World Cup warm-up match:With Argentina it used to be a case of what you see is what you get: big, burly forwards who looked as if they had just escaped from a chain gang.

Their rugby was just as rough and they liked nothing better than to mix it. The slower the game, the better.

Today's Pumas have sharper claws. Bruisers still lurk in their pack, but the emphasis is on athleticism as much as strength and they pose a threat behind the scrum, prompted by the experienced Agustin Pichot and Leinster's Felipe Contepomi. In Juan Martin Hernandez, who misses today's friendly against Wales because of injury, they have probably the world's best fullback.

Though the domestic game has remained staunchly amateur, professionalism has helped Argentina - 14 of today's side earn their living in Europe: 10 in France, three in England and Contepomi in Ireland. They lack nothing when it comes to fitness and conditioning, and have risen to fifth in the world rankings.

"We have our style and we are not going to renounce it," said the Argentina coach, Marcelo Loffreda. "Rugby is first a battle up front and we will always be combative there, but the second key area is the midfield. We are not just about the forwards."

Argentina are not the opponents Wales would have chosen after their record defeat to England two weeks ago, when their lack of depth was exposed along with deficiencies in the lineout and at the breakdown. Fewer than half the tickets have been sold for today, evidence perhaps that antipathy over the way Wales have played this year is turning to apathy. There is no evidence of World Cup fever, even though Cardiff will stage two of Wales's four group matches, including the likely clincher against Australia.

Defeat today would increase the sense of foreboding: it is the first time Wales have picked their strongest available side since they defeated England in the Six Nations last March and the head coach, Gareth Jenkins, has asked supporters to judge the team on the friendlies this month against Argentina and France.

"There have been too many knee-jerk reactions to Twickenham," said the Wales captain, Gareth Thomas. "It was based on the fact that it was Wales v England and we had lost by a record margin. There is a bigger picture: the context that matters is the World Cup and getting things right for it. Who would remember Twickenham if we won the World Cup?"

A big "if", though Jenkins's record of three victories in 14 tessts looks grimmer statistically than it has been, with two notable exceptions, on the field. A problem for the Welsh Rugby Union is that the vitriol heaped on the coach by supporters has been matched by the Welsh media, creating a sense of alienation that is starting to hit the debt-ridden Welsh union financially.

The Pumas are more than capable of exploiting the pressures on Jenkins and his management team. Thomas, who precipitated the downfall of the 2005 grand slam-winning coach, Mike Ruddock, when a divide between players and coach was highlighted by his refusal to attend a media conference in protest at the presence of one journalist, despite urgings from Ruddock, is again an important figure.

Jenkins will not receive any credit today even if Wales win well, so entrenched are his opponents. Thomas, as he did two years ago, commands total loyalty from his squad and no little public affection. If Wales find the promised land, he will have led them there.

• Guardian Service

WALES: K Morgan; D James, T Shanklin, G Thomas (capt), M Jones; J Hook, D Peel; D Jones, M Rees, A Jones; I Gough, A-W Jones; J Thomas, M Williams, A Popham. Replacements: T Rhys Thomas, G Jenkins, W James, C Charvis, M Phillips, C Sweeney, J Robinson.

ARGENTINA: F Serra; L Borges, M Gaitán, F Contepomi, I Corleto; F Todeschini, A Pichot (capt); R Roncero, M Ledesma, M Scelzo; I Fernández Lobbe, P Albacete; J-M Leguizamón, J Fernández Lobbe, G Longo. Replacements: A Vernet Basualdo, S González Bonorino, R Álvarez Kairelis, M Durand, N Vergallo, M Contepomi, H Agulla.

Referee: Chris White (England).

Wales v Argentina Millennium Stadium, Saturday, 2.30 On TV: BBC 1.