Argentina rings changes in shake-up

Argentina have turned away from a winning formula in the hope of conquering the All Blacks.

After toppling South Africa 32-19 in their last match, coach Mario Ledesma has made five changes to his starting lineup for tomorrow’s clash at Nelson’s Trafalgar Park.

In the backline, Martin Landajo replaces Gonzalo Bertranou at halfback, Jeronimo de la Fuente starts in place of Bautista Ezcurra at No 12 with Ezcurra back on the bench.

In the forwards, prop Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro switches sides at the scrum moving from loosehead to tighthead and is joined by Santiago Garcia Botta, with Juan Figallo already back with his club side, Saracens.

Tomas Lezana starts at blindside flanker ahead of Pablo Matera, who moves back to the bench.

On the bench, props Juan Pablo Zeiss and Gaston Cortes will get a shot against the All Blacks for the first time in their representative careers, while hooker Julian Montoya makes his return from injury in the No 16 jersey.

Landajo said his side was learning every day and the clash against the All Blacks would be a good test of their progress.

“Having a victory against South Africa last time helps, but nothing matters if we don’t do what we train on Saturday. Everything can help, but if we don’t do that on Saturday, it’s no different.

“We’re confident in what we do, and we’re confident if we do our stuff the game will be good for us.”

The Pumas come into the match third on the Rugby Championship ladder, with a win and a loss against South Africa in their opening two matches. They’ll meet a new-look All Blacks line-up, which features Crusaders first five-eighths Richie Mo’unga in the No 10 jersey, Nehe Milner-Skudder on the wing, TJ Perenara at halfback and Shannon Frizell at blindside flanker.

Argentina will be looking for their first win over the All Blacks. In 26 matches, they’ve fallen to 25 losses; with a solitary 21-21 draw in 1985.