On the training pitch and at the coffee machine: Wales’ elder statesmen have chosen some typical battlegrounds – and others less familiar – to test the mettle of their newer breed.
Today, though, two generations have one collective aim in Cardiff: prevent this autumn campaign sliding further towards disaster.
Following a heavy defeat by New Zealand, respite must wait. Argentina, fresh from victory at Twickenham, are eyeing a second successive victory at the Principality.
Louis Rees-Zammit (R) is set to play at full-back for the first time for Wales on Saturday
‘They’re a top top team,’ wing Alex Cuthbert said. ‘We’re very aware of their strengths. But for us, it’s just making sure we are better than last week.’
For this brutal challenge, Wayne Pivac has shuffled his pack in search of a better blend of youth and experience.
In the back row, Dan Lydiate is reunited with fellow warhorses Taulupe Faletau and captain Justin Tipuric.
Team-mate Alex Cuthbert has tipped Rees-Zammit to thrive in his new role against Argentina
In the back three, Cuthbert returns from injury alongside 22-year-old Rio Dyer, who made a scoring debut last week, and Louis Rees-Zammit, who makes a first international appearance at full-back.
‘I have to rip Zam and those boys quite a bit, as I’m quite a bit older,’ Cuthbert, 32, joked this week. ‘I ask them to bring me coffee. They refuse obviously.’
In the second row, meanwhile, Alun Wyn Jones is out of the 23 altogether. The end? Not according to Pivac. But a change in scenery, certainly. For once, the world’s most-capped player has been tasked with preparing his team-mates. Jones hasn’t give them an easy ride.
‘You wouldn’t expect anything less from Al. No matter what he does, he’s the ultra-professional,’ Tipuric said. ‘I can’t speak highly enough about what he does for me personally and for the team.’ Today, though, they must do without him against Michael Cheika’s physical and unchanged side.
Pivac has again suggested that Wales will build towards their best over the autumn. Cuthbert, too, insisted they are ‘always a team that gets better’ over the season.
Wayne Pivac is looking for his Wales side to bounce back from their heavy loss to New Zealand
But now would be a decent time to hit their stride. Another defeat, with Georgia and Australia to come, and people will fear the worst. For this series, the Six Nations and next year’s World Cup.
It is with one eye on next year’s showpiece that Pivac has picked his team. And this week, the World Cup has been on Welsh lips.
There was chatter about Rob Page’s squad for Qatar, and who England coach Gareth Southgate might pick ahead of their crunch meeting with Wales. ‘The boys are going to be cheering on the football team big time,’ Tipuric said.
Alun Wyn Jones has been left out of Wales’ 23-man squad for Saturday’s match in Cardiff
Then, at Thursday’s press conference, plenty of questions about whether the captain (33 years old), Lydiate (34), Jones (37), Ken Owens (35), Cuthbert (32) and Co can all make it to France next year.
‘I probably feel better physically and mentally than I have in many years,’ Cuthbert said. ‘I feel like I’m getting better as a player. So hopefully now, with young players coming through, I can keep my head and produce performances towards my target.’
The back three is one area where Wales are stacked with talent. With George North in the centre and Liam Williams, Leigh Halfpenny and Josh Adams all missing, Cuthbert is the senior citizen alongside Dyer (22) and Rees-Zammit (21).
Emiliano Boffelli will line up opposite Cuthbert after helping Argentina beat England last week
‘It’s good to be surrounded by those boys. It reminds me of when I was young and came into the squad,’ Cuthbert said. ‘They are complete sponges… I’m trying to feed in as much as I can for them, but I’m still getting a lot from them.’
For all of Argentina’s power up front, the back three battle could prove pivotal. Cuthbert will line up opposite Emiliano Boffelli, who kicked 20 points against England and scored a lovely set-piece try. ‘Doesn’t miss much, does he?’ Cuthbert said. ‘So we know that discipline is going to be key.’
But with Rees-Zammit at full-back, Wales possess a ‘deadly’ weapon of their own.
‘You wouldn’t want to click too loosely to him, would you?’ Cuthbert said.
‘He’s worked incredibly hard the last couple of years… we do a lot of extras together in training.’
Cuthbert added: ‘There is a big, big age gap between us all but we can help each other out and we do.’
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