Argentina reveal Matera's replacement ahead of RWC quarterfinal
SQUAD UPDATE: Argentina have called up lock Lucas Paulos to replace injured loose forward forward Pablo Matera, the Argentine rugby federation announced on Tuesday.
Former captain Matera, 30, injured his hamstring during Los Pumas crucial 39-27 victory over Japan in their final World Cup Pool D match on Sunday in Nantes.
That win sent Argentina into the World Cup knock-out stages and a quarterfinal against Wales in Marseille this weekend.
Matera, a grizzled veteran with close to 100 caps, was one of Los Pumas most experienced players in Australian coach Michael Cheika’s 33-man tournament squad.
Paulos, 25, has played 12 times for Los Pumas.
Born in Argentina he grew up in Spain, where he first played rugby, but has spent most of his senior rugby career playing in France.
He currently plays for Bayonne in the French Top 14 having joined from relegated Brive in the off season.
When Matera went off injured in the first half against Japan, Cheika brought on lock Matias Alemanno and switched Guido Petti to the back row.
However, he could instead shift Juan Martin Gonzalez from No.8 to blindside and bring in either Rodrigo Bruni or Facundo Isa at No.8.
Argentina have played Wales twice before at the World Cup, losing pool stage matches in 1991 and 1999, although both of those were played in Cardiff.
Los Pumas have beaten Wales only six times in 21 Tests.
