Argentian 20 Wales 35

Wing Shane Williams was the hero of the hour as Wales levelled the series with Argentina at Velez Sarsfeld in Buenos Aires.

In the land of tango Williams produced a moment of sheer magic to help inspire Wales to a famous victory. That score, after 15 minutes, was Williams' second, but epitomised the way Wales wanted play.

The diminutive Neath-Swansea Ospreys star shimmied and shuffled his way through a bewildered Pumas defence for a memorable touchdown. And he was quick to praise the service of those at his side.

"The forwards fronted up, particularly the front row, and I had a great service from that platform and the backs inside me," said Williams.

Wales coach Mike Ruddock was delighted to claim the victory, and equally pleased Williams had pin-pointed the team effort.

Ruddock said: "Shane was right to acknowledge the efforts of the forwards. We had put individuals and the squad under pressure during the week, and the real difference between the first Test and the second was our attitude.

"We showed mental toughness to go out there and put our game plan fully into place, and in the second half, when Argentina fought back, we again pulled ourselves back from the brink and ensured they couldn't overhaul us."

Williams' hat trick was part of a dream start for Wales.

They pinned the Pumas into their own 22 from the kick-off, and unlike in the previous weekend's 50-44 defeat at Tucuman, Wales this time provided the killer instinct in their performance.

Ruddock had questioned referee Donal Courtney's approach to the tackle area in the week of the first Test six-tries-to-five defeat. Ruddock provided video evidence to back up his view that Argentina were often guilty for killing the ball and stifling Welsh attacks.

It can only be assumed Ruddock's approach to the Irishman worked because he gave a succession of penalties to the visitors in the opening quarter, which helped provide Wales with the platform for success.

Welsh possession was, as Ruddock had hoped, far cleaner and quicker on this occasion, and the promise of the backline was soon to deliver.

Full back Gavin Henson kicked his first penalty after seven minutes, punishing Pumas' second- row forward Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe for offside.

Four minutes later Argentina fumbled a lineout, allowing Wales to launch a sweeping attack which brought the game's first try.

Welsh locks Brent Cockbain and Gareth Llewellyn set the move in motion, and skipper Colin Charvis drove into the heart of the home pack to help build the momentum.

And when the ball emerged outstanding centre Tom Shanklin and Sonny Parker combined before the latter set Williams free on an unimpeded dash to the line, and Henson converted.

Four minutes later Williams added his second with that moment of sheer magic, which Henson again converted.

The full back then added a penalty, and after 38 minutes Williams was again to profit from some superb Welsh approach play.

Number eight Michael Owen broke from the back of a scrum, found support from the hard-working Charvis, and then half-backs Dwayne Peel and Nicky Robinson combined to send the wing over.

The Pumas' problems had been exacerbated by losing wing Jos Maria Nunez Piossek after eight minutes, centre Jos Orango after 24 and star fly-half Felipe Contepomi after 39.

To add to their woes the home side saw Lobbe sin-binned after 30 minutes as Courtney lost patience with their persistent offside.

Wales went into the second half 25-0 ahead, but found themselves on the rack from the restart.

Skipper Charvis was sin-binned two minutes after the break for a professional foul, and then it was Wales' turn to be under pressure.

The Pumas were clearly stung by Wales' outstanding dominance and clinical finishing in the opening period, and with Charvis out of the fray, launched a ferocious series of attacks to give them hope.

Full back Hernan Senillosa punished Charvis' indiscretion with a penalty, and three minutes later replacement Federico Martin Aramburu claimed the Pumas' first try, converted by Senillosa.

Argentina kept up the pressure and were rewarded when prop Omar Hassan crashed over.

But Wales' nerves were soon to settle as Henson kicked a penalty.

And in the 68th minute the visitors finished off their hosts' brave fightback with another outstanding score.

Hooker Mefin Davies launched the counter-attack, and in turn Parker, Shanklin and Shane Williams took the tackles and timed their passes to perfection for fly-half Robinson to go over for his first Welsh try.

Henson converted and Argentina got the consolation of a try from wing Lucas Borges deep into extra time. That happened after Williams was sin-binned for a professional foul, but that indiscretion will soon be forgotten with Williams, the star of the show, now with 18 Welsh tries to his name.

Ruddock also had words of encouragement for under-fire skipper Colin Charvis, who became embroiled in a row with the Welsh Rugby Union over payments for the additional duties that go with captaincy prior to the first Test.

Ruddock said: "Colin led by example out on the field and his fellow players followed that example, particularly in the first half.

"Last week the Argentine back row dominated in the tackle area, and this time we wanted to drag them in and make sure that our attack could operate without that back row interfering.

"The forwards must take their share of the praise for such a performance, and we also had players like centre Sonny Parker making quick breaks to give Shane his chances."

Wales travel to South Africa today and face the Springboks in Pretoria on Saturday, with Ruddock concerned about the effect such a schedule will have.

"We don't want to make our excuses before we start, and we want to test ourselves against the best," said Ruddock. "But it is going to be difficult with an overnight flight and then to go straight into preparation for a game to be played at altitude."