Harris reprieve after nightmare start

The media - and, therefore, the public - had to make do with observations from others since Harris failed to appear to give his own verdict on what had been the most hyped debut in Welsh rugby.

An emissary was dispatched from one stadium bowel to another with the four-word comment: 'I am hugely disappointed.'

This represented an even bigger understatement from someone who, apart from general failings in tactical awareness and execution, gave away two tries as a result of two hapless and hopeless kicks. One was charged down, the other directed down the throat of an opponent.

Argentina scrum half Agustin Pichot said: 'We did not target him but we saw him as a weak link. We talked specifically about pressuring him when kicking. You don't have to be a scientist. One of the things rugby league players don't do is kick the ball. They are not used to it.'

Perhaps the most cruel, though incisive, comment came from opposite number Felipe Contepomi, who scored 25 of his country's 30 points and was man of the match.

'Sometimes it would seem like he was lost and he would just throw out a long pass,' said Contepomi with no hint of malice.

There was a more detailed analysis from Pichot, whose articulation matches his ability. He said: 'At some stage in international rugby the game runs at a speed where it becomes a mind thing.

'Maybe Iestyn is a great player but we dominated in the strategy department. Sometimes you need to stop, think, do this and do that. I think that is very difficult for someone who has not been running the game week in and week out. Having watched league players play union in this country, it is obvious they are not going to be as ready to manage the game as a great Wales stand off like Neil Jenkins. Or how he used to.'

Ouch. One solution may be to give Harris more responsibility, not less. With Stephen Jones assuming many stand off duties on Saturday, there was an attempt to give Harris an armchair ride. Consequently, he played as if in an armchair, lacking all sense of urgency, attempting nothing daring.

Henry used to walk on water. Now he is stuck in the mud and, seemingly, stuck with a hopelessly inept pack, the great Scott Quinnell apart.

'I think we have selected the best people,' said Henry. 'There are not too many options there. Not too many changes we can make.'

It is his highly-paid job to find some. And quickly.