Wales stopped a run of three home defeats as they saw off Argentina with two tries in Cardiff.
It was a gutsy effort by Wayne Pivac's men after their hiding at the hands of the All Blacks a week earlier.
Taulupe Faletau and Tomos Williams claimed touchdowns but the Pumas stayed in the game and made the hosts endure a nervous finish with a try from prop Nahuel Chapparo in the final quarter.
But Wales were able to see the job out.
MARK ORDERS dishes out the player ratings.
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Louis Rees-Zammit 7
No major experience as a full-back in senior rugby.
No problem.
Served notice of intent by knifing through the first line of defence in early minutes. There was the odd glitch under the high ball, but Rees Zammit kicked well and didn’t look out of place at 15.
Alex Cuthbert 6
The challenge was to hit the ground running in his first game in four months. Cuthbert did well enough, making ground with ball in hand and returning clean figures in defence.
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George North 8
Fired up from start to finish. North stopped a dangerous early raid from the Pumas and went on to put in a number of jolting tackles. There was also an immense carry from the Wales No. 13 that must have rattled every bone in Santiago Carreras’ body.
Nick Tompkins 6
Early misread in defence, but plenty of punch going forward. Surprisingly whipped off on 53 minutes.
Rio Dyer 6
Another member of the Wales back three who started with a flourish, making ground with a run infield. There were a number of other incursions, too, even if opportunities dried up a shade in the second half.
Gareth Anscombe 6
Only his second start at fly-half under Wayne Pivac. Kicks tended to find defenders rather than grass early on. On the plus side, he made a few runs and his goal-kicking was good. Subbed on 56 minutes.
Tomos Williams 7
A strong effort from the scrum-half, crowned by a charge-down try after he gained reward for chasing his own kick. He didn’t stop working, stayed on for the full 80 and outplayed his opposite number.
Gareth Thomas 7
A significant improvement in the space of a week. Better with ball in hand and chopped down any number of opposition attackers. Scrum was solid, too. Replaced on 62 minutes.
Ken Owens 7
Bad five minutes saw lineout go awry and then Owens lost ball as he dived for the line. Matters did improve as he made ground with carries and defended stoutly, putting in a prodigious 18 hits. Stayed on for the full 80.
Dillon Lewis 7
His first big play saw him win a turnover but he gave away a scrum penalty not long after. Good in the loose, he justified his selection.
Will Rowlands 6
Industry is never a problem for the Dragon and he grafted tirelessly again, including some big hits in his defensive work. Also helped Wales cross the gain-line with his carrying, but yellow card was careless. Injury added to his woes.
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Adam Beard 7
Received well-deserved pats on the back after securing key turnover just five metres from Wales’ line. Beard also put in a strong tackling shift. Impressive, then.
Dan Lydiate 6
A sad week after losing his father. Had started well with carries and tackles, but injury struck and he left the pitch on 28 minutes.
Justin Tipuric 8
Superb in so many ways — quick out of the line in defence, picked some nice lines in attack, alert to danger. Provided the lineout ball which Wales used to score their opening try. The captain can be proud of his effort.
Taulupe Faletau 9
Does this man ever have a bad game? Scored a try, carried relentlessly, made 15 tackles without missing. If there was a blade of grass he didn’t cover, we should be told about it. A great 32nd birthday, then.
Replacements
Ryan Elias 6
On at blindside flanker. Adapted.
Rhodri Jones 6
One piledriving hit, provided a significant physical presence.
Sam Wainwright N/A
First appearance in a home Test, albeit for just a few minutes at end.
Ben Carter 5
Picked ahead of Alun Wyn Jones for this one. Keen in defence, but couldn’t get hands on ball.
Jac Morgan 8
A super defensive shift, seeing Morgan make 17 tackles after coming on for Lydiate in the 28th minute. Also showed impressive leg power when he surged over gainline in second half.
Rhys Priestland 7
Some nice kicking, good decision-making.
Owen Watkin 6
Steady in attack and defence.
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