Skip to main content

Argentina keep unchanged starting XV as overseas stars remain unavailable

Argentina's prop Tomas Rapetti is tackled by South Africa's Jan-Hendrick Wessels.
Argentina's prop Tomas Rapetti is tackled by South Africa's Jan-Hendrick Wessels.ALEJANDRO PAGNI / AFP

Argentina have kept the same starting line-up from ⁠their narrow loss to world champions South Africa earlier this month for ‌Saturday’s first test against Australia.

Coach Felipe Contepomi ‌must again do without many of ‌his overseas-based players but has opted ‌for consistency after the narrow 17-10 loss ‌to the Springboks in Buenos Aires on August 8.

He had made 13 changes ‌for the one-off test against ⁠South Africa ‌after the last of their three Nations Championship ​tests in July and, despite the absentees, the Pumas handed the ​Springboks a gritty challenge.

Santiago Carreras continues at flyhalf, pairing with Simon Benitez ⁠Cruz at scrumhalf ​while the second row pairing of Tomas Lavanini and Guido Petti have 194 caps between them.

There are two ‌changes on the bench with prop Rodrigo Martinez in for Mayco Vivas while Juan Martin Scelzo is replaced by utility back Nicolas Roger.

Pablo Matera, winning his 125th cap, continues as captain in the absence of Julian Montoya.

Argentina matchday squad:

Starters: 15-Geronimo Prisciantelli, 14-Rodrigo Isgro, 13-Lucio Cinti, 12-Faustino ‌Sanchez Valarolo, 11-Ignacio Mendy, 10-Santiago Carreras, ​9-Simon Benitez Cruz, 8-Joaquin Moro, 7-Benjamin Grondona, ‌6-Pablo Matera (captain), 5-Tomas Lavanini, 4-Guido Petti, 3-Francisco Moreno, 2-Ignacio Ruiz, 1-Boris Wenger

Replacements: 16-Leonel Oviedo, 17-Rodrigo Martinez, 18-Tomas Rapetti, 19-Efraín Elias, 20-Juan Penoucos, 21-Agustín Moyano, ⁠22-Nicolas Roger, ⁠23-Matias Moroni

Australia matchday squad:

Starters: 15-Tom Wright; 14-Max Jorgensen, 13-Isaac Henry, 12-Hunter Paisami, 11-Harry Potter; 10-Carter Gordon, 9-Ryan Lonergan; 8-Rob Valetini, 7-Fraser McReight, 6-Tom Hooper; 5-Jeremy Williams, 4-Josh Canham; 3-Allan Alaalatoa (capt), 2-Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 1-Isaac Kailea

Replacements: 16-Billy Pollard, 17-Angus Bell, 18-Massimo De Lutiis, 19-Lachlan Shaw, 20-Charlie Cale, 21-Tate McDermott, 22-Ben Donaldson, 23-Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii

Chances are you’re about to lose.

For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au