Wales player ratings vs Argentina: Dan Biggar stars in final game

Argentina are through to the semi-finals of Rugby World Cup 2023 after Nicolas Sanchez’s late try and penalty secured a 29-17 victory over Wales at Stade de Marseille on Saturday, 14 October.

A Dan Biggar try and five points from his boot gave Wales a 10-6 lead going into half-time, but Emiliano Boffelli nudged the Pumas in front with his fourth penalty in the 48th minute.

Tomos Williams then darted over to hand the lead back to Wales, before Joel Sclavi dived over from close range to give Argentina a two-point lead following the conversation.

Sanchez then put the finishing touches on the victory with an intercept try that saw him flooded by his jubilant team-mates in the in-goal area, before slotting a penalty in the last act of the game to steer his side into the last four of the competition.

Scroll down for Wales player ratings vs Argentina:

Most points: Dan Biggar - 12

Metres: Liam Williams - 129

Defenders beaten: George North - 4

Tackles: Jac Morgan - 17

Tackles missed: Gareth Thomas - 3

Turnovers won: Josh Adams - 1

Clean breaks: Louis Rees-Zammit - 3

Confident showing under the high ball, despite failing an early kick-regather. Two key try-saving tackles in the first half, and a key turn-over at the 37^th minute. Slipped into contact in the build-up to Biggar’s try, and ambitious to back-himself with a short drop out. Took a battering in the second half, and stayed down after a heavy hit having previously been injured against Georgia. (Off for Rio Dyer – 59 minutes)

Immediate impact with chip chases into the back-field. Argentina read his early attempts, with covering from Boffelli. A loose offload was slung forward in a dangerous area, with constant pressure on the Gloucester man. Argentina recognised him as the danger-man, and was swarmed throughout the match.

Presented a blindside attacking option at the set-piece, and moved to fullback in Liam Williams’ absence. Missed his first high ball at 15, and then overhit the returning kick to the dead ball. Inches away from scoring late on, but nailed into touch by Mattias Moroni.

Wales’ best ball carrier. Made half a break and offloaded off the floor, as Gareth Davies supported and provide the assist to Dan Biggar’s try. Solid early on, with a great searching run at 24 minutes. He split the midfield, but Josh Adams failed to gather the ball in a scoring position.

Axis worked well in between Dan Biggar and George North. Very solid early on, contributing key passes as the midfield heartbeat. Hit in head by an unpunished Guido Petti at the ruck, and returned from the HIA (74 minutes). Returned to the field for Dan Biggar, presenting his versatility along the back-line. (Off for Sam Costelow – 64 minutes).

Strong opening tackle to set his tempo in defence. Spilled the pass from North, which could have led to a try. Good pressure on Argentina’s back three under the high ball, but ended his half with an unnecessary shot on Cubelli. Lucky to avoid a yellow. Continued to jump in front of high ball catchers, and repeatedly lucky to be let off.

Sent missiles into the sky, and started very well with the first try. Great supporting line to get into position, and cruised in under the posts. Questions around a dubious high tackle at 18 minutes on Chocobares, and slotted well from the tee. Wincing after re-aggrovating the pectoral injury, after a heavy Gonzalez hit. Presented the outside dummy run option for Tomos Williams’ try, and cried out for ‘holding on’, as Sclavi scored for Argentina. (Off – Nick Tompkins 74 minutes)

First box kick was scuffed, but settled in with stronger efforts from the boot. Fronted up well in contact, and sent a key pass for Dan Biggar’s opening try. Taken off early after previously twisting his knee in the first half. (Off – Tomos Williams 49 minutes)

Key pillar as Wales dominated the early scrums. Gave away a penalty at the set-piece for not driving straight (35 minutes), as the Welsh pack faltered in the latter first half. Looked beaten up after the wrestle with Georgia, and missed a tackle in the loose at the close of the half. (Off – Corey Domachowski 56 minutes)

Struggled at the line-out, with three failed set-pieces, two from over-throwing. Solid early scrum and presented a confident carry option. Forced the Pumas scrum to crumble in the first half. (Replaced at half time for Dewi Lake).

Strong early scrums, and led the way with a leadership voice. Carrying option for Gareth Davies, running onto the scrum-half in the loose. Disrupted the defence, and led the Welsh scrum dominance of the first half. Offside in the defence at 37 mins. Huge shift at the tight-head, against a powerful Pumas pack. (Off – Dillon Lewis 65 minutes)

Miss-timed a line-out jump in 22 minutes, in a match that saw Wales struggle at the arial set-piece. Worked tirelessly, and halted the second half onslaught from Argentina as best as he could. However, the Pumas prevailed overall.

Line-out took a while to get steady, and miss communications with Rowlands led to a knock-on in the midfield at a break. Tackled hard to the very end, and left after a strong effort. (Off – Daffyd Jenkins 65 minutes)

Great stepping and fending against the Argentina defenders. Once again Morgan led by example and was one of Wales’ best players in a losing effort. Won a key turnover at 27 minutes, and only faltered in defence one time of note, as he was bounced back by Montoya. Carried for the short and sharp yards, and won a penalty on his try-line against an eager Alemanno.

Worked together with Morgan as a solid unit, as he made the tackle for Morgan’s 27^th minute turnover. Baited into a dangerous scenario, but avoided the tackle on the jumping ball carrier. Gifted Argentina a penalty at 41 minutes for not rolling away. (Off – Christ Tshuinza – 56 minutes)

Great turnover after 6 minutes, and stood in strong for broken armed Faletau. Cleaned up the loose ball well, and covered rucks with a great engine. Presented a pick option at the back of the scrum, but was turned over at the ruck on a couple occasions. Lots of pressure for high ball catchers, forced several spills. Kicked off at Lavanini and ended up thrown to the deck.

On at half-time for disappointing Ryan Elias set-pieces. However, line-out struggled to improve. Gifted the Pumas a 64^th minute penalty for not releasing in the ruck, despite the hard defence efforts of Dillon Lewis.

Collapsed under the Argentine scrum at 64 minutes, but kept his form for the most part. His inexperience showed having only made his Wales debut in the Summer. Tried to force a turnover, but was shunted back on his line by the Pumas.

Put in an immense effort to half the Pumas drives, with Biggar crying out for his turn-over attempt. However, the replacement props efforts came to no avail, as Sclavi slid free for a key try.

On for Adam Beard, but did not bring the spark to lift the Wales drive in the second half. Carried well, but was halted by the tough Pumas, with as he was routinely chopped down.

On for Reffell and offered a strong presence carrying in the loose. Interesting observation was his choice to play the majority of the match with his scrum cap stuffed down his shorts. Tried to re-establish the foundations of the line-out but the communications were too far gone.

Earlier inclusion than he was expecting, with Gareth Davies’ withdrawl after just 49 minutes. Scored a key score at 56 minutes, as he sniped his way through the Argentina defence with a nice cutting line.

On for Nick Tompkins as the centre left with a HIA. Adapted well into the midfield with North, and made strong tackles on the heavy Pumas ball carriers. Threw the blind pass for Nicolas Sanchez’ intercept, which crushed Welsh hearts and kicked them out the tournament.

On for Liam Williams at 59 minutes, and forced Louis Rees-Zammit to fullback. Helped in the halting of Creevy’s short drive to the line, and offered some key short bursts in attack. Great breakaway, and played in Rees-Zammit for his narrow missed try.