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Argentina change two backs and include uncapped forward on bench
By
Liam Heagney
Michael Cheika has made two changes to his Argentina team for this Saturday’s Rugby Championship finale versus the Springboks in Durban. The Pumas had their hopes of winning a first-ever TRC title extinguished by last weekend’s defeat to South Africa in Buenos Aires and the reaction to the 36-20 loss has been felt in the backline as the starting pack will remain unchanged.
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Argentina, on this occasion, have opted to start with Juan Imhoff on the left wing in place of Lucio Cinti while Matias Moroni – a try-scoring sub in round five – is promoted from the bench by Cheika to take over from Matias Orlando in the midfield. Both Cinti and Orlando have been excluded from the match day 23.
As regards the replacements, Argentina have made three alterations for their round six match with the Springboks. Mayco Vivas is named as replacement loosehead in place of last week’s sub Thomas Gallo, the uncapped Pedro Rubiolo takes over the back row cover role from Rodrigo Bruni while Bautista Delguy is at No23 following Moroni’s elevation into the starting line-up.
The Springboks also limited the changes to their starting line-up to two when they unveiled their selection earlier this week, but they reconfigured their bench cover by opting to go with six forwards and just two backs as they look to pip the All Blacks to the title.
Argentina (vs South Africa, Saturday)
15. Juan Cruz Mallia; 14. Emiliano Boffelli, 13. Matias Moroni, 12. Jeronimo de la Fuenta; 11. Juan Imhoff; 10. Santiago Carreras, 9. Gonzalo Bertranou; 8. Pablo Matera, 7. Marcos Kremer, 6. Juan Martin Gonzalez, 5. Tomas Lavanini, 4. Matias Alemanno, 3. Eduardo Bello, 2. Julian Montoya (capt), 1. Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro. Replacements: 16. Agustin Creevy, 17. Mayco Vivas, 18. Joel Sclavi, 19. Guido Petti, 20. Pedro Rubiolo, 21. Tomas Cubelli, 22. Benjamin Urdapilleta, 23. Bautista Delguy.
¡Los 23 Pumas para enfrentar a los Springboks! ??
? Sábado 24/09
? 12:05 h (hora argentina)
? Estadio Kings Park#VamosLosPumas pic.twitter.com/zYBaZWVRR7— Los Pumas (@lospumas) September 22, 2022
