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The Rugby Championship

Argentina make 7 changes to Springbok slayers with enforcer ruled out

Argentina's Marcos Kremer reacts after a try was scored during the Rugby Championship Test match between the New Zealand All Blacks and Argentina at Eden Park in Auckland on August 17, 2024. (Photo by MICHAEL BRADLEY / AFP)

Argentina head coach Felipe Contepomi has made seven changes to the team that triumphed over South Africa last week for their rematch in the final round of The Rugby Championship on Saturday.

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The Pumas go into the match with the mathematical possibility of winning the Championship, although that would require a bonus point win over the world champions at the Mbombela Stadium while also depriving them of any points whatsoever.

The task is that much harder for the visitors with enforcer Marcos Kremer ruled out with a knee injury. He will be replaced by Bristol Bears’ Santiago Grondona in the No 7 jersey in one of three changes to the pack.

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‘That Manie Libbok kick will follow him’ | RPTV

The Boks Office crew react to South Africa’s one-point loss to Argentina, with all to play for in Nelspruit this coming weekend. Watch the full show on RugbyPass TV

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Imposing lock Tomas Lavanini has returned to the starting XV with Franco Molina dropping to the bench, while Juan Martin Gonzalez has swapped roles with Pablo Matera, with the former captain starting on the bench.

The four changes in the backline see three substitutes from last week – scrum-half Gonzalo Garcia, full-back Santiago Carrera and centre Matias Moroni – start in place of Gonzalo Bertanou, Lucio Cinti and Juan Cruz Mallia, with the latter two dropping to the bench.

Fixture
Rugby Championship
South Africa
48 - 7
Full-time
Argentina
All Stats and Data

The final change in the backline sees Harlequins signing Rodrigo Isgro start in place of Bautista Delguy.

Kremer’s club ASM Clermont Auvergne shared an update on the flanker’s health on Thursday. Their statement reads: “Back in Auvergne, Marcos Kremer underwent additional examinations which confirmed the sprain of the internal lateral ligament of his left knee. The Argentine back-row will be sidelined for a few weeks.”

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Argentina XV
15 Santiago Carreras
14 Rodrigo Isgro
13 Matais Moroni
12 Santiago Chocobares
11 Mateo Carreras
10 Tomas Albornoz
9 Gonzalo Garcia
1 Thomas Gallo
2 Julian Montoya
3 Joel Sclavi
4 Pedro Rubiolo
5 Tomás Lavanini
6 Juan Martín Gonzalez
7 Santiago Grondona
8 Joaquin Oviedo

Replacements
16 Ignacio Ruiz
17 Ignacio Calles
18 Pedro Delgado
19 Franco Molina
20 Pablo Matera
21 Lautaro Bazan Velez
22 Lucio Cinti
23 Juan Cruz Mallia

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Comments

2 Comments
N
NK 237 days ago

Is Contepomi attempting a kind of bomb squad himself? Matera, Mallia and Cinti from the bench...

A
Another 237 days ago

I have a feeling they will be smashed this weekend. Sorry Pumas fans!

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Comments on RugbyPass

C
Cantab 10 days ago
Teenager Braxton Sorensen-McGee reflects on dream Black Ferns debut

Although NZ won comfortably enough they weren’t always convincing and a better opposition may well have found them out. If our gun 7s players can translate their skills to the 15s game the team would have the ability to beat anyone. Need to be given the chance though.

4 Go to comments
J
James 10 days ago
'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

And how do you see the Wallabies loosehead / Lion’s tighthead battle Nick?

37 Go to comments
d
dw 10 days ago
'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Also interested in your thoughts on A Bell. Haven't noticed many scrum issues recently. He also seems to play 60 or so mins every game. A bit of a fan (even though he’s a tah..) but wondered if the Lions would target his scrummaging

37 Go to comments
d
dw 10 days ago
'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

True. And you look at how the European coaches have got so much out of skelton and how much the local fans love him…and then some Oz fans will still say “he played poorly for the tahs I'm 2015!”

37 Go to comments
d
dw 10 days ago
'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Thanks Nick but your headline has just jinxed us and reminded me of that night in 2013!

I love any analysis of the scrums such as the above. Cheers.


Allalatoa seems to be in good form and Nongorr appears to be able to hold his own? I think they will pick Tupou regardless of form. After Friday night I am concerned he could be sent off in the first five mins of the test though! He got too pumped up and hit a player high and was carded

37 Go to comments
R
RedWarriors 10 days ago
'Most complacent selection decision you will ever see': Barrett benching slammed as Leinster knocked out

I watched the mainstream NZ pundits eg Mils Muliaina and they DID back NZ to win almost to a man.

Ireland will talk their team up as anyone would with the caveats we are playing the ABs and match was de facto 50:50, That is not the same as dismissing the opposition. EG After the quarter John Kirwan said he was sorry France didn’t win versus SA becuase a ‘France-NZ final would be perfect. (The semis had not even been played yet, England and Argentina completely dismissed! He didn’t even realize his own arrogance) NZ are not even aware of the arrogance they exude. Has no Kiwi politely asked the national team to take down the ‘Superstars and Humble Heroes’ boasting on the AB site? Its cringeworthy stuff. Do NZ really see themselves like this?

Note all this BS about Irish arrogance started just after NZs defeat in the 2022 series. Not a coincidence.

Also: this is Irish national TV. We will talk our team up as everyone does. We care too much about judgemental and thin skinned Kiwis getting offended.

91 Go to comments
J
JM 10 days ago
'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Aussie rugby fans are obsessed with players they hate, for whatever reason.

Michael Hooper is another one, and the hatred only increased whenever he won John Eales medals or the two times he was nominated world player of the year.

I reckon it is because our forwards are technically and mentally weak they put it all on one player who they think should make way for the messiah.

Same for the general team performance and the hate put on players like White, Lolesio, and Foley who should be pulling rabbits out of the hat every play.

I reckon, if we had of had 5 players with Hooper’s desire and drive spread across the team (and especiallythe forwards), we wouldn’t have woken up in the bottom of the ditch.

37 Go to comments
R
RedWarriors 10 days ago
'What he’s given to this club is nothing short of incredible'

He shouldn’t have been picked. Not physically able for the most intense matches notably in Twickenham last year. Giving him the captaincy was also a very short sighted decision then after RWC 2023. Ireland have a tendency to be a little too loyal, which can mean the team ages and the rebuild is bigger than should be.

Plenty of lads out there to fill that squad.

4 Go to comments
O
OJohn 10 days ago
Geoff Parling returns to Leicester as head coach

Hooray

0 Go to comments
C
Carlos 10 days ago
'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

He was also a YC magnet.

37 Go to comments
C
Carlos 10 days ago
'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Windsor-Faulkner-Price. 😊

37 Go to comments
S
Solenn Bonnet 10 days ago
Leinster cleanse palette with record URC scoreline against Zebre

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0 Go to comments
M
Mzilikazi 10 days ago
'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Ah, the Pooler front row ! Most legendary in the history of the , I would think. Max Boyce helped…”Here we. here we, here we go, with the Pontypool front row.”

37 Go to comments
M
Mzilikazi 10 days ago
'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Would not go as far as whole house in our family, but for me, yes, W1. Loved playing in the scrum, love watching now😀

37 Go to comments
M
Mzilikazi 10 days ago
'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Yes, I see that article here on RP, Nick. That is good news that Schmidt is going to look at the o’seas players.


Yes, I would think you are right that LAR will qualify. On the same points as MP, but surely they are too good not to win this crunch game….could be tEnse for ROG in the stands though.

37 Go to comments
B
BC 10 days ago
Who would make it into a Women's British and Irish Lions starting XV?

I would pick Oifa Wafer at 6, put Aldcroft in the second row with Ward. I think Wafer is one of the few non-England players mentioned that would contend for a Red Rose shirt, the others being King and possibly Neve Jones. Conversely there are two English players mentioned, Sing and Venner, that probably won’t even make the Red Rose WC squad, let alone a Lions Tour. Still a lot can change in two years, watch out for Millie David.

1 Go to comments
O
Otagoman II 10 days ago
'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Great article NB, thanks. I would like to know what is the reasoning why so many things are penalties in the scrum. Is it to do with safety or something else?

37 Go to comments
N
NB 10 days ago
'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

👍

37 Go to comments
N
NB 10 days ago
'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Always the same at the other place. Some of those perceptions of him at the Tahs - lazy, overweight and slow - were impossible to shift!

37 Go to comments
N
NB 10 days ago
'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Hang on to Miz Carlos!

37 Go to comments
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