THERE is no other way for me to start other than by wishing Leigh Halfpenny all the best. For his 100th Test to end like that was just so cruel and after just 30 seconds, too.
We all know the risk that comes with playing professional rugby, but for Leigh’s milestone to be ruined like that was just awful.
It was a positive Leigh was back up on his feet with the help of crutches and with his knee in a brace at the final whistle in Cardiff.
Scans this week will determine how long he is out for, but I do worry it will be a long time.
The nature of how he suffered the injury makes me think he has suffered serious knee ligament damage. When a player is running at speed, attempts to step and change direction, and then goes down in a heap without anyone tackling him, you always fear for them.
We saw that with George North at the end of the regional season when he suffered a similar sort of injury in action for the Ospreys against Cardiff Blues.
We know George needed surgery to fix his torn anterior cruciate knee ligament after that and Leigh may need something similar. Obviously, both I and the whole of Wales hope that’s not the case.
Even though his 96th Welsh cap lasted less than a minute, it’s still a great achievement for Leigh to bring up three figures in Tests when you include his four appearances for the British & Irish Lions.
I’m sure that won’t be much of a consolation to him right now though. To see him in tears on the pitch was not nice at all.
After conceding a try and gathering their composure, I thought Wales played very well. There are definitely areas for them to improve and they will have to do that to beat Argentina.
But what pleased me most against Canada was the team’s structure. Yes, there were errors, but there was a good balance to the side.
I thought the young players were very good and for Wayne to hand out five new caps would have been very pleasing for him. Tommy Rogers was lively down the wing and although Taine Basham grabbed two tries coming off the bench, Ben Carter was my standout figure from the new faces.
For a 20-year-old to be running the lineout in any Test is impressive and Carter did it well. His set-piece work was solid and he had an impact around the park to last 80 minutes.
Ross Moriarty also had a good game save for one poor pass which cost Wales a try and it was good to see him back in the red shirt.
I think Wales will keep the majority of the same side for the Pumas. Wayne must decide whether to use Jonah Holmes at full-back as he did against Canada after Leigh went off or bring in someone like Hallam Amos or Ioan Lloyd.
I think Holmes or Amos will be favourites, but 15 has always been Hallam’s best position so I’d give him a run with Jonah on the wing.
Argentina are going to be a serious challenge. Let’s not forget they beat New Zealand and drew twice with Australia last year. They will also have a point to prove to Wales after they were beaten twice by them on home turf in 2018. Wales will have to rise to that challenge.
I think they will do that and who knows, maybe Leigh’s injury can galvanise the squad even further.
