Pumas look to avoid unwanted record

– Pointless Argentina need a Rugby Championship win over Australia here today to avoid the 2017 campaign being the worst since they joined the competition five years ago.

After five consecutive losses to South Africa, New Zealand and away to Australia, Los Pumas are doomed to finish bottom of the table for a fifth time.

But during two previous winless seasons, Argentina secured losing bonus points that have eluded them this year.

In Mendoza, Augustin Creevy (above) leads a team showing four changes to that which started against the All Blacks and were run ragged during the opening half before improving dramatically.

In the lone change made by coach Daniel Hourcade among the backs, Martin Landajo replaces injured Tomas Cubelli at scrumhalf.

Mendoza

Cubelli can offer unique insight into Australian rugby having being part of the Canberra-based Brumbies Super Rugby outfit before joining the Jaguares.

Locks Marcos Kremer and Matias Alemanno take over from Guido Petti and the ill-disciplined Tomas Lavanini, whose latest transgression was a yellow card against the All Blacks.

In a back-row shuffle, flanker Tomas Lezana switches to number eight in place of Leguizamon with Javier Ortega Desio drafted in.

Only Montoya, prop Santiago Garcia Botta and winger/fullback Santiago Cordero survive from the bench chosen for the New Zealand Test. –