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New Argentina era begins with 9 changes from World Cup bronze line-up
By Josh Raisey
New Argentina boss Felipe Contepomi has named his first side of his tenure, making nine changes to the starting XV that will take on France on Saturday in Mendoza to the one that last ran out for the Pumas.
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The Argentina great took over from Michael Cheika at the conclusion of the World Cup last year, where the Pumas finished in fourth place following a 26-23 loss to England in the bronze final.
Loosehead Thomas Gallo, captain and hooker Julian Montoya, flanker Marcos Kremer, fly-half Santiago Carreras, wing Mateo Carreras and centre Jeronimo de la Fuente are the only survivors in the starting XV from that match at the Stade de France.
Despite plenty of changes, ASM Clermont Auvergne winger Bautista Delguy is the only member of the starting line-up that was not part of the World Cup campaign last year.
The bench is slightly more experimental, however, with lock Franco Molina and flanker Bautista Pedemonte poised to make their debuts. Props Ignacio Ruiz and Lucio Sordoni, and flyhalf Tomas Albornoz all have fewer than ten caps as well.
Argentina XV
1. GALLO, Thomas (23 caps)
2. MONTOYA, Julián (95 caps) – captain
3. BELLO, Eduardo (21 caps)
4. ALEMANNO, Matías (94 caps)
5. PAULOS, Lucas (12 caps)
6. MATERA, Pablo (98 caps) – vice-captain
7. KREMER, Marcos (64 caps) – vice-captain
8. OVIEDO, Joaquín (2 caps)
9. BERTRANOU, Gonzalo (57 caps)
10. CARRERAS, Santiago (42 caps)
11. CARRERAS, Mateo (17 caps)
12. DE LA FUENTE, Jerónimo (78 caps)
13. MORONI, Matías (80 caps)
11. DELGUY, Bautista (25 caps)
15. BOGADO, Martín (3 caps)
Replacements
16. RUIZ, Ignacio (7 caps)
17. VIVAS, Mayco (21 caps)
18. SORDONI, Lucio (5 caps)
19. MOLINA, Franco (debut)
20. PEDEMONTE, Bautista (debut)
21. BAZÁN VÉLEZ, Lautaro (13 caps)
22. ALBORNOZ, Tomás (5 caps)
23. ORLANDO, Matías (58 caps)
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Still the most unpredictable team in the game. They can be magic or tragic.
Beautiful to watch in full flight. Utterly joyful.
Really hope they kick on and get going again.
Unless Gonzalez is injured, it is simply malpractice to exclude him. Probably the best back rower in the English league last season, selected by the players as best player of the team.
Oh, again, Santiago Carreras only “plays” fly half for the Pumas. A huge mystery.
Sadly, the team doesn’t look too promising.
Most relevant absences: J.M. González, Cinti, Malía, Chocobares, Petti, Lavanini, Sclavi (they are resting after having played many minutes since RWC 2023). Boffelli and Grondona (injured)