Get Newsletter

Star duo back for Pumas

Argentina have been bolstered by the return of first choice flyhalf Juan Martin Hernandez and flank Juan Manuel Leguizamon for Saturday's Rugby Championship Test against the All Blacks.

The return of Hernandez and the inclusion of 35-Test openside flank Leguizamon are the only changes to the Pumas side that drew with South Africa 16-all in Mendoza two weeks ago.

Playmaker Hernandez, who was a late withdrawal from that match because of a hamstring injury, replaces Bordeaux's Nicolas Sanchez and Leguizamon comes in the side for Alvaro Galindo.

Leguizamon was sidelined by a stomach injury for Argentina's first championship matches and his last Test appearance was when Argentina lost 10-33 to the All Blacks in the World Cup quarterfinal last year.

He forms part of an experienced Argentine forward pack which includes prop Rodrigo Roncero, lock Patricio Albacete and captain and back row forward Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe.

Argentina are being assisted in their preparations for this match by former All Blacks coach Graham Henry who is helping with the development of Argentine rugby.

Although Henry is encouraging Argentina to play a more expansive game they are expected to stick with their traditional style of a rugged forward confrontation.

The tourists only named their starting 15 on Tuesday with the replacements to be announced on Thursday, the day the All Blacks name their side.

Argentina: 15 Martin Rodriguez, 14 Gonzalo Camacho, 13 Marcelo Bosch, 12 Santiago Fernandez, 11 Horacio Agulla, 10 Juan Martin Hernandez, 9 Nicolas Vergallo, 8 Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe (captain), 7 Juan Manuel Leguizamon, 6 Julio Farias Cabello, 5 Patricio Albacete, 4 Manuel Carizza, 3 Juan Figallo, 2 Eusebio Guinazu, 1 Rodrigo Roncero.

Replacements: TBC

Date: Saturday, September 8

Venue: Westpac Stadium, Wellington

Kick-off: 19.35 (04.35 Arg time; 07.35 GMT)

Referee: Romain Poite (France)

Assistant referees: George Clancy (Ireland), James Leckie (Australia)

TMO: Vinny Munro (New Zealand)

ADVERTISEMENT

Join free

Yokohama Canon Eagles vs Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo | Japan Rugby League One 2024/25 | Full Match Replay

Edinburgh vs Glasgow | Celtic Challenge 2024/25 | Match Highlights

Boks Office | Episode 31 | Investec Champions Cup Review

Global Schools Challenge | Day 2 Replay

The Backyard Bunch | The USA's Belmont Shore

AUSTRALIA vs USA behind the scenes | HSBC SVNS Embedded | E04

South Africa v France | HSBC SVNS Cape Town 2024 | Men's Final Match Highlights

Two Sides - Behind the scenes with the British & Irish Lions in South Africa | E01

Write A Comment