Pumas chosen to face New Zealand

Martín Landajo will start at scrumhalf in place of Tomás Cubelli in one of three changes to the Pumas team to face New Zealand at Estadio José Amalfitani in Buenos Aires on Saturday. Guido Petti has recovered from injury to take his place in the second row, with Javier Ortega Desio switching to the flank. Ramiro Moyano is given his first test ever Rugby Championship start – and first against a Tier 1 nation – on the left wing in place of Lucas González Amorosino.

Further changes are also observed on the bench. Juan Manuel Leguizamón drops out of the starting lineup along with Cubelli. Matías Orlando retains his place as an outside back reserve but Gabriel Ascárate misses out with Jerónimo de la Fuente fit again to take a spot as midfield backup.

Argentina fared well against the All Blacks for the best part of an hour during their match at FMG Stadium, but ultimately a collapse in the final quarter saw New Zealand runaway winners by a score of 57-22. Los Pumas have never defeated New Zealand, their best ever result a 21-all draw in 1985 at the Estadio Arquitecto Ricardo Etcheverri in Buenos Aires.

ARGENTINA
1 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro 2 Agustín Creevy (capt.) 3 Ramiro Herrera 4 Guido Petti 5 Matías Alemanno 6 Pablo Matera 7 Javier Ortega Desio 8 Facundo Isa 9 Martín Landajo 10 Nicolás Sánchez 11 Ramiro Moyano 12 Santiago González Iglesias 13 Matías Moroni 14 Santiago Cordero 15 Joaquín Tuculet

Reserves: 16 Julián Montoya 17 Lucas Noguera Paz 18 Enrique Pieretto 19 Juan Manuel Leguizamón 20 Leonardo Senatore 21 Tomás Cubelli 22 Jerónimo de la Fuente 23 Matías Orlando