Frontrow reshuffle forced on Pumas
NELSON: Argentina coach Mario Ledesma has been forced into a frontrow makeover for the test against the All Blacks in Nelson.
There are four starting changes and a positional switch to the Pumas team which stunned South Africa 3219 in Mendoza two weeks ago, when it notched just its fourth win in 35 rugby Championship tests.
Ledesma was forced to omit prop Juan Figallo, who impressed in both tests against the Springboks but injured his knee when returning to club duty for Saracens in the English Premiership last week.
The 26test veteran will be sidelined for the remainder of the year with cruciate ligament damage.
Santiago Garcia Botta is introduced, pushing Jaguares teammate Nahuel Tetax Chaparro to the tighthead side.
All three front row reserves have been changed, including the recall of Leicester veteran Gaston Cortes, whose most recent test was six years ago.
There is a return at halfback for 82test veteran Martin Landajo in place of Gonzalo Bertranou.
He links with experienced Frenchbased fiveeighth Nicolas Sanchez, who shone in Mendoza with a try and 17 points.
In straight bench swaps, inside centre Jeronimo de la Fuente replaces Bautista Ezcurra and flanker Tomas Lezana usurps Pablo Matero. — AAP