Contepomi recalls prop after five years as Argentina face Wallabies
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Argentina head coach Felipe Contepomi has kept faith with the starting XV that went down 10-17 to South Africa earlier this month, naming an unchanged side for Saturday’s clash against Australia in Jujuy.
The only changes come on the bench, where Contepomi has switched to a 5-3 split after using six forwards and two backs against the physical Springboks.
The biggest selection news is the return of Dragons prop Rodrigo Martinez, who is back in the Test squad for the first time in five years. Martinez replaces Marco Vivas in the No.17 jersey and will earn his fourth cap if he takes the field, his first since 2021.
The second change among the replacements sees flyhalf Nicolas Roger come into the squad as part of the extra backline cover, with Juan Martin Scelzo dropping out.
The starting pack remains unchanged, with Boris Wenger and Francisco Moreno packing down as the props alongside hooker Ignacio Ruiz.
Vice-captain Guido Petti partners Tomas Lavanini in the second row, while Pablo Matera captains the side again from blindside flank as he prepares for his 126th Test cap.
*Also read: Kailea back in gold, Alaalatoa to captain against Los Pumas
Benjamin Grondona keeps the No.7 jersey, and Joaquin Moro continues at No.8 to complete an unchanged loose trio.
There are no changes in the backline either. Simon Benitez Cruz starts at scrumhalf alongside flyhalf Santiago Carreras, while Faustino Sanchez Valarolo and Lucio Cinti continue their midfield partnership.
Ignacio Mendy and Rodrigo Isgro remain on the wings, with Gerónimo Prisciantelli once again selected at fullback.
Argentina: 15 Gerónimo Prisciantelli, 14 Rodrigo Isgro, 13 Lucio Cinti, 12 Faustino Sanchez Valarolo, 11 Ignacio Mendy, 10 Santiago Carreras, 9 Simón Benitez Cruz, 8 Joaquín Moro, 7 Benjamin Grondona, 6 Pablo Matera (captain), 5 Tomás Lavanini, 4 Guido Petti, 3 Francisco Moreno, 2 Ignacio Ruiz, 1 Boris Wenger.
Replacements: 16 Leonel Oviedo, 17 Rodrigo Martinez, 18 Tomás Ropetti, 19 Ephraim Elijah, 20 Juan Penoucos, 21 Agustín Moyano, 22 Nicholas Roger, 23 Matías Moroni.
Venue: Estadio 23 de Agosto, San Salvador, Argentina
Kick-off: 21:00 SAST (5:00 AM AEST, 19.00 GMT)
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (NZR)
Assistant Referees: James Doleman (NZR), Gianluca Gnecchi (FIR)
TMO: Richard Kelly (NZR)
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