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Hourcade turns to rookies for final Test

Centre Bautista Ezcurra will win his first Argentina cap when he plays against Scotland Saturday in a one-off Test at Estadio Centenario in Resistencia.

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His selection ahead of Jeronimo de la Fuente is among six changes – one injury-enforced – to the side outplayed 12-30 by Wales in Santa Fe last weekend.

Argentina also suffered a heavy loss to Wales in the first of two Tests, leaving them needing to defeat Scotland to avoid a mid-season whitewash.

In the other backline alteration, wing Sebastian Cancelliere gets a first start for the Pumas in place of injured Ramiro Moyano.

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Among the forwards, coach Daniel Hourcade has altered the front, second and back rows for his final match in charge after a poor two-season run led him to quit.

Loosehead Javier Diaz replaces Santiago Garcia Botta, lock Matias Alemanno takes over from Tomas Lavanini and flank Tomas Lezana comes in for Marcos Kremer.

At No.8, veteran Leonardo Senatore gets the nod ahead of Javier Ortega Desio for his first appearance of the June Tests.

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In earlier tour matches, Scotland walloped Canada 48-10 before suffering a shock 29-30 defeat by the United States.

ARGENTINA

15. Emiliano Boffelli, 14. Bautista Delguy, 13. Matias Orlando, 12. Bautista Ezcurra, 11. Sebastian Cancelliere, 10. Nicolas Sanchez, 9. Martín Landajo, 8. Leonardo Senatore, 7. Tomas Lezana, 6. Pablo Matera, 5. Matias Alemanno, 4. Guido Petti, 3. Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, 2. Agustin Creevy (C), 1. Javier Diaz.
Replacements: 16. Julian Montoya, 17. Santiago Garcia Botta, 18. Santiago Medrano, 19. Marcos Kremer, 20. Tomas Lavanini, 21. Gonzalo Bertranou, 22. Santiago Gonzalez Iglesias, 23. Juan Cruz Mallia.

In other news:

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B
BeamMeUp 3 hours ago
The Springboks have something you don't have

A few comments. Firstly, I am a Bok fan and it's been a golden period for us. I hope my fellow Bok fans appreciate this time and know that it cannot last forever, so soak it all in!


The other thing to mention (and this is targeted at Welsh, English and even Aussie supporters who might be feeling somewhat dejected) is that it's easy to forget that just before Rassie Erasmus took over in 2018, the Boks were ranked 7th in the world and I had given up hope we'd ever be world beaters again.


Sport is a fickle thing and Rassie and his team have managed to get right whatever little things it takes to make a mediocre team great. I initially worried his methods might be short-lived (how many times can you raise a person's commitment by talking about his family and his love of his country as a motivator), but he seems to have found a way. After winning in 2019 on what was a very simple game plan, he has taken things up ever year - amazing work which has to be applauded! (Dankie Rassie! Ons wardeer wat jy vir die ondersteuners en die land doen!) (Google translate if you don't understand Afrikaans! 😁)


I don't think people outside South Africa fully comprehend the enormity of the impact seeing black and white, English, Afrikaans and Xhosa and all the other hues playing together does for the country's sense of unity. It's pure joy and happiness.


This autumn tour has been a bit frustrating in that the Boks have won, but never all that convincingly. On the one hand, I'd like to have seen more decisive victories, BUT what Rassie has done is expose a huge number of players to test rugby, whilst also diversifying the way the Boks play (Tony Brown's influence).


This change of both style and personnel has resulted in a lack of cohesion at times and we've lost some of the control, whereas had we been playing our more traditional style, that wouldn't happen. This is partially attributable to the fact that you cannot play Tony Brown's expansive game whilst also having 3 players available at every contact point to clear the defence off the ball. I have enjoyed seeing the Boks play a more exciting, less attritional game, which is a boring, albeit effective spectacle. So, I am happy to be patient, because the end justifies the means (and I trust Rassie!). Hopefully all these players we are blooding will give us incredible options for substitutions come next year's Rugby Championship and of course, the big prize in 2027.


Last point! The game of rugby has never been as exciting as it is now. Any of Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, France, Argentina, Scotland, England & Australia can beat one another. South Africa may be ranked #1, but I wouldn't bet my house in them beating France or New Zealand, and we saw Argentina beating both South Africa and New Zealand this year! That's wonderful for the game and makes the victories we do get all the sweeter. Each win is 100% earned. Long may it last!


Sorry for the long post! 🏉🌍

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