All Blacks v Argentina: Los Pumas at full-tilt as ex-Crusaders star captains against Scott Robertson’s men
Argentina back-row Pablo Matera.
Argentina head coach Felipe Contepomi has named a strong matchday squad for their Rugby Championship opener against New Zealand in Wellington on Saturday.
There are seven changes in all to the side which claimed a 79-5 victory over Uruguay in Maldonado last month while star flanker Pablo Matera has been appointed as the team’s captain.
Takes over captaincy from Marcos Kremer
The 31-year-old is no stranger to the leadership role as he skippered the team in the past and he takes over the captaincy from fellow flanker Marcos Kremer, who joins him in the back-row alongside Juan Martin Gonzalez, who packs down at number eight.
The rest of Los Pumas‘ pack are the same players who did duty against Uruguay with Pedro Rubiolo and Franco Molina the starting locks while Ignacio Ruiz continues at hooker with Eduardo Bello and Thomas Gallo the two props.
Meanwhile, there are several alterations to the backline who did duty against Los Teros with Juan Cruz Mallia starting at full-back while Mateo Carreras and Matias Moroni get the nod on the wings.
Santiago Chocobares and Lucio Cinti form the centre combination in Wellington.
The run-on side is completed by Santiago Carreras and Gonzalo Bertranou, who are the starting half-backs.
There is plenty of experience amongst the forward replacements with veterans Agustin Creevy (hooker) and Tomas Lavanini (second-row) joined by front-row duo Mayco Vivas and Joel Sclavi as well as uncapped utility forward Efrain Elias and Joaquin Oviedo (bak-row) in a six/two forwards/backs split.
Meanwhile, Lautaro Bazan Velez and Tomas Albornoz offer backline cover.
Los Pumas team to face All Blacks
Argentina: 15 Juan Cruz Mallia, 14 Matias Moroni, 13 Lucio Cinti, 12 Santiago Chocobares, 11 Mateo Carreras, 10 Santiago Carreras, 9 Gonzalo Bertranou, 8 Juan Martin Gonzalez, 7 Marcos Kremer, 6 Pablo Matera (c), 5 Pedro Rubiolo, 4 Franco Molina, 3 Eduardo Bello, 2 Ignacio Ruiz, 1 Thomas Gallo
Replacements: 16 Agustin Creevy, 17 Mayco Vivas, 18 Joel Sclavi, 19 Efrain Elias, 20 Tomas Lavanini, 21 Joaquin Oviedo, 22 Lautaro Bazan Velez, 23 Tomas Albornoz
Date: Saturday, August 10
Venue: Sky Stadium, Wellington
Kick-off: 19:05 local (08:05 BST, 07:05 GMT)
Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
Assistant Referees: Nic Berry (Australia), Andrea Piardi (Italy)
TMO: Brett Cronan (Australia)
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