WALES won’t be getting carried away but this was a much needed and convincing victory to get their show back on the road after last week’s numbing 24-15 defeat to South Africa in Cardiff.

Warren Gatland’s men played some sparkling rugby at times, Argentina unable to live with them when they upped the tempo and played at pace.

It was a record win over the Pumas for Wales, eclipsing the previous high, a 33-16 triumph over the South Americans in November 2009 – incidentally the last time they’d succeeded in winning an autumn series game.

Four years of pain – which included ten defeats and a draw – were wiped out in an encouraging performance but one against the Rugby Championship strugglers who have fallen spectacularly from grace in the space of just a year.

Just 12 months ago, Argentina thumped Grand Slam champions Wales 26-12 at the Millennium Stadium, this weekend’s team a pale imitation of their fiery warriors that day.

For Wales, there many things to applaud.

It was pleasing to see scrum-half Mike Phillips return to such good form, while Newport Gwent Dragons number eight Toby Faletau was superb, scoring a stunning try to cap a wonderful day for him.

Fly-half Dan Biggar made an impression at No 10 and could be in the driving seat to usurp Rhys Priestland as Wales’ first choice outside-half.

He was assured in an accomplished performance although there were a few glaring errors which blotted his copybook.

It was an occasion loosehead prop Gethin Jenkins will never forget as he won his 100th cap for Wales and he put in a trademark fine performance in open play as well as a good shift in the tight.

At the opposite end of the spectrum, 20-year-old centre Cory Allen fitted in like a glove on his debut although things didn’t end as he would have liked, his first Test marred by a dislocated shoulder that rules him out of the Tonga and Australia clashes to come.

There was also a first cap for promising Scarlets tighthead Samson Lee who came on late on for regional teammate Rhodri Jones who enjoyed a fine display, doing well in the scrum and excelling in open play.

With Adam Jones injured and not going to be around forever, it was good to see for Wales fans.

Hooker Richard Hibbard seems to get better with every game and he and Phillips pushed Faletau hard for the man of the man of the match award, the beefy Ospreys tough guy putting in some crunching tackles.

Wing George North was far more impressive than he was against South Africa as was excellent centre Scott Williams who will be looking to overcome ligament damage to a toe to face the Wallabies on November 30, Australia impressive in their 32-15 demolition of Ireland in Dublin after battering Ireland in Rome last weekend.

The reshuffled back row looked finely balanced with Justin Tipuric coming in on the openside, captain Sam Warburton shifting to the blindside to replace the injured Dan Lydiate (ankle) and the majestic Faletau excelling at number eight.

Wales dominated from the off and full-back Leigh Halfpenny got them off to a 3-0 start with a penalty.

The Six Nations player of the season and the British and Irish Lions’ man of the series during their recent 2-1 triumph over Australia had another superb day with the boot, bagging 20 points after slotting over eight place kicks from nine with four penalties and converting all four Wales tries.

Scrum-half Phillips got Wales’ opening touchdown, having the gas to score a remarkable interception try from 70 metres, with a lovely dummy thrown in, after a fumble by Pumas No 10 Nicolas Sanchez who was eyeing a thunderous hit Hibbard was lining up on him.

Halfpenny’s second penalty put Wales 13-0 up before the second try involved the No 9 again, his deft inside pass from quality lineout possession gleaned by lock Alun Wyn Jones finding huge wing North who tore through the Argentina defence to score in the 23rd minute which was converted.

Argentina rarely threatened, their only points in the first half coming from Sanchez’s penalty, cancelled out by Halfpenny who put Wales 23-3 up on the stroke of half-time.

Wales put together a scorching move in the opening seconds of the second 40 minutes when Biggar and Scott Williams’ adventure from behind their own try-line unleashed North who should have done far better when he chose contact instead of exploiting a marvellous break out by not looking to pass earlier.

All the hosts had to show for what should have been a seven-pointer was another Halfpenny penalty.

But the crowd were treated to another try out of the top draw when Faletau crossed for their third in the 56th minute after some stunning play by the backs, Scarlets wing Liam Williams finding his man with a superb inside pass.

Replacement hooker Ken Owens got Wales’ final try, and his first Test touchdown, after Wales smashed through the Pumas’ forwards from a driving lineout, a sweet score as Argentina are past masters at this art of scoring.

Halfpenny’s assured conversion bring an end to the scoring in the 68th minute.

Wales: Leigh Halfpenny; George North, Cory Allen (Ashley Beck 72), Scott Williams, Liam Williams; Dan Biggar (James Hook 68), Mike Phillips (Lloyd Williams 68) ; Gethin Jenkins (Paul James 68), Richard Hibbard (Ken Owens 62), Rhodri Jones (Samson Lee 68), Bradley Davies (Luke Charteris 56), Alun-Wyn Jones, Sam Warburton (capt), Justin Tipuric , Toby Faletau (Ryan Jones 74).

Wales scorers: Tries – Mike Phillips, George North, Toby Faletau, Ken Owens, Penalties – Leigh Halfpenny (4), Conversions – Halfpenny (4).

Argentina: Joaquin Tuculet (Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino h-t); Horacio Agulla, Marcelo Bosch, Santiago Fernandez (Gabriel Ascarate 59), Santiago Cordero; Nicolas Sanchez, Martin Landajo (Tomas Cubelli 68; Marcos Ayerza (Nahuel Lobo 71), Eusebio Guinazu (Santiago Iglesias Valdes 67), Maximilano Busto (Matias Diaz 74) , Manuel Carizza (Tomas Lavanini 67), Patricio Albacete, Pablo Matera (Leonardo Senatore 56) Juan Farias Cabello, Juan Manuel Leguizamon (capt).

Argentina scorers: Penalties – Nicolas Sanchez (2).

Referee: John Lacey (Ireland)

Attendance: 46, 253