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The line-ups for Saturday’s international friendly between the Barbarians and Argentina have been named. The fixture is to be the final one of the year for Los Pumas who are looking to complete what has been widely regarded as a very successful year.
In 2015 Argentina reached the World Cup Semi Finals for the second time in history and also completed a history-making win over South Africa in Durban during the Rugby Championship. The match against the Barbarians is now an opportunity to have some fun while preparing for what lies ahead as European based Pumas are no longer eligible for international duty.
Based on Argentina’s line-up from the Bronze Final Head Coach Daniel Hourcade has made a wide variety of changes with a combination of injuries, suspension and club duty motivating the selection.
With Agustín Creevy missing Martín Landajo will captain the side as expected while a young back-three will start after training together earlier this week. Getting his chance in place of Joaquín Tuculet is Ramiro Moyano, who missed out on selection for the Rugby Championship and World Cup. He will play opposite World Champion Nehe Milner-Skudder who won the breakthrough player of the year award.
The remaining starting Pumas were involved in the World Cup though many did not start matches during the play-offs. Replacement backs Gabriel Ascárate, Emiliano Boffelli, and Felipe Ezcurra all missed the World Cup but two of them are to play for Argentina’s Super Rugby team.
Starting for the Barbarians are a host of Super Rugby names from the past and present with the 2015 championship winning Lima Sopoaga named at flyhalf and being joined by Waisake Naholo on the right wing. A lot is expected over both players following the loss of key personal to European clubs.
Richie McCaw‘s potential replacement, Ardie Savea will start for the Barbarians. Players who have captained both Australia and South Africa in the World Cup are to start this Saturday.
BARBARIANS
1 Thomas du Toit 2 Stephen Moore 3 Charlie Faumuina 4 Lood de Jager 5 Victor Matfield (capt.) 6 Scott Fardy 7 Ardie Savea 8 Stephen Hoiles 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow 10 Lima Sopoaga 11 Nemani Nadolo 12 Ryan Crotty 13 Tevita Kuridrani 14 Waisake Naholo 15 Nehe Milner-Skudder
16 James Hanson 17 Jamie Mackintosh 18 Toby Smith 19 Bakkies Botha 20 Jarrad Butler 21 Cobus Reinach 22 Patrick Lambie 23 Francois Venter / Joe Tomane
ARGENTINA
1 Lucas Noguera Paz 2 Julián Montoya 3 Ramiro Herrera 4 Guido Petti 5 Matías Alemanno 6 Pablo Matera 7 Javier Ortega Desio 8 Facundo Isa 9 Martín Landajo (capt.) 10 Nicolás Sánchez 11 Santiago Cordero 12 Santiago González Iglesias 13 Jerónimo de la Fuente 14 Matías Moroni 15 Ramiro Moyano
16 Santiago Iglesias Valdez 17 Santiago García Botta 18 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro 19 Tomás Lezana 20 Leonardo Senatore 21 Felipe Ezcurra 22 Gabriel Ascárate 23 Emiliano Boffelli
