Pumas ring the changes
Argentina bring in six new players for tough Test against the Kiwis
Argentina have made six changes for a Rugby Championship Test against the New Zealand All Blacks in La Plata tomorrow.
Out of the team beaten 14-13 in Australia this month go four backs – right-wing Horacio Agulla, centres Gonzalo Tiesi and Felipe Contepomi and scrum-half Tomas Cubelli.
Their places are taken by Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino on the wing, Marcelo Bosch and Santiago Fernandez in the centre, andMartin Landajo at scrum-half.
Among the forwards, fit-again lock Patricio Albacete replaces Manuel Carizza and there is also a change at hooker with Eusebio Guinazu and Pablo Matera returning in place of Agustin Creevy.
Agulla, Contepomi, Cubelli and Creevy are on the bench while Tiesi and Carizza drop out of the matchday 23 for the fifth-round match.
“We made the changes believing this is the best starting line-up to face the All Blacks,” coach Santiago Phelan said after naming his team.
“I was in the pleasant situation of having options for each position. The squad is fresh, enthusiastic and ready for the huge challenge ahead.
“The players are adapting to facing the three best rugby nations,” said Phelan, whoseadvisers include 2011 New Zealand Rugby World Cup-winning coach Graham Henry.
Argentina debuted in the southern hemisphere championship last year and took a 54-15 hiding from the All Blacks at Estadio Ciudad de La Plata.
But they were unlucky 22-17 losers to South Africa in the first home match this year in the western city of Mendoza and Bosch hopes for a closer game against New Zealand. — AFP