Wales hooker Elliot Dee is keen to make the most of a third consecutive start by helping his side to a series win over Argentina.
Wayne Pivac has made seven changes to the team that drew 20-20 with The Pumas last week as props Gareth Thomas and Leon Brown join Dee in the front row and Josh Turnbull comes into the pack for the injured Aaron Wainwright with Ross Moriarty moving to No.8.
It’s all change at half-back as Jarrod Evans and Tomos Williams start with Nick Tompkins partnering captain Jonathan Davies in midfield and Tom Rogers coming onto the wing.
Dee will win his 40th cap against The Pumas on Saturday but despite featuring at two Rugby World Cups, it will only be his tenth start having had to settle for a spot on the bench behind British and Irish Lion Ken Owens.
But with Owens in South Africa, Dee is enjoying a run in the side and is determined to help Pivac’s men overcome the disappointment of last week’s draw with Evans unable to convert a last-minute penalty.
“There was definitely some frustration in the changing room,” said the 27-year-old on the official WRU website.
“We knew we left a few points out there, it was a game we could have done a lot better in, and it was a game we could have won.
“It was a good battle and Argentina were physical up front.
“They are a big, physical bunch who run on a lot of emotion. It’s great to play against the best in the world. You want to test yourself.
“A series win would be massive after a lot of hard work. It’s been a long tough season and a win would cap it off.”
Dee admits he prefers starting to his usual role as a finisher and hopes to show off his value as a ball player.
Wales draw with 14-man Argentina after comeback
“I am massively enjoying it. It’s nice to be out there starting after being behind Ken in the Six Nations and for a number of years,” he said.
“It’s a different role in the team. You’d be lying if you said you didn’t want to be the starter every game.
“I’ve got into that role of adding impact off the bench and this is a different role, but it’s one I am enjoying.
“We are just raring to go for the weekend to get some reward for the hard work of the last 12 months.
“There is massive competition for the two jersey in Wales with some really good players.
“I am not the biggest or most gifted athlete in the bunch, but maybe my point of difference is being a bit of a ball player.”
Argentina head into the second encounter at the Principality Stadium having come away with a share of the spoils last time out despite having full-back Juan Cruz Mallia sent off inside half an hour.
The Champions Cup winner with Toulouse is suspended with Santiago Carreras moving from the wing to replace him.
Bautista Delguy comes into the team on the wing with Matias Moroni replacing Santiago Cordero on the other flank and Santiago Chocobares starting in midfield
Argentina head coach Mario Ledesma said: “I was disappointed with the first match result but at the same time it was an awesome effort with 14 men for a long time.
“As a result it was not that bad and we have been working to this next game. Since we started the tour we have been saying that every day is important, because of this issue of being apart for so long.
“I think we have got better and we will surely see a better game this weekend.”
TEAMS
Wales: 15. Hallam Amos, 14. Owen Lane, 13. Nick Tompkins, 12. Jonathan Davies (capt), 11.Tom Rogers, 10. Jarrod Evans, 9. Tomos Williams; 1. Gareth Thomas, 2. Elliot Dee, 3. Leon Brown, 4. Ben Carter, 5. Will Rowlands, 6. Josh Turnbull, 7. James Botham, 8.Ross Moriarty
Replacements: 16. Sam Parry, 17. Rhodri Jones, 18. Dillon Lewis, 19. Matthew Screech, 20. Taine Basham, 21. Kieran Hardy, 22. Callum Sheedy, 23. Willis Halaholo
Argentina: 15. Santiago Carreras, 14. Bautista Delguy, 13. Santiago Chocobares, 12. Jeronimo de la Fuente, 11. Matias Moroni, 10. Nicolas Sanchez, 9. Tomas Cubelli; 1. Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, 2. Julian Montoya (capt), 3. Francisco Gomez Kodela, 4. Guido Petti, 5. Marcos Kremer, 6. Pablo Matera, 7. Facundo Isa, 8. Rodrigo Bruni
Replacements: 16. Facundo Bosch, 17. Facundo Gigena, 18. Santiago Medrano, 19. Tomas Lavanini, 20. Matias Alemanno, 21. Felipe Ezcurra, 22. Domingo Miotti, 23. Juan Imhoff
