Rhys Carre is proving to be hard to stop with ball in hand but the try-scoring prop believes Wales took a step back in defeat by Argentina.

Steve Tandy’s men were beaten 35-21 by the Pumas in San Juan in round two of the Nations Championship.

Argentina were convincing winners as they responded to a defeat by Scotland, while Wales’ mini revival was ended after Test wins against Italy and Fiji either side of a success against the Barbarians.

“Argentina had a better performance than they did last week and we probably took a step back compared to Fiji, so it was ultimately disappointing,” said loose-head prop Carre.

“We are still building and have produced some good performances lately, with three in a row before this, so while it is a setback we knew it was going to be a long journey.

“Argentina are a great team and if you aren’t at 100% then they are probably going to get the best of you.”

Wales struck first through captain and hooker Dewi Lake from a driving line-out and, after a pair of Pumas tries, levelled thanks to Carre’s carrying prowess.

The Saracens prop made it five tries in six Tests when he barged over from the second phase of a quick tap in the 22.

Carre scored a sensational try in Dublin from distance but has proved to be a weapon for the Welsh attack with training ground moves off penalties, scoring against France and Scotland in that fashion in the Six Nations.

“A lot of credit should be given to [attack coach] Matt Sherratt for putting me in the positions,” said Carre, a regular under Tandy after being frozen out by Warren Gatland.

“I’m just glad that I can try to do what I can for the team – we’ve run the move a few times and scored off it, so I am not complaining.”

After the demands of travelling from Cardiff to San Juan to face Argentina, Wales’ squad move on to Durban to face South Africa on Saturday, 18 July (16:40 BST).

“The travel is what it is, we are not going to use it as an excuse,” said Carre. “They are the best team in the world and we promise to give it everything that we’ve got and see what happens.”