Five-year Test exile set to end as Contepomi names otherwise familiar Pumas team

Argentina head coach Felipe Contepomi has named the same starting XV as the 17-10 defeat to South Africa earlier this month for Saturday’s clash with Australia in Jujuy.

However, the former fly-half has opted to go with a 5-3 split on the bench, which shows two changes of personnel, including a Test recall after a five-year absence for Dragons prop, Rodrigo Martinez.

Martinez, who wears the No.17 jersey instead of ex-Gloucester man Marco Vivas, will win his fourth cap if pressed into action, and his first since 2021.

The other change to the replacements’ line-up is as a result of Contepomi going for a 5-3 split, as opposed to the six forwards and two backs he named against the physical Springboks.

Like Martinez, fly-half Nicolas Roger will win his fourth cap, with Juan Martin Scelzo the man to miss out.

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins

3

Draws

0

Wins

2

Average Points scored

34

26

First try wins

20%

Home team wins

40%

Boris Wenger and Francisco Moreno are the two starting props, with Ignacio Ruiz packing down between them at hooker.

Vice-captain Guido Petti and Tomas Lavanini bring their experience to the second row, while the Pumas will be led again from blindside by Pablo Matera.

Openside Benjamin Grondona and No.8 Joaquin Moro retain their places in the back row alongside Matera, who wins his 126th cap.

It’s the same again in the backs, too, with Newcastle’s Simon Benitez Cruz partnered by Bath’s Santi Carreras in an all-PREM half-back combination.

Faustino Sanchez Valarolo and Lucio Cinti get another run out together in midfield, while Ignacio Mendy and Rodrigo Isgro retain their place on the wings and Geromino Prisciantelli is full-back.

Argentina team vs Australia:

1. Boris Wenger
2. Ignacio Ruiz
3. Francisco Moreno
4. Guido Petti (VC)
5. Tomás Lavanini
6. Pablo Matera (C)
7. Benjamin Grondona
8. Joaquín Moro
9. Simón Benitez Cruz
10. Santiago Carreras (VC)
11. Ignacio Mendy
12. Faustino Sanchez Valarolo
13. Lucio Cinti
14. Rodrigo Isgro
15. Gerónimo Prisciantelli

Replacements

16. Leonel Oviedo
17. Rodrigo Martinez
18. Tomás Ropetti
19. Ephraim Elijah
20. Juan Penoucos
21. Agustín Moyano
22. Nicholas Roger
23. Matías Moroni