Wales battled their way to a 24-7 half-time lead, looking comfortable and scoring three tries on the way.

But in the second half the Pumas showed exactly why they are ranked fifth in the world. Their dogged determination and never-say-die attitude almost paid off as they clawed their way back to within a converted try of victory.

Camped on the Welsh try line in the final minutes, only desperate defending from an exhausted Wales stopped a succession of rolling mauls from breaching the whitewash.

With just seconds of the match left the Pumas pack developed a head of steam and bundled their way over to seemingly break Welsh hearts again.

But referee Chris White – the man Wales fans will remember for his whistle-blowing antics at the end of this season’s RBS Six Nations match against Italy – went upstairs to the video ref.

The television match official spotted a knock-on as Martin Durard attempted to ground the ball and ruled 'no try'. White put his whistle to his lips, and Wales were winners.

“I'm relieved and I'm pleased,” said skipper Gareth Thomas. "Regardless how the end was, we won. The record books will show a Wales win and that is what is important. Today was about a victory for us a nation. It was important to get confidence for the boys.”

And confidence was high as Wales scored three fine tries in a first half they dominated both territorially and in terms of possession.

An early interception try from wing Ignacio Corleto was Argentina’s only score in the first 40 minutes as Wales’s first choice XV imposed themselves on the match.

Wales hit back seconds later when a clever dummy and side step by James Hook unlocked the Pumas' defence and Thomas had the power to cross.

Alun Wyn Jones scored Wales's second after a quick penalty by Dwayne Peel gave the Ospreys second row a chance to drive over. And it was Mark Jones who was on hand to score Wales's third after Tom Shanklin's kick ahead bounced kindly in the in-goal area

The second half was slightly scrappier, tired legs showing a lack of match fitness. Next week France come to Cardiff for the final Rugby World Cup warm-up match, and skipper Thomas says today’s win will be welcomed by the squad.

“The morale in the squad is great, as far as we are concerned as a squad we are together, and move forward as one."

Wales (24) 27
Tries: G Thomas, Wyn Jones, M Jones
Cons: Hook (3)
Pen: Hook (2)

Argentina (7) 20
Tries: Corleto (2)
Cons: Todeschini (2)
Pen: Todeschini (2)

Wales: Kevin Morgan (Dragons): Dafydd James (Scarlets), Tom Shanklin (Blues), Gareth Thomas (Blues, Captain), Mark Jones (Scarlets); James Hook (Ospreys), Dwayne Peel (Scarlets); Duncan Jones (Ospreys), Matthew Rees (Scarlets), Adam Jones (Ospreys), Ian Gough (Ospreys), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Jonathan Thomas (Ospreys), Martyn Williams (Blues), Alix Popham (Scarlets)

Replacements: T Rhys Thomas (Blues), Gethin Jenkins (Blues), Will James (Gloucester), Colin Charvis (Dragons), Mike Phillips (Ospreys), Ceri Sweeney (Dragons), Jamie Robinson (Blues)

Argentina: Federico Serra (San Isidro); Lucas Borges (Stade Français Paris), Martin Gaitan (Biarritz Olympique), Felipe Contepomi (Leinster), Ignacio Corleto (Stade Français Paris); Federico Todeschini (Montpellier), Agustin Pichot (Stade Français Paris, captain); Rodrigo Roncero (Stade Français Paris), Mario Ledesma (ASM Clermont Auvergne), Martin Scelzo (ASM Clermont Auvergne), Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe (Sale Sharks), Patricio Albacete (Toulouse), Juan Manuel Leguizamon (London Irish), Juan Fernandez Lobbe (Sale Sharks), Gonzalo Longo (ASM Clermont Auvergne)

Replacements: Alberto Vernet Basualdo (Asociacion Alumni), Santiago Gonzalez Bonorino (Capitolina), Rimas Alvarez (Perpignan), Martin Durand (Montpellier), Nicolas Vergallo (Jockey Club), Manuel Contepomi (Newman), Horacio Agulla (Hindu)