Los Pumas without veteran flyhalf for Rugby Champs opener
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Argentina head coach Michael Cheika has revealed his team for their 2022 Rugby Championship opener against Australia in Mendoza on Saturday.
There are three changes to the backline that started in the 34-31 win in the third Test against Scotland.
Santiago Cordero comes in on the wing for Bautista Delguy, while Jerónimo de la Fuente gets the nod over Matias Moroni at inside centre.
The final change in the backline sees Tomas Cubelli take over the No.9 duties from Lautaro Bazán Vélez.
The blow for Argentina is that veteran flyhalf Nicolás Sánchez has been ruled out of the matchday 23 because of injury.
Meanwhile, a new-look pack that will be in action on Saturday.
Pablo Matera will wear the No.8 jersey this weekend with Marcos Kremer and Juan Martín González Samso on the flanks.
In the second row, Tomás Lavanini will have a new partner in the form of Matías Alemanno.
In the front row, Francisco Gómez Kodela comes in for Joel Sclavi with Julian Montoya leading the team from the hooker position.
Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro comes in to wear the No.1 jersey with Thomas Gallo dropping down to the bench.
Argentina: 15 Juan Cruz Mallía, 14 Santiago Cordero, 13 Matias Orlando, 12 Jerónimo de la Fuente, 11 Emiliano Boffelli, 10 Santiago Carreras, 9 Tomas Cubelli, 8 Pablo Matera, 7 Marcos Kremer, 6 Juan Martín González Samso, 5 Tomás Lavanini, 4 Matías Alemanno, 3 Francisco Gómez Kodela, 2 Julian Montoya (captain), 1 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro.
Replacements: 16 Agustin Creevy, 17 Thomas Gallo, 18 Joel Sclavi, 19 Santiago Grondona, 20 Rodrigo Bruni, 21 Lautaro Bazán Vélez, 22 Tomas Albornoz, 23 Matias Moroni.
Date: Saturday, August 6
Venue: Estadio Malvinas Argentinas, Mendoza
Kick-off: 16.10 (19.10 GMT; 05.10 AEST Sunday, August 7)
Referee: Mike Adamson (Scotland)
Assistant referees: Karl Dickson (England), Chris Busby (Ireland)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen [South Africa]
¡Los Pumas confirmados! 🐆 🇦🇷
El equipo nacional ya conoce a los 23 jugadores que estarán disponibles para el debut del Rugby Championship el próximo sábado ante Australia.
¡Estamos listos! 🤩#VuelvenLosPumas #VamosLosPumas pic.twitter.com/dWqjQICjLa
— Los Pumas (@lospumas) August 4, 2022
