving most of Wales' 2017 British and Irish Lions at home to rest.

The successful tour has also created more strength in depth and competition for places ahead of the 2019 World Cup in Japan.

Strong start

Wales started off the brighter of the two sides, taking advantage of Argentine ill-discipline as Patchell kicked the visitors into an early 6-0 lead.

Another penalty against the Pumas, this time at the scrum, just in their own territory gave Wales a chance to extend their lead but Patchell's first miss of the game kept it a one-score game.

A loose pass from the Scarlets fly-half then looked to be running out of play before it was picked up by Adams.

The Worcester wing, who was recalled for the tour after initially being withdrawn, managed to gather the ball before proceeding to weave his way through the Pumas defence.

The 23-year-old spotted a gap and broke over the gain line before side-stepping Emiliano Boffelli to score his first ever try for Wales, which Patchell converted.

Rhys Patchell was successful with six of the seven penalties he attempted

Despite a brief foray into the opposition 22, Argentina struggled to get a foothold in the game and Gatland's side continued to make them pay.

Wales thought they had a second try when Patchell's chip was caught by Owen Watkin but after consulting with the touch judge, referee Jaco Peyper ruled the centre was in front of the ball when it was kicked.

However the Welsh didn't leave Argentinean territory without picking up another three points from Patchell's boot as they extended their lead to 16 points.

That soon became 19 as yet more ill-discipline from Argentina at the breakdown was penalised and Patchell, once again, made no mistake with the kick.

With a minute remaining in the first half the Pumas finally got on the scoresheet. Second row Guido Petti saw a big gap in the Welsh defence before offloading to Bautista Delguy, who went over in the corner.

Sanchez missed the resulting conversion as Wales took a commanding 19-5 lead into half-time.

Patchell precision

The second-half started much like most of the first with Patchell slotting over another penalty, this one from inside his own half.

Patchell added yet another three points before Moriarty linked up with the backs for a brilliantly worked Welsh try.

Quick hands from the number eight saw the ball move wide to George North, who skipped passed a defender before passing inside for Amos to cross.

Hallam Amos also scored a try in Wales' first Test this summer against South Africa

Patchell could not kick the conversion from the tight angle, before being replaced by Gareth Anscombe, as Wales extended their lead to 25 points.

As the home crowd began to filter out and the atmosphere dropped, so did the tempo of the match.

It wasn't until the 75th minute the home side had their first real chance of the half to score with a lineout on the Welsh five metre line.

Moriarty's red mist

However, as was the story of the match, Argentina could not string together any momentum and after just a few phases, Wales were awarded another penalty at the breakdown and the chance to clear their lines.

Wales threatened to cross once again late on before tempers started to fly. Moriarty held Puma's Sanchez in a headlock after reacting to an off-the-ball push.

Moriarty's actions were in front of assistant referee Andrew Brace and prompted a member of the Argentina medical staff to become involved in the altercation.

After referring the incident to the television match official, Moriarty was sent off by referee Peyper for his actions.

With the man advantage Argentina scored a consolation try through replacement prop Julian Montoya but the result was beyond doubt.

Despite the disappointing end, Wales ran out commanding winners on the night and 2-0 winners on the Argentina leg of the tour.

Argentina: Emiliano Boffelli; Bautista Delguy, Matias Orlando, Jeronimo de la Fuente, Ramiro Moyano; Nicolas Sanchez, Martin Landajo; Santiago Garcia Botta, Agustin Creevey (capt), Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, Guido Petti, Tomas Lavanini, Pablo Matera, Marcos Kremer, Javier Ortega Desio.

Replacements: Julian Montoya, Javier Diaz, Santiago Medrano, Matias Alemanno, Tomas Lezana, Tomas Lezana, Gonzalo Bertranou, Santiago Gonzalez Iglesias, Sebastien Cancelliere.

Wales: Hallam Amos; Josh Adams, Scott Williams, Owen Watkin, George North; Rhys Patchell, Aled Davies; Rob Evans, Ryan Elias, Tomas Francis, Adam Beard, Cory Hill (capt), Ellis Jenkins, James Davies, Ross Moriarty.

Replacements: Elliot Dee, Nicky Smith, Dillon Lewis, Bradley Davies, Josh Turnbull, Tomos Williams, Gareth Anscombe, Tom Prydie.

Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)

Assistant referees: Mathieu Raynal (France), Andrew Brace (Ireland)

TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)