Argentina coach Mario Ledesma retained the same starting line -up that upset the All Blacks for the Pumas’ Tri-Nations clash with the Wallabies in Newcastle on Saturday night.
Playing their first Test in more than a year, the Pumas posted their first victory over New Zealand with a 10-point victory last Saturday at Sydney’s Bankwest Stadium.
Ledesma kept his starting XV, including five-eighth Nicolas Sanchez, who was responsible for all of their 25 points.
In changes to the reserves, Santiago Socino replaced Facundo Bosch as back-up hooker Julian Montoya, while Facundo Isa was named as back-row cover instead of Tomas Lezana.
Emiliano Boffelli replaced rookie back Lucio Cinti on the bench.
A victory for either side on Saturday will move them above the All Blacks to the top of the Tri-Nation standings, with Argentina last beating the Wallabies in 2018 on the Gold Coast.
15-1: Santiago Carreras, Bautista Delguy, Matias Orlando, Santiago Chocobares, Juan Imhoff, Nicolas Sanchez, Tomas Cubelli, Rodrigo Bruni, Marcos Kremer, Pablo Matera (capt), Matias Alemanno, Guido Petti, Francisco Gomez Kodela, Julian Montoya, Nahuel Tetaz Chapparo
Backs: Santiago Socino, Mayco Vivas, Santiago Medrano, Santiago Grondona, Facundo Isa, Gonzalo Bertranou, Emiliano Boffelli, Santiago Cordero
Sgt Pepperoni
Roar Rookie
Hard to see any team maintaining such incredible possession and handling stats
WEST
Roar Guru
I’d love to see Pumas claim it.. but I just can’t see it. Like England at the RWC! Eddies focus was beat the All Blacks at any cost. They did.. but no plan for the next game. The actual final against the Boks. England Looked like a completely different team the next game. Very difficult to keep a high standard. But, you never know? Pumas could go against their own grain and start becoming consistent.
Waxhead
Roar Rookie
Team unchanged as expected. If they can play as great against WBs they'll win imo. But can they? It's all on los Pumas imo - will be fascinating to watch :thumbup:
Puff
Guest
Melissa interesting predicament, Dave Rennie’s Wallabies appear to be basing their game plan on strategic kicking and keeping the ball down town. With, Mario Ledesma using last week’s play book, steadfast defense and winning the match in multiples of three. Neither team at this juncture has the skill level to play a fast open match, which suggests a game of opportunity. The Wallabies will need to be more inflexible, plan on a bunch of tackling and employing precise tactical ball placement.
DCNZ
Guest
Look who's on the bench for Los Pumas Facundo Isa and Emiliano Boffelli they are going to win!
Riccardo
Roar Rookie
If anything they should be stronger over the last stanzas with Isa and Boffelli coming on. Viva Los Pumas
Ledesma seems to know who his best 23 is, four tests in total they are fresh and should make it bar injuries.
GoldenEye
Roar Rookie
Looks like the Argies are going to have a good red hot go at winning the Tri-Nations championship. No experimenting here. They'll be a great chance at Newcastle where Australian teams haven't really performed that well. Should be an exciting game.