Pumas Counting the Cost of Injury

Argentina’s gutsy victory over South Africa yesterday took the team’s resources to the limit. While the talking point was that a third choice goal kicker landed the winning points this was not the real story. Rather it was a team with mounting casualties which forced many replacements to play out of position.

Lucas González Amorosino was the first to be brought on, replacing Manuel Montero at the midway stage of the match. Both Guido Petti and Santiago González Iglesias joined in the 45th minute, also motivated by injuries.

A tactical change saw Julián Montoya replacing Agustín Creevy in the 60th minute. At the same point Matías Orlando was replaced by Tomás Cubelli. Kneehole Tetaz Chaparro and Juan Manuel Leguizamón left after 64 minutes which saw Lucas Noguera Paz and Javier Ortega Desio entering. Three minutes later center Juan Martín Hernández exited for the final henchman, prop Enrique Pieretto.

The loss of players forced Argentina to dig deep. It meant Martín Landajo played fly half, Ramiro Herrera played second-row, Guido Petti played flanker and Javier Desio Ortega played center. Their spirit proved strong as they completed the win.

Post match the injury count was revealed. Those in doubt to be named for the next match are Manuel Montero, Tomás Lavanini, Nicolás Sánchez and Juan Martín Hernández.

1. Manuel Montero is deemed to have suffered a probable muscular injury to his thigh. Specifically it is his left adductor magnus muscle which requires a thorough evaluation.
2. Tomás Lavanini has a sprained left knee. He will undergo studies in Buenos Aires over the coming days to determine his availability for the upcoming games in Hamilton, New Zealand and Perth, Australia.
3. Nicolás Sánchez suffered a head injury which included losing consciousness. He also suffered wounds to his lower lip.
4. Juan Martín Hernández suffered skull trauma. He suffered from a loss of consciousness and all wounds to his ear.

Argentina’s next Rugby Championship match will be away to New Zealand. With there being no match next weekend all players have time to prove their fitness. A failure to do so will see alterations to the roster. The possibility of players joining from Argentina and Europe both exist.