Moving the Pieces as Pumas look to rebound

Finding a balance between improving on what was an underwhelming performance in Christchurch and building for the World Cup is the task Los Pumas Head Coach Daniel Hourcade is setting himself this week. Prior to the Rugby Championship getting underway he made it known that players were going to be rotated. As such five chances as a minimum should be expected for Mendoza.

Many involved in the 2014 win are currently preparing again for this weekend’s match in the same city but the team taking the field will be different. Not only will rotation play a part but so to will selection with numerous starters from the All Blacks test potentially being left out.

Hourcade will name his team tomorrow and below is a position breakdown outlining what to expect.

Front-row

The Pumas front-row was unable to perform to the expected level in the scrum department which saw New Zealand turning-over ball and Facundo Isa picking up from the back while under pressure. New Zealand’s tactic of scrummaging with a low body-position proved to be highly effective.

In general play the starting props Marcos Ayerza and Ramiro Herrera were a mixed bag. Ayerza played with his usual heavy work-load but did not play to his peak. Herrera, in contrast, played a nervous match missing five tackles. His replacement, the shorter, Francisco Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro also suffered in the scrums but had a stronger performance around the park.

Captain Agustín Creevy was one of the top three Pumas on the night. After scoring his second try Creevy was replaced by Julián Montoya in a tactical move to enable Creevy to start in Mendoza. He is likely to be joined again by Ayerza and Herrera but Montoya could very well be rotated with Santiago Iglesias Valdez.

Second-row

Guido Petti and Manuel Carizza started against the All Blacks and were, as a combination, arguably Argentina’s greatest asset. Both players tackled with force and accuracy and showed speed to provide support as ball-carriers and in the cleaning out of rucks. Neither player, however, was a part of the 2014 Rugby Championship but both took steps towards securing places in the World Cup squad.

Hourcade opted to play without a specialist on the bench which saw Benjamín Macome providing cover. Change is certain in Mendoza with Tomás Lavanini expected to start and either Carizza or Matías Alemanno joining him with the other on the bench.

Back-row

Former Argentine captain Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe led the back-row well and had a solid game overall. Also playing well was Rugby Championship debutant Facundo Isa who proved to be up to the required standard at this level. Their partner Juan Manuel Leguizamón was less effective in Christchurch and would appear likely to miss Mendoza.

Replacing Leguizamón early in the second-half was Javier Ortega Desio who challenged Creevy on the night to be Argentina’s best ball-carrying forward. His impact was evident and highly positive. A test start against the Wallabies is now expected with Leguizamón possibly also missing the bench in favor of one of Macome, Pablo Matera or Leonardo Senatore.

Halves

The debate over who is better served to be Argentina’s starting scrum-half is far from over. Tomás Cubelli closed out 2014 in control of the 9 shirt but in Christchurch Martín Landajo provided greater direction and made the only linebreak for Argentina in the match. He is close to being a certain starter in Mendoza.

Joining Landajo will be Nicolás Sánchez who was the first to admit he played poorly in Christchurch. Hourcade is to keep the faith and retain Sánchez at fly half who has otherwise consistently delivered. Part of the reason is that Juan Martín Hernández is likely to start against South Africa in the away test and do so at fly half.

Centers

Playing against Sonny-Bill Williams and Ma’a Nonu the Pumas mid-field of Jerónimo De la Fuente and Marcelo Bosch was outplayed. The All Blacks were able to advance consistently and break the line as well as produce off-loads and provide support for their wingers. Of greater significant, however, was the Pumas mid-field attack. De la Fuente ran-hard and put in a good touch-finding kick but Bosch was pedestrian.

Neither player broke the defensive line which, for centers, is perhaps the raison d’être. In starting De la Fuente Sánchez was the lone pivot starting which has, in the past, harmed Argentina. Sánchez with Hernández outside him works but is not expected in Mendoza. Instead Juan Pablo Socino is likely to make his test debut.

Socino was in Christchurch but did not play as was the case with Matías Moroni who could make his Rugby Championship debut in place of Bosch. Alternatively Hourcade may opt for Agulla or De la Fuente in which case Santiago González Iglesias is again likely to be on the bench.

Back-Three

Of Argentina’s starting back-three the best performer was Rugby Championship debutant Santiago Cordero. He was not given an opportunity to shine as an attacker but did showed notably more speed than Agulla and was not guilty of having backs score against him.

The ball found it’s way more to Agulla who often took two to bring him down but was ineffective at gaining ground and could not find a way to off-load in the tackle. At the back Joaquín Tuculet was not the threat he had been in 2014 but left early with a minor injury. His replacement, Lucas González Amorosino was steady and should be on the bench again in Mendoza.

Prior to the Rugby Championship Hourcade made his desire clear to start Gonzalo Camacho against the Wallabies. He is therefore extremely likely to play right wing with Juan Imhoff playing in place of Cordero. Imhoff had been a surprise omission from Christchurch but is not likely to miss Mendoza. The loss of Manuel Montero makes Cordero and Imhoff Hourcade’s two natural left wingers.