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2004 Wales rugby union tour of Argentina and South Africa

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2004 Wales rugby union tour of Argentina and South Africa
Date12–26 June 2004
Coach(es)Mike Ruddock
Tour captain(s)Colin Charvis
Top test point scorer(s)Gavin Henson (42)
Top test try scorer(s)Shane Williams (4)
Summary
P W D L
Total
04 02 00 02
Test match
03 01 00 02
Opponent
P W D L
 Argentina
2 1 0 1
 South Africa
1 0 0 1
Barbarians
1 1 0 0
Tour chronology
Previous tourOceania 2003
Next tourNorth America 2005

In June 2004, the Wales national rugby union team toured Argentina and South Africa. They played two test matches against the Argentina national team in Buenos Aires, losing 50–44 in the first on 12 June before winning the second 35–20 on 19 June, before playing the South Africa national team on 26 June 2004, losing 53–18 in Pretoria on 26 June. Before leaving for the tour, they also played an uncapped match against the Barbarians at Ashton Gate Stadium in Bristol, winning 42–0. The tour saw call-ups for three uncapped players for Wales – Barry Davies, Peter Sidoli and Jason Forster – but only Forster played in any of the three games, scoring Wales' second try in the first test against Argentina.

Squads

[edit]

Wales

[edit]

Wales coach Mike Ruddock, leading the nation for the first time following the departure of Steve Hansen at the end of the 2004 Six Nations Championship,[1] named a 33-man squad for the tour. Hooker Barry Williams retired from international rugby at the start of May 2004,[2] and several players were unavailable due to injury, including lock Robert Sidoli, scrum-half Gareth Cooper,[3] hooker Robin McBryde and fly-half Stephen Jones, which meant a less experienced squad was named for the tour, and there were call-ups for the uncapped lock Peter Sidoli, flanker Jason Forster and full-back Barry Davies. Prop Darren Morris was also recalled to the squad almost three years after his last cap for Wales.[4] Following the withdrawal of Craig Morgan from the squad with leg injuries, Tal Selley was called up in his place.[5] Prop Iestyn Thomas also pulled out with a shoulder injury and was replaced by Rhys Thomas.[6] After suffering an ankle injury in the pre-tour match against the Barbarians, Gareth Thomas had hoped to join up with the squad in time for the second test against Argentina; however, he did not recover in time for that match.[7]

Name Position Caps[8] Club Notes
Huw Bennett Hooker 6 Neath–Swansea Ospreys
Mefin Davies Hooker 17 Celtic Warriors
Steve Jones Hooker 1 Newport Gwent Dragons
Gethin Jenkins Prop 20 Celtic Warriors
Adam Jones Prop 9 Neath–Swansea Ospreys
Duncan Jones Prop 10 Neath–Swansea Ospreys
Darren Morris Prop 14 Leicester Tigers
Iestyn Thomas Prop 30 Llanelli Scarlets Withdrew with shoulder injury
Rhys Thomas Prop 0 Newport Gwent Dragons Injury replacement for Iestyn Thomas
Brent Cockbain Lock 9 Celtic Warriors
Deiniol Jones Lock 2 Celtic Warriors
Gareth Llewellyn Lock 87 Swansea
Peter Sidoli Lock 0 Newport Gwent Dragons
Colin Charvis Back row 68 Tarbes Captain
Jason Forster Back row 0 Newport Gwent Dragons
Dafydd Jones Back row 20 Llanelli Scarlets
Michael Owen Back row 13 Newport Gwent Dragons
Alix Popham Back row 8 Leeds Tykes
Jonathan Thomas Back row 11 Neath–Swansea Ospreys
Dwayne Peel Scrum-half 30 Llanelli Scarlets
Mike Phillips Scrum-half 1 Llanelli Scarlets
Andy Williams Scrum-half 1 Neath–Swansea Ospreys
Gavin Henson Fly-half 4 Neath–Swansea Ospreys
Nicky Robinson Fly-half 2 Cardiff Blues
Ceri Sweeney Fly-half 13 Newport Gwent Dragons
Hal Luscombe Centre 1 Newport Gwent Dragons
Sonny Parker Centre 10 Celtic Warriors
Tom Shanklin Centre 21 Cardiff Blues
Nathan Brew Wing 1 Newport Gwent Dragons
Craig Morgan Wing 9 Cardiff Blues Withdrew with thigh/calf injuries
Tal Selley Wing 0 Llanelli Scarlets Injury replacement for Craig Morgan
Shane Williams Wing 18 Neath–Swansea Ospreys
Barry Davies Full-back 0 Llanelli Scarlets
Gareth Thomas Full-back 77 Toulouse
Rhys Williams Full-back 37 Cardiff Blues

Argentina

[edit]

Argentina named a 26-man squad on 17 May 2004 for the two-test series against Wales and a one-off test against New Zealand. It was Argentina's first international action since they were eliminated in the group stage of the 2003 Rugby World Cup.[9] Agustín Pichot, Ignacio Corleto, Juan Martín Hernández, Rimas Álvarez Kairelis and Mario Ledesma all withdrew to take part in the 2003–04 Top 16 play-offs with their respective clubs.[10]

Name Position Club Notes
Mario Ledesma Hooker Castres Withdrew
Federico Méndez Hooker Mendoza
Pablo Cardinali Prop Béziers
Eusebio Guiñazú Prop Mendoza
Omar Hasan Prop Agen
Rodrigo Roncero Prop Gloucester
Patricio Albacete Lock Colomiers
Rimas Álvarez Kairelis Lock USA Perpignan Withdrew
Ignacio Fernández Lobbe Lock Castres
Pablo Bouza Back row Duendes
Martín Durand Back row Champagnat
Gonzalo Longo Back row Narbonne Captain
Lucas Ostiglia Back row Petrarca
Martín Schusterman Back row Plymouth Albion
Matías Albina Scrum-half Los Tilos
Nicolás Fernández Miranda Scrum-half Petrarca
Lucio López Fleming Scrum-half San Isidro
Agustín Pichot Scrum-half Stade Français Withdrew
German Bustos Fly-half Los Tordos
Felipe Contepomi Fly-half Leinster
Juan Fernández Miranda Fly-half Béziers
Juan Martín Hernández Fly-half Stade Français Withdrew
Manuel Contepomi Centre Newman
Martín Gaitán Centre Biarritz
José Orengo Centre Grenoble
Hernán Senillosa Centre Hindú
Lucas Borges Wing Club Pucará
José María Núñez Piossek Wing Huirapuca
Ignacio Corleto Full-back Stade Français Withdrew

South Africa

[edit]

South Africa were playing two home tests against Ireland and one against Wales. Like Argentina, these were South Africa's first internationals since the 2003 Rugby World Cup. They were also the team's first matches under new head coach Jake White, who replaced Rudolf Straeuli after the World Cup.[11] The South Africa management had been criticised for only selecting one non-white player, Ashwin Willemse, for the World Cup quarter-final against New Zealand. On 16 May 2004, they named six black players in their 22-man squad to begin the summer; in addition to Willemse, they also called up Eddie Andrews, Bolla Conradie, Quinton Davids, Wayne Julies and Hanyani Shimange. Full-back Percy Montgomery was also named despite breaking his hand while playing for the Newport Gwent Dragons two days before the squad was announced.[12][13]

Name Position Club Notes
Hanyani Shimange Hooker Free State
John Smit Hooker Sharks Captain
Eddie Andrews Prop Western Province
Os du Randt Prop Free State
Faan Rautenbach Prop Lions
Bakkies Botha Lock Blue Bulls
Quinton Davids Lock Western Province
Victor Matfield Lock Blue Bulls
Schalk Burger Back row Western Province
Juan Smith Back row Free State
Joe van Niekerk Back row Western Province
Pedrie Wannenburg Back row Blue Bulls
Bolla Conradie Scrum-half Western Province
Fourie du Preez Scrum-half Blue Bulls
Jaco van der Westhuyzen Fly-half Leicester Tigers
De Wet Barry Centre Western Province
Jaque Fourie Centre Lions
Marius Joubert Centre Western Province
Wayne Julies Centre Free State
Brent Russell Wing Sharks
Ashwin Willemse Wing Lions
Percy Montgomery Full-back Newport Gwent Dragons

Results

[edit]

Wales vs Barbarians

[edit]

Wales' first match of the summer saw them warm up for their southern hemisphere tour with their fourth meeting with the Barbarians in as many years, played at Ashton Gate in Bristol on 26 May. Fly-half Ceri Sweeney scored all of Wales' points in the first half, converting his own try and adding two penalties to give them a 13–0 lead. Gareth Thomas, Rhys Williams, Dwayne Peel, Gavin Henson and Hal Luscombe all scored tries in the second half, with Sweeney adding two further conversions, while the defence stood firm to keep a clean sheet; it was the first time the Barbarians had failed to score in a match since 1978.[14] Thomas suffered an ankle injury during the game that meant he had to be substituted after an hour, putting him in doubt for the tour.[15]

26 May 2004
19:45
Wales 42–0Barbarians
Try: Sweeney
Thomas
R. Williams
Peel
Henson
Luscombe
Con: Sweeney (3)
Pen: Sweeney (2)
Report
Ashton Gate, Bristol
Attendance: 11,381
FB 15 Gareth Thomas
RW 14 Rhys Williams
OC 13 Sonny Parker
IC 12 Gavin Henson
LW 11 Shane Williams
FH 10 Ceri Sweeney
SH 9 Dwayne Peel
N8 8 Michael Owen
OF 7 Jason Forster
BF 6 Colin Charvis (c)
RL 5 Gareth Llewellyn
LL 4 Brent Cockbain
TP 3 Adam Jones
HK 2 Mefin Davies
LP 1 Duncan Jones
Replacements:
HK 16 Huw Bennett
PR 17 Gethin Jenkins
LK 18 Peter Sidoli
FL 19 Dafydd Jones
SH 20 Mike Phillips
FH 21 Nicky Robinson
CE 22 Hal Luscombe
Coach:
Mike Ruddock
FB 15 New Zealand Bruce Reihana
RW 14 Wales Dafydd James
OC 13 France Damien Traille
IC 12 Australia Nathan Grey
LW 11 South Africa Breyton Paulse
FH 10 Australia Matt Burke (c)
SH 9 South Africa Neil de Kock
N8 8 Ireland Eric Miller
OF 7 South Africa André Vos
BF 6 France Olivier Magne
RL 5 Australia Mark Connors
LL 4 New Zealand Brad Mika
TP 3 South Africa Richard Bands
HK 2 New Zealand Matt Sexton
LP 1 South Africa Ollie le Roux
Replacements:
HK 16 New Zealand Anton Oliver
PR 17 England Jason Leonard
LK 18 Australia Owen Finegan
FL 19 Italy Aaron Persico
SH 20 New Zealand Mark Robinson
FH 21 Ireland David Humphreys
FB 22 France Thomas Castaignède
Coach:
Alan Solomons

Argentina vs Wales (1st test)

[edit]

Wales coach Mike Ruddock made just one change to the team that started the match against the Barbarians, as Hal Luscombe came in on the right wing for Rhys Williams, who was filling in for the injured Gareth Thomas at full-back. Meanwhile, Jason Forster retained his position in the back row to earn his first full cap at the age of 33, while 35-year-old lock Gareth Llewellyn surpassed Neil Jenkins as Wales' most-capped player with 88 international appearances.[16] Argentina's selection was affected by the release of five players back to their French clubs in order to appear in the Top 16 championship play-offs, including captain Agustín Pichot.[17] Number 8 Gonzalo Longo replaced Pichot as captain, while uncapped forwards Pablo Cardinali and Martín Schusterman were named on the bench.[18]

Longo scored the only try of the first half, combining with Felipe Contepomi's four penalties to give Argentina a 19–9 lead at the break. The hosts opened up an unassailable lead early in the second half, however, thanks to a trio of unanswered tries: two from Lucas Borges and another from Contepomi. Dwayne Peel scored a breakaway try for Wales, but Martín Gaitán restored Argentina's lead. Forster pulled Wales back with a debut try shortly after, only for Manuel Contepomi to again push Argentina seemingly out of reach. But with just over 10 minutes to play, Colin Charvis sparked a flurry of Welsh scores, with Sonny Parker and Luscombe following suit to reduce the deficit to six points. On the last play of the game, Shane Williams made a line break and played an inside pass to Parker, only for the centre to knock on, confirming an Argentine victory.[19]

FB 15 Hernán Senillosa
RW 14 Lucas Borges
OC 13 Martín Gaitán downward-facing red arrow 70'
IC 12 Manuel Contepomi
LW 11 José María Núñez Piossek
FH 10 Felipe Contepomi
SH 9 Matias Albina
N8 8 Gonzalo Longo (c)
OF 7 Martín Durand downward-facing red arrow 66'
BF 6 Lucas Ostiglia downward-facing red arrow 77'
RL 5 Patricio Albacete
LL 4 Ignacio Fernández Lobbe
TP 3 Omar Hasan downward-facing red arrow 79'
HK 2 Federico Méndez
LP 1 Rodrigo Roncero
Replacements:
HK 16 Eusebio Guiñazú
PR 17 Pablo Cardinali upward-facing green arrow 79'
LK 18 Pablo Bouza upward-facing green arrow 77'
FL 19 Martín Schusterman upward-facing green arrow 66'
SH 20 Lucio Lopez Fleming
FH 21 German Bustos
CE 22 José Orengo upward-facing green arrow 70'
Coach:
Marcelo Loffreda
FB 15 Rhys Williams downward-facing red arrow 55'
RW 14 Hal Luscombe
OC 13 Sonny Parker
IC 12 Gavin Henson
LW 11 Shane Williams
FH 10 Ceri Sweeney downward-facing red arrow 51'
SH 9 Dwayne Peel downward-facing red arrow 75'
N8 8 Michael Owen
OF 7 Jason Forster
BF 6 Colin Charvis (c) Yellow card 31'
RL 5 Gareth Llewellyn
LL 4 Brent Cockbain
TP 3 Adam Jones downward-facing red arrow 58'
HK 2 Mefin Davies downward-facing red arrow 75'
LP 1 Duncan Jones downward-facing red arrow 75'
Replacements:
HK 16 Huw Bennett upward-facing green arrow 75'
PR 17 Gethin Jenkins upward-facing green arrow 75'
PR 18 Darren Morris upward-facing green arrow 58'
FL 19 Jonathan Thomas
SH 20 Mike Phillips upward-facing green arrow 75'
FH 21 Nicky Robinson upward-facing green arrow 51'
CE 22 Tom Shanklin upward-facing green arrow 55'
Coach:
Mike Ruddock

Argentina vs Wales (2nd test)

[edit]

Wales brought in four new faces for the second test: Huw Bennett and Dafydd Jones in the forwards, and Nicky Robinson and Tom Shanklin in the backs. Bennett and Shanklin came in for Mefin Davies and Rhys Williams, who had been ill in the week; both were thought to have recovered in time to be named as substitutes, but Williams was ultimately left out in favour of Barry Davies. Ceri Sweeney, whom Robinson replaced, was also named on the bench, but Jason Forster was left out altogether despite a try-scoring debut the previous week. There were two positional changes in the starting XV as Colin Charvis moved from blindside to openside and Gavin Henson moved from inside centre to full-back. Argentina made two changes to their starting line-up, as centre José Orengo replaced Martín Gaitán, who had suffered a groin injury, and Nicolás Fernández Miranda returned from domestic duty with his club, Petrarca.[20]

Shane Williams scored a first-half hat-trick of tries, two of which were converted by Henson. He also scored two penalties to give Wales a 25–0 lead at half-time, aided by Ignacio Fernández Lobbe's yellow card for coming in at the side of a ruck. After the break, Charvis was sin-binned for the second week in a row for killing the ball, resulting in Hernán Senillosa kicking Argentina's first points of the game. This was soon followed by their opening try, scored by Federico Martín Aramburú and converted by Senillosa. Omar Hasan reduced the deficit to 10 points with another try following a turnover from a Wales line-out in Argentina territory, but another Henson penalty and a try from Nicky Robinson put Wales 20 points up again. Shane Williams was yellow-carded late on for killing the ball, and Lucas Borges completed the scoring with a try awarded after video review.[21][22]

19 June 2004
Argentina 20–35 Wales
Try: Aramburú
Hasan
Borges
Con: Senillosa
Pen: Senillosa
ReportTry: S. Williams (3)
Robinson
Con: Henson (3)
Pen: Henson (3)
Ferro Carril Oeste, Buenos Aires
Attendance: 45,000
Referee: Donal Courtney (Ireland)
FB 15 Hernán Senillosa
RW 14 Lucas Borges
OC 13 José Orengo
IC 12 Manuel Contepomi
LW 11 José María Núñez Piossek
FH 10 Felipe Contepomi
SH 9 Nicolás Fernández Miranda
N8 8 Gonzalo Longo (c)
OF 7 Martín Durand
BF 6 Lucas Ostiglia
RL 5 Patricio Albacete
LL 4 Ignacio Fernández Lobbe Yellow card
TP 3 Omar Hasan
HK 2 Federico Méndez
LP 1 Rodrigo Roncero
Replacements:
HK 16 Mario Ledesma upward-facing green arrow
PR 17 Eusebio Guiñazú upward-facing green arrow
FH 18 German Bustos
FL 19 Martín Schusterman upward-facing green arrow
SH 20 Matias Albina upward-facing green arrow
FH 21 Juan Fernández Miranda upward-facing green arrow
CE 22 Federico Martín Aramburú upward-facing green arrow
Coach:
Marcelo Loffreda
FB 15 Gavin Henson
RW 14 Hal Luscombe
OC 13 Sonny Parker
IC 12 Tom Shanklin
LW 11 Shane Williams Yellow card
FH 10 Nicky Robinson
SH 9 Dwayne Peel
N8 8 Michael Owen
OF 7 Colin Charvis (c) Yellow card
BF 6 Dafydd Jones
RL 5 Gareth Llewellyn
LL 4 Brent Cockbain
TP 3 Adam Jones
HK 2 Huw Bennett
LP 1 Duncan Jones
Replacements:
HK 16 Mefin Davies upward-facing green arrow
PR 17 Gethin Jenkins upward-facing green arrow
PR 18 Darren Morris upward-facing green arrow
FL 19 Jonathan Thomas upward-facing green arrow
SH 20 Mike Phillips upward-facing green arrow
FH 21 Ceri Sweeney
FB 22 Barry Davies
Coach:
Mike Ruddock

South Africa vs Wales

[edit]

Ahead of the South Africa test, Ruddock sought advice from the Ireland coaching staff who had just played two tests against the Springboks.[23] Wales' team selection was affected by injuries to Hal Luscombe, Sonny Parker (both thumb), Dwayne Peel (ankle) and Michael Owen (back);[24] Luscombe's thumb was put in a splint,[25] and both he and Parker were deemed fit to start the game, while Peel received "intensive treatment" on his ankle and also started.[26] Owen was initially named in the starting XV, but withdrew the day before the game with back spasms and was replaced by Alix Popham.[27] The only other changes to the squad from the second test against Argentina were also in the forwards; Gethin Jenkins replaced Duncan Jones at loosehead prop, Mefin Davies returned in place of Huw Bennett after an illness, and lock Deiniol Jones came in to win his third cap after Brent Cockbain left the touring party for family reasons.[26] Meanwhile, South Africa made two changes to the team from their second test victory over Ireland; prop Faan Rautenbach recovered from injury to replace Eddie Andrews, while Brent Russell replaced the injured Jaque Fourie.[28]

Shane Williams almost scored the opening try for Wales early in the game, but it was ruled out for offside; however, referee Steve Walsh was playing advantage after an earlier South Africa infringement, allowing Gavin Henson to kick the first three points. South Africa responded with a try from captain John Smit, converted by Percy Montgomery, who added a penalty of his own before the midway point in the half. Henson and Montgomery then exchanged penalties, but another South Africa try from Russell extended their lead after Henson had missed touch with a clearing kick. Peel also failed to clear as the first half drew to a close, and Breyton Paulse returned the ball for an eventual seven points, giving the hosts a 27–6 lead at the break. Ten minutes after the interval, Popham was knocked out in a tackle with opposite number Jacques Cronjé and had to be replaced; Wales had already brought on their specialist back row replacement, Jonathan Thomas, in the first half, so hooker Huw Bennett had to fill in as an emergency number 8.[29] After that, South Africa added two more tries through Wayne Julies and Russell's second, though Montgomery failed to convert Julies' score. Peel scored Wales' first try soon after the hour mark, converted by Henson, but South Africa's replacement scrum-half, Bolla Conradie, restored the Springbok lead with help from another Montgomery conversion. Schalk Burger scored South Africa's seventh try to take them past the 50-point mark and a 40-point lead, though Shane Williams scored a late consolation for Wales; the conversion was missed and the match finished with a final score of 53–18, continuing Wales' winless run in South Africa.[30]

Peel put the defeat down to South Africa's ability to win and keep the ball, but he also praised the team's persistence even when trailing by 40 points. Captain Colin Charvis said that the game was lost in the forwards, where the Welsh front five were outplayed and the loose forwards struggled to keep up with their Springbok counterparts.[31] After being taken to hospital, Alix Popham was diagnosed with a concussion but no broken bones; fly-half Ceri Sweeney was praised for his quick action in preventing Popham from swallowing his tongue while unconscious.[32] Popham later flew home with the rest of the squad.[33] After the tour, coach Mike Ruddock said the touring squad should be given a 10-week pre-season, including a month off after the final game.[34]

FB 15 Percy Montgomery
RW 14 Breyton Paulse
OC 13 Marius Joubert
IC 12 Wayne Julies
LW 11 Brent Russell
FH 10 Jaco van der Westhuyzen downward-facing red arrow 70'
SH 9 Fourie du Preez downward-facing red arrow 55'
N8 8 Jacques Cronjé
OF 7 Pedrie Wannenburg downward-facing red arrow 55'
BF 6 Schalk Burger
RL 5 Victor Matfield downward-facing red arrow 62'
LL 4 Quinton Davids downward-facing red arrow 55'
TP 3 Faan Rautenbach downward-facing red arrow 75'
HK 2 John Smit (c)
LP 1 Os du Randt
Replacements:
HK 16 Hanyani Shimange upward-facing green arrow 62'
PR 17 Eddie Andrews upward-facing green arrow 75'
LK 18 Geo Cronjé upward-facing green arrow 55'
FL 19 Gerrie Britz upward-facing green arrow 55'
SH 20 Bolla Conradie upward-facing green arrow 55'
WG 21 Henno Mentz
FH 22 Gaffie du Toit upward-facing green arrow 70'
Coach:
Jake White
FB 15 Gavin Henson
RW 14 Hal Luscombe
OC 13 Sonny Parker
IC 12 Tom Shanklin
LW 11 Shane Williams
FH 10 Nicky Robinson downward-facing red arrow 35'
SH 9 Dwayne Peel
N8 8 Alix Popham downward-facing red arrow 51'
OF 7 Colin Charvis (c)
BF 6 Dafydd Jones
RL 5 Gareth Llewellyn
LL 4 Deiniol Jones downward-facing red arrow 16'
TP 3 Adam Jones
HK 2 Mefin Davies
LP 1 Gethin Jenkins downward-facing red arrow 53'
Replacements:
HK 16 Huw Bennett upward-facing green arrow 51'
PR 17 Duncan Jones upward-facing green arrow 53'
PR 18 Darren Morris
FL 19 Jonathan Thomas upward-facing green arrow 16'
SH 20 Mike Phillips
FH 21 Ceri Sweeney upward-facing green arrow 35'
FB 22 Rhys Williams
Coach:
Mike Ruddock

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Ruddock lands Wales job". BBC Sport. 11 March 2004. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  2. ^ "Williams ends Test career". BBC Sport. 5 May 2004. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  3. ^ "Sidoli doubt for Wales tour". BBC Sport. 14 April 2004. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
  4. ^ "Wales turn to youth". BBC Sport. 17 May 2004. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  5. ^ "Selley gains Wales call". BBC Sport. 19 May 2004. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  6. ^ "Prop Thomas out of Wales tour". BBC Sport. 26 May 2004. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  7. ^ "Thomas out of second Test". BBC Sport. 14 June 2004. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
  8. ^ "Wales' Summer Touring Squad". Welsh Rugby Union. 17 May 2004. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
  9. ^ "Pumas name squad for Wales". BBC Sport. 17 May 2004. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  10. ^ "Pichot to miss Wales dates". BBC Sport. 2 June 2004. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
  11. ^ "South Africa turn to White". BBC Sport. 10 February 2004. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  12. ^ "Springboks name mixed squad". BBC Sport. 16 May 2004. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
  13. ^ "Boks recall Montgomery". BBC Sport. 16 May 2004. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
  14. ^ "Wales 42-0 Barbarians". BBC Sport. 26 May 2004. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
  15. ^ "Ruddock sweats on Thomas". BBC Sport. 26 May 2004. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
  16. ^ "Forster set for first cap". BBC Sport. 9 June 2004. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
  17. ^ "Pichot to miss Wales dates". BBC Sport. 2 June 2004. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
  18. ^ "Longo leads Pumas". BBC Sport. 10 June 2004. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
  19. ^ "Argentina 50-44 Wales". BBC Sport. 12 June 2004. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
  20. ^ "Argentina v Wales". BBC Sport. 17 June 2004. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  21. ^ "Argentina 20-35 Wales". BBC Sport. 19 June 2004. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
  22. ^ "Shane blows Pumas and fans away". Wales Online. Media Wales. 21 June 2004. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
  23. ^ "Wales seek Irish help". BBC Sport. 20 June 2004. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
  24. ^ "Ruddock wary of Montgomery". BBC Sport. 21 June 2004. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
  25. ^ "Wales sweat over Owen". BBC Sport. 22 June 2004. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
  26. ^ a b "Wales shuffle pack". BBC Sport. 23 June 2004. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
  27. ^ "Charvis wants Wales tough". BBC Sport. 25 June 2004. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
  28. ^ "Boks make two changes". BBC Sport. 22 June 2004. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
  29. ^ Lloyd, Matt (27 June 2004). "Boks canter free of tired Wales". The Guardian. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
  30. ^ "South Africa 53-18 Wales". BBC Sport. 26 June 2004. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
  31. ^ "Peel feels Pretoria pain". BBC Sport. 26 June 2004. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
  32. ^ "Popham injury not serious". BBC Sport. 26 June 2004. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
  33. ^ "Popham on the mend". BBC Sport. 29 June 2004. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
  34. ^ "Wales stars promised rest". BBC Sport. 28 June 2004. Retrieved 22 December 2023.