the australian coach Michael Cheika confirmed the formation of Los Pumas for next Saturday’s duel once morest Australia in Mendoza, in what will be the first match for the Argentine team in the 2022 Rugby Championship. The match will be broadcast live on Star + and ESPN 2 from 4:00 p.m.
The team is virtually the same as Cheika backed during the three-game series once morest Scotland in July. Tomás Cubelli reappears, absent then due to a tear, and Julián Montoya, Jerónimo de la Fuente and Santiago Cordero return, who had not been in the last match due to injury. The only absentee is Guido Petti Pagadizábal, who was rested for the first two games of the tournament.
In the week, the opening Nicholas Sanchez He had claimed to be recovered from the tear that took him off the field just a few minutes into the first game once morest Scotland, but he suffered and now he will not only miss the game but at least the first four. Benjamín Urdapilleta, originally called up for the two games once morest the Wallabies, had already been discharged. Thus, Cheika once once more opted for Santiago Carreras as a starter, who, despite not playing in his natural position, fulfilled in the July series. On the bench, Tomás Albornoz, who had already been among the substitutes in the last match in Santiago el Estero, but did not enter, awaits his debut with the light blue and white.
The inclusion of Lautaro Bazán Vélez is surprising as a replacement scrum-half over Gonzalo Bertranou from Mendoza, who had had good performances once morest Scotland and would have been playing in front of his fans. Neither is Facundo Isa, who had seen action in all three games (the last as a starter), now relegated due to the preference for Rodrigo Bruni.
“The team is fine. After two weeks of rest following the tests once morest Scotland, we return with a good spirit and training pace. We reached a higher level of detail, especially the concentration to face a team like Australia, which is always a threat, ” the coach pointed out. and regarding the loss of Sánchez, he admitted: “It is a disappointment. It is clear that this is not an isolated case. It’s something you need to work on and be well prepared for, more time to get in a really good situation for the games.” The Australian added: “Nico is a very important member of this team. As a coach, I must take responsibility for his injury, we understand the situation and we will prepare him really well so that when he comes back he will be in top form”. It will not be in the short term. It will not be for New Zealand. We tried to make his recovery in a short time, we did not succeed, so now we will do it in a longer term so that he can come back in perfect shape, ”she commented.
Meanwhile, Montoya, who missed the last test once morest Scotland due to injury, stated: “We are working on our shortcomings and what to do, especially at the start of each half. I would like the team to continue growing, I think we are doing it, logically we want to win but we are starting a process and we are looking to grow”. The local condition adds a seasoning and the hooker also spoke regarding how they treated the squad when they arrived at the venue for the debut. “Since we arrived in Mendoza we received great affection, so we want to continue sharing with them,” he said. And as for the bond to strengthen the team, he recounted: “I think it is very close. The new boys adapted very well, we learn from them and they from us. Our role is to get them into the team quickly. Everything works thinking regarding the World Cup but now we have a very important game”, closed the captain.
After Saturday’s game, the Argentine team will play once more with Australia at the Bicentennial Stadium in San Juan (August 13), then they will have a tough visit to New Zealand (August 27 and September 3) and finally they will close the competition once morest South Africa (September 17 in Buenos Aires and 24 in the city of Durban). Tickets can be purchased through Ticketek and prices start at 1,500 pesos.
1. Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, 2. Julian Montoya (captain), 3. Francisco Gomez Kodela; 4. Matthias German 5. Thomas Lavanini ; 6. John Martin Gonzalez, 7. Mark Kremer, 8. Paul Matera; 9. Thomas Cubelli, 10. James Carreras; 11. Emiliano Boffelli, 12. Jerome of the Fountain, 13. Matthias Orlando, 14. James Lamb; 15. John Cross Mallia.
Substitutes: 16. Agustín Creevy, 17. Thomas Gallo, 18. Joel Sclavi, 19. Santiago Grondona, 20. Rodrigo Bruni, 21. Lautaro Bazán Vélez, 22. Tomás Albornoz and 23. Matías Moroni.