Warren Gatland insists Wales will enter the World Cup in New Zealand better placed than ever before after recording a 28-13 victory of Argentina at the Millennium Stadium.

Gatland names his final 30-man World Cup squad on Monday with Sam Warburton set to be named skipper in the absence of Matthew Rees.

Wales jet out to New Zealand on August 30 and Gatland reckons they can take plenty of confidence and momentum into their opening clash with reigning champions South Africa on September 11.

"We're pleased with the result, we made a couple of changes and it was tough for the guys coming in," said Gatland.

"We got the win relatively comfortably and can take a lot from our three performances over the past weeks.

"We're in good shape physically and have won five of our last seven games. We can take a lot confidence on that plane on August 30.

"It's the best start Wales have had going into a World Cup which gives us momentum and confidence - we have to believe."

Wales were struck by another injury blow ahead of the match with flyhalf Stephen Jones, who would have become Wales' all-time most capped player if called on from the replacements bench, withdrawing with a calf injury.

The Dragons have already lost Morgan Stoddart, Gavin Henson and regular captain Matthew Rees to injury while Gatland has already conceded Gethin Jenkins, who has not played since January, will miss the World Cup opener with the Springboks.

Veteran flyhalf Jones has now missed the entire pre-World Cup programme and may be undercooked when Wales kick-off their assault on the title in less than three weeks.

Gatland said: "Stephen had a scan Friday night after feeling it in training. It was just a couple of fibres that weren't fully right and there are no major concerns.

"But it's going to be a tough call, he's unfortunately not had an opportunity in the last three games. But there's a long way to go and plenty of training sessions between now and South Africa.

"Gethin Jenkins will see a specialist. It's been quite frustrating, he did everything in Poland [where Wales held a training camp], trained four or five times a day, did the cryotherapy and scrummaged. But he came back, had a few days off and felt it go again just jogging around."

But Wales should be boosted by the return to training of Ryan Jones and Rhys Priestland, while there are no concerns over Jamie Roberts or Richard Hibbard who both left the Millennium Stadium turf with injuries.

Argentina take on Worcester on Tuesday before returning to South America and then jetting to New Zealand to take on England in their opening World Cup encounter.

Argentina captain Felipe Contepomi said: "This was our first and last Test match. The result wasn't the most important thing.

"But we have to learn quickly because the World Cup is just around the corner. We surprised everybody with our third-placed finish at the last World Cup. It won't be a big shock if we do it again although not many people expect us to do well this time.

"But we definitely have the players and if we click any thing can happen."

After gaining avenge for their opening defeat to England at Twickenham on home soil last weekend, Wales backed it up against the Pumas on Saturday.

Argentina were punished for their failure to turn pressure into points when Wales stuck with two quick-fire tries through Andy Powell and Alun Wyn Jones at the end of the first-half with James Hook converting both.

Hook stretched Wales' lead with a succession of second-half penalties before George North crashed over for his seventh try in nine games for Wales.

Argentina grabbed a late consolation through Martin Scelzo which Felipe Contepomi converted but the result was already beyond doubt and Hook had the final say with another penalty.

AFP