Argentina opts for consistency
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Argentina opted for consistency in selection with an unchanged backline with most changes made in the pack ahead of the second Test against New Zealand at Eden Park.
The most notable omission is that of veteran Agustin Creevy – who scored the match-winning try against the All Blacks in Wellington.
Joaquin Oviedo gets the nod at No.8 after doing duty off the bench last week, with Juan Martin Gonzalez shifting to No.7 flank replacing Marcos Kremer who has been shifted to No.4 lock.
There is also a change in the captaincy with Julian Montoya getting the captains’ armband in place of Pablo Matera after missing out on selection last week, with Ignacio Ruiz who started in the hooker position in Wellington dropping to the bench.
Lock Franco Molina gets an opportunity off the bench replacing Efrain Elias
Argentina: 15 Juan Cruz Mallia, 14 Matias Moroni, 13 Lucio Cinti, 12 Santiago Chocobares, 11 Mateo Carreras, 10 Santiago Carreras, 9 Gonzalo Bertranou, 8 Joaquin Oviedo, 7 Juan Martin Gonzalez, 6 Pablo Matera, 5 Pedro Rubiolo, 4 Marcos Kremer, 3 Lucio Sordoni, 2 Julian Montoya (captain),1 Thomas Gallo.
Replacements: 16 Ignacio Ruiz, 17 Mayco Vivas, 18 Joel Sclavi, 19 Tomas Lavanini, 20 Franco Molina, 21 Lautaro Bazan Velez, 22 Tomas Albornoz, 23 Bautista Delguy
Date: Saturday, August 17
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
Kick-off: 19.05 (07.05 GMT; 04.05 ART)
Referee: Andrea Piardi (France)
Assistant referees: Angus Gardner (Australia), Nic Berry (Australia)
TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)
