Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
Argentina and Tonga have named their teams for their historic Pool C match in Leicester on Sunday. This will be the first ever meeting of the two in test rugby. Both sides are coming off a win, and field strong lineups for a match that will ensure automatic qualification for RWC 2019 for the winner.
The Pumas have opted for seven changes to the team that bested Georgia in Gloucester. Ramiro Herrera replaces Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro at tight, with Guido Petti recalled in the second row. Juan Manuel Leguizamón and Facundo Isa make way for Pablo Matera and Leonardo Senatore in the back row.
Martin Landajo rotates with Tomás Cubelli at scrumhalf, and there is a new midfield combination in Jerónimo de la Fuente and Matías Moroni. Juan Pablo Orlandi and Santiago González Iglesias are new additions to the reserves list.
Tonga have switched five from the side that beat Namibia. Nili Latu is fit to resume as captain, taking the place of the outstanding Jack Ram on the flank. Elvis Taione and Halani Aulika come in for Aleki Lutui and Sila Puafisi respectively, while Lua Lokotui starts in the second row in place of injured Hale T-Pole.
The backs remain the same with the exception of Fetu’u Vainikolo’s return, pushing Tevita Halaifonua to the bench. Former Tigers favorite Steve Mafi is named on the bench along with new Leicester signing Opeti Fonua.
ARGENTINA
1 Marcos Ayerza 2 Agustín Creevy (capt.) 3 Ramiro Herrera 4 Guido Petti 5 Tomás Lavanini 6 Pablo Matera 7 Juan Fernández Lobbe 8 Leonardo Senatore 9 Martín Landajo 10 Nicolás Sánchez 11 Juan Imhoff 12 Jerónimo de la Fuente 13 Matías Moroni 14 Santiago Cordero 15 Joaquín Tuculet
16 Julián Montoya 17 Lucas Noguera Paz 18 Juan Pablo Orlandi 19 Matías Alemanno 20 Juan Manuel Leguizamón 21 Tomás Cubelli 22 Santiago González Iglesias 23 Horacio Agulla
TONGA
1 Soane Tonga’uiha 2 Elvis Taione 3 Halani Aulika 4 Lua Lokotui 5 Joe Tu’ineau 6 Sione Kalamafoni 7 Nili Latu (capt.) 8 Viliami Ma’afu 9 Tane Takulua 10 Kurt Morath 11 Fetu’u Vainikolo 12 Sione Piukala 13 Siale Piutau 14 Telusa Veainu 15 Vunga Lilo
16 Aleki Lutui 17 Sona Taumalolo 18 Sila Puafisi 19 Steve Mafi 20 Opeti Fonua 21 Samisoni Fisilau 22 Latiume Fosita 23 Tevita Halaifonua
