Ledesma makes three changes for Wallabies clash
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Argentina have made three changes for their clash with the Wallabies on Saturday, with Gonzalo Bertranou returning at scrumhalf as they look to bounce back from defeat to the All Blacks last weekend.
The Pumas went down 24-46 to New Zealand in Nelson and while it was a spirited performance their scrum was “torn apart”, according to coach Mario Ledesma, himself a former hooker.
In a bid to fix their problems for the Gold Coast Test, prop Santiago Medrano replaces Garcia Botta and blindside flank Pablo Matera returns to the starting line-up in place of Tomas Lezana.
After resting last weekend, Bertranou is back at scrumhalf with Martin Landajo relegated to the bench.
The Pumas have lost 15 of their last 16 Tests against Australia, but after beating South Africa last month there is a belief that the miserable run can be brought to an end.
“Why not?” said Ledesma, a former Wallabies forwards coach who is a close friend of his Australian counterpart Michael Cheika.
“Even though we lost by 20 points [against the All Blacks], I think there’s a lot of positives from the game.”
Argentina: 15 Emiliano Boffelli, 14 Bautista Delguy, 13 Matias Moroni, 12 Jeronimo de la Fuente, 11 Ramiro Moyano, 10 Nicolas Sanchez, 9 Gonzalo Bertranou, 8 Javier Ortega Desio, 7 Marcos Kremer, 6 Pablo Matera, 5 Tomas Lavanini, 4 Guido Petti, 3 Santiago Medrano, 2 Agustin Creevy (captain), 1 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro.
Replacements: 16 Julian Montoya, 17 Santiago Garcia Botta, 18 Juan Pablo Zeiss, 19 Matias Alemanno, 20 Juan Manuel Leguizamon, 21 Martin Landajo, 22 Bautista Ezcurra, 23 Juan Cruz Mallia.
Date: Saturday, September 15
Venue: Robina Stadium, Gold Coast
Kick-off: 20.00 (07.00 Argentina time; 10.00 GMT)
Referee: John Lacey (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Glen Jackson (New Zealand), Paul Williams (New Zealand)
TMO: Glenn Newman (New Zealand)
Agence France-Presse
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