Wales's revival under Graham Henry has been the stuff of miracles. In little under a year, they have progressed from the ignominy of conceding 96 points to South Africa in Pretoria to a position where if someone suggested they had a chance of making the World Cup semi-finals they would not have to fear the arrival of men in white coats.

Life under Henry is rarely dull. Saturday's victory means Wales have won five of their eight matches under the New Zealander despite conceding an average of 29 points each game.

Wales were at it again at Ferro Carril Oeste, 23 points down in 35 minutes and playing as if they had only just met each other. Within 26 minutes, they were level. "You go through the whole range of emotions with this side," said Henry.

With Wales and Argentina meeting in the opening match of the World Cup in Cardiff next October, the word psychological cropped up a lot last week. It may have explained why Wales arrived at the ground on Saturday only 40 minutes before the kick-off. Their police escort failed to turn up and their coach driver then got lost.

The hosts had thoughtfully laid on a buggy with an enthusiastic driver to deliver a bucket of sand to the goal-kickers. He left Neil Jenkins waiting in vain before the contraption broke down in the second half and had to be pushed off the pitch.

The Pumas were in long need of a push themselves by then. The lead they had built up in the first half thanks largely to Wales's mistakes had evaporated and they lost their sense of proportion, fortunate that sneaky punches went undetected by the match officials.

Argentina claimed afterwards that Wales's tactics in the scrum were illegal. It was an area of the game where Argentina had expected to enjoy supremacy.

"Wales should have been penalised by the referee for boring in," said the Northampton hooker Federico Mendez.

Argentina: Albanese; Bartolucci, Simoni, Arbizu, Durado; Quesada, Pichot; Reggiardo, Mendez, Grau (Hasan 41min), Sporleda (capt), Allub (Ostiglia 55) , Lobbe, Camerlinckx, Martin.

Wales: Howarth; Robinson, Taylor, Bateman, James; N Jenkins, Howley (capt); Rogers (Lewis 75), G Jenkins, Evans (Young 75), C Quinnell, Wyatt, Charvis, S Quinnell, Sinkinson.

Referee: B Campsall (England).