DANNY Wilson has told his Wales Under-20s players they must avoid being clawed by the Baby Pumas if they are to achieve their goal of reaching the semi-finals of the Junior World Championship.
Argentina's youngsters are eyeing a major silverware challenge, having recently handed reigning world champions South Africa a 2-1 series defeat.
Samoa and Scotland are also in a pool that threatens to be hugely physical. Wales defeated Argentina a year ago to finish third in the tournament, but Wilson believes they will be the side to beat in Pool C when the 2013 event starts next week.
"Argentina have just come off the back of two wins over South Africa, who are a very good side," said Wilson.
"So they are probably favourites in the pool.
"We beat them last year, but they've retained a significant number their players, while we've lost a fair few.
"It's going to be a physical pool, with Scotland and Samoa in there as well.
"Our goal is to get through to the semi-finals."
Wales know if they are to finish in the top four again they will need to front up at forward. Last year, they had a rock-solid platform set in place by the all-Scarlets front row of Rob Evans, Kirby Myhill and Samson Lee, but those three are too old to figure this time.
Nonetheless, Ellis Jenkins's pack still contains a number of promising players, including a several emerging Ospreys in the front five, and Wilson is optimistic they will give a good account of themselves.
He said: "We're pleased with the progress we've made as a group of forwards.
"In the Six Nations, we came up against one of the best packs in under-20s rugby in England.
"We came unstuck at a couple of driving line-outs, with a lack of discipline costing us, but elsewhere we matched them. We'll be going into this competition looking to dominate sides up front because that will give us the platform to allow our exciting backs to play."
Those exciting backs include the likes of Rhodri Williams, Sam Davies, Jack Dixon and Jordan Williams, four players who are being tipped to go far in the game.
The son of former Swansea No. 9 Alan Williams, Rhodri Williams has just completed an outstanding campaign for Llanelli in the Welsh Premiership, lit up by a number of superb tries.
"We had an excellent scrum-half in Tom Habberfield last year and Rhodri is out of the same mould," said Wilson.
"One of the things that set Tom apart was his ability to win the ball in the air. He could do that better than almost any player I've seen.
"And in the kicking battles he was superb, both in terms of receiving the ball and kicking it himself. He's played on the wing for the Ospreys and when they kick off their nine, he goes and wins the ball. He was a very good leader for us.
"Rhodri is the same in that respect, and also sees himself as a running threat. He's proved as much in the Premiership this year with some great tries.
"We in Wales are fortunate we have those two and others at nine. We're well blessed in that position."
Williams is another talent from out west, a player who has class and flair. "He is someone with a lot to offer," said Wilson. "He has had exposure at ten to help him develop his leadership skills, but he can also play at 15.
"If he was to play regional rugby tomorrow it would probably be at full-back.
"But we'll see how he develops. There is a lot of flexibility over him, but what is not in doubt is his talent. He is a good player."
But having quality behind takes you only so far. As Wilson said, for Wales to prosper at this World Cup their forwards need to perform, and particularly against Argentina.
