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Firm evidence appeared this morning that rugby is evolving in Argentina. Against the Kings on Friday all Santiago del Estero back-row is to Start for Los Jaguares in a Super Rugby match.
When Los Pumas shook-up the rugby establishment in 2007 the World Cup roster featured only four players who were not from Buenos Aires. Of them one was Juan Manuel Leguizamón. Now aged 32 the former London Irish, Stade Français and Lyon flanker will be joined by two players from his home club of Santiago Lawn Tennis in the northern city of Santiago del Estero.
Leguizamón replaces Javier Ortega Desio to join Tomás Lezana and Facundo Isa in the starting back-row. The alteration is one of five changes to the starting lineup from that which lost against the Lions last Saturday in Johannesburg.
Back to lead the team is hooker Agustín Creevy. he is to join Santiago García Botta and Ramiro Herrera in the front-row. The trio is equal to that which is likely to start for Los Pumas against Italy next month. Behind them against the Kings will be Guido Petti and Tomás Lavanini. Petti comes in for Matías Alemanno who drops to the bench.
The halves combination of Martín Landajo and Nicolás Sánchez has been retained as has Juan Martín Hernández at inside center. But outside him will be Super Rugby debutant Segundo Tuculet, the younger brother of fullback Joaquín Tuculet.
Segundo Tuculet takes over from Matías Orlando who has moved to the right wing for Friday’s match. Emiliano Boffelli will play left wing. The inexperience is explained by both Matías Moroni and Santiago Cordero having been on Los Pumas 7’s duty and injury to Manuel Montero.
Of the reserves Felipe Excurra is to be given a rare opportunity ahead of Gonzalo Bertranou. He joins the more experienced Santiago González Iglesias and Ramiro Moyano as the three replacement backs.
LOS JAGUARES
1 Santiago García Botta, 2 Agustín Creevy, 3 Ramiro Herrera, 4 Guido Petti, 5 Tomás Lavanini, 6 Tomás Lezana, 7 Juan Manuel Leguizamón, 8 Facundo Isa, 9 Martín Landajo, 10 Nicolás Sánchez, 11 Emiliano Boffelli, 12 Juan Martín Hernández, 13 Segundo Tuculet, 14 Matías Orlando, 15 Joaquín Tuculet
Replacements: 16 Julián Montoya, 17 Facundo Gigena, 18 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, 19 Matías Alemanno, 20 Javier Ortega Desio, 21 Felipe Ezcurra, 22 Santiago González Iglesias, 23 Ramiro Moyano
