Argentina coach Santiago Phelan has kept faith with the starting XV that was hammered by the All Blacks last week for Saturday's Rugby Championship showdown with Australia.
There are changes to the bench however as loose forward Leonardo Senatore replaces Tomas Vallejos while Nicolas Sanchez comes into the matchday 22 for injured full-back Martin Rodriguez.
It's been 15 years since Argentina beat Australia - that was 1997 in Buenos Aires. After a long wait, the Pumas are the favorites on Saturday to do it again in the eastern city of Rosario .
Australia has limped into town without 15 injured players, most of them regular starters, and the confidence of the rest of them in tatters after last weekend's 31-8 mauling in South Africa.
The Pumas are winless after five matches, but they are always difficult to beat at home where they take pride in playing well in front of feverish support. Following a draw with the Springboks in August, a victory against the Wallabies would make the Pumas' tournament debut a success - better than expected against rugby's top three ranked teams.
Argentina: 15 Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino, 14 Gonzalo Camacho, 13 Marcelo Bosch, 12 Santiago Fernandez, 11 Horacio Agulla, 10 Juan Martin Hernandez, 9 Martin Landajo, 8 Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe (c), 7 Juan Manuel Leguizamon, 6 Julio Farias Cabello, 5 Patricio Albacete, 4 Manuel Carizza, 3 Juan Figallo, 2 Eusebio Guinazu, 1 Rodrigo Roncero.
Replacements: 16 Agustin Creevy, 17 Juan Pablo Orlandi, 18 Leonardo Senatore, 19 Tomas Leonardi, 20 Nicolas Vergallo, 21 Nicolás Sánchez, 22 Juan Imhoff.
Date: Saturday, October 6
Kick-off: 20:10 (00:10 BST, 23:10 GMT)
Venue: Estadio Gigante de Arroyito, Rosario
Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Jaco Peyper (South Africa), Pascal Gauzere (France)
Television match official: Francisco Pastrana (Argentina)
Comments
donguiyo says...
the big news is that legend Rodrigo Roncero will retire after this game....an icon and an amazing prop.
Posted 00:41 05th October 2012
Kawasakifreak says...
Hoping the Pumas win this weekend - it would be a wonderful & fitting finale to their first Championship year.
Good luck Pumas !!
Posted 23:39 04th October 2012