Argentina revert back to winning All Blacks’ formula for Australia showdown
Felipe Contepomi reverted has back to a matchday 23 that closely resembles the team that defeated the All Blacks.
Argentina head coach Felipe Contepomi has reverted back to a matchday 23 that closely resembles the team that defeated the All Blacks for the Rugby Championship clash against Australia.
In fact, the Los Pumas starting XV reflects just three changes to the team that downed the All Blacks in the opening match with one alternation to the pack and two in the forwards.
Los Pumas team v Wallabies
The big change in the backline to face Australia sees Santiago Cordero replace Matias Moroni on the wing forming a threatening back-three division that includes the brilliant Mateo Carreras and Toulouse star Juan Cruz Mallia.
Once again, Santiago Chocobares and Lucio Cinti start in the midfield while Gonzalo Bertranou and Santiago Carreras continue their halfback pairing.
Marcos Kremer was controversially moved into the second row for the clash at Eden Park but returns to the loose trio that dominated the All Blacks in Argentina’s tournament opener. He combines with fellow flanker Pablo Matera and number eight Juan Martin Gonzalez.
This means that the second row from the first game of the competition returns as Franco Molina and Pedro Rubiolo both start. The alterations in the pack compared to the one that defeated the All Blacks occur in the front row with the excellent Julian Montoya starting at hooker and captaining the side while Joel Sclavi is named at tighthead prop. Thomas Gallo completes the team as the starting loosehead prop.
Los Pumas have been further bolstered on the bench as Agustin Creevy returns to the team after missing the second match against New Zealand and provides front row cover with Mayco Vivas and Eduardo Bello.
There is a welcomed return to the international stage for experienced lock Guido Petti in the 6-2 split in favour of the forwards with Tomas Lavanini and Santiago Grondona further grunt.
Lautaro Bazan Velez and Tomas Albornoz complete the team.
Argentina team v Australia
Argentina: 15 Juan Cruz Mallia, 14 Santiago Cordero, 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, 5 Pedro Rubiolo, 4 Franco Molina, 3 Joel Sclavi, 2 Julian Montoya, 1 Thomas Gallo
Replacements: 16 Agustin Creevy, 17 Mayco Vivas, 18 Eduardo Bello, 19 Guido Petti, 20 Tomas Lavanini, 21 Joaquin Oviedo, 22 Lautaro Bazan Velez, 23 Tomas Albornoz
Date: Saturday, 31 August
Venue: Estadio Jorge Luis Hirschi, Buenos Aires
Local kick-off: 19:00
BST kick-off: 23:00
GMT kick-off: 22:00
NZL kick-off: 10:00 (Sunday, 1 September)
AUS (AEST) kick-off: 08:00 (Sunday, 1 September)
RSA kick-off: 00:00 (Sunday, 1 September)
Referee: James Doleman (NZR)
Assistant Referees: Ben O’Keeffe (NZR), Pierre Brousset (FFR)
TMO: Marius Jonker (SARU)
READ MORE: Released Springboks get much-needed minutes starting for Bulls and Sharks in the Currie Cup
