Match Preview – Argentina vs Georgia

The 9th and 12th ranked countries in the World Rankings meet in Jujuy on Saturday. Argentina will host Georgia, a noteworthy fixture for the sport of rugby. Not only are both countries from non-English speaking countries and from different continents but their rosters composed entirely of players born and raised at home.

This will be the fifth time the two countries meet. Three of the prior four outings have come during Rugby World Cups. In France 2007 Los Pumas had a hard match before winning 33-3. In New Zealand four years later a closer match saw Argentina coming out 25-7 winners. At the 2015 match in England a superb second half saw Los Pumas winning 54-9. The one match outside of a World Cup saw Argentina winning 29-18 in San Juan in 2013.

The match is to also see the city of San Salvador de Jujuy. The city has hosted Los Pumas in the past but never in a capped test match. Estadio 23 de Agosto was one of eight to host matches in the 2011 Copa América. With the UAR eager to play nationwide it now has the opportunity to host a rugby test match.

Argentina’s prior matches this month were in San Juan and Santa Fé. Los Pumas had their moments in attack but conceded too many points, ultimately losing the series 2-0 against England.

In looking to hit-back Head Coach Daniel Hourcade has moved his pieces to make six changes. Up front Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro starts in place of Lucas Noguera Paz at Loose Head prop. Of note is that Tetaz Chaparro played Tight Head in the 2015 fixture.

In the second-row Guido Petti replaces the injured Tomás Lavanini. Remaining changes in the forwards see an entirely new back-row. Pablo Matera, Javier Ortega Desio and Juan Manuel Leguizamón make way for Tomás Lezana, Rodrigo Báez and Leonardo Senatore. This sees a rarity of no Buenos Aires players starting in the back-row.

In the backs there is just the one change. Starting on the left wing will be Matías Moroni. A natural outside center, Moroni also started in San Juan out of position. Moroni takes the spot of Emiliano Boffelli who scored one try in each match against England.

With Lavanini missing Benjamín Macome will act as potential cover at second-row. The Tucumán No 8 last played for Argentina in 2015. On that occasion he played out of position in the second-row.

Also on the bench is the uncapped Germán Schulz. Should he receive game time the Los Pumas 7’s player will become the 853rd Puma.

While the pressure in firmly on Argentina, Georgia is riding the wave of success. In Europe the Lelos continue to be the strongest team outside of the Six Nations. Based on rankings Georgia is also ranked higher than Italy.

This weekend’s match is the third of three tests for Georgia on tour. The previous two were both wins for the Eastern Europeans. Georgia shut-out Canada in Calgary and held-off the USA in Atlanta. This sees a Pumas win being far from a forgone conclusion.

Georgia’s team for Jujuy also features six changes. In the front-row the one change sees Soso Bekoshvili starting in place of Levan Chilachava. Remaining alterations in the forwards see Otar Giorgadze and Lasha Lomidze starting in the back-row. They replace Lasha Lomidze and Beka Bitsadze respectively.

In the backs Georgia enter with one new winger as the large figure of Tamaz Mchedlidze replaces Giorgi Koshadze. Veterans Davit Kacharava and Merab Kvirikashvili continue at outside center and fullback.

Georgia’s scrum caused Argentina severe problems in Gloucester. More recently the Lelos created havoc for both Canada and the USA. This one area has been addressed by Hourcade in training this week. Tetaz Chaparro and Pieretto both starting underlines the tactic to counter Georgia.

Previous results suggest Argentina ought to win comfortably. Recent activity, though, implies this match may be close similar to that of the 2013 fixture. With Los Pumas packed with Super Rugby players they are expected to ultimately come home strong.

ARGENTINA
1 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, 2 Agustín Creevy (capt.), 3 Enrique Pieretto, 4 Matías Alemanno, 5 Guido Petti, 6 Tomás Lezana, 7 Rodrigo Báez, 8 Leonardo Senatore, 9 Martín Landajo, 10 Nicolás Sánchez, 11 Matías Moroni, 12 Jerónimo de la Fuente, 13 Matías Orlando, 14 Ramiro Moyano, 15 Joaquín Tuculet

Replacements: 16 Julián Montoya, 17 Lucas Noguera Paz, 18 Ramiro Herrera, 19 Pablo Matera, 20 Benjamín Macome, 21 Gonzalo Bertranou, 22 Santiago González Iglesias, 23 Germán Schulz

GEORGIA
1 Mikheil Nariashvili, 2 Jaba Bregvadze, 3 Soso Bekoshvili, 4 Giorgi Nemsadze, 5 Kote Mikautadze, 6 Otar Giorgadze, 7 Vito Kolelishvili, 8 Lasha Lomidze, 9 Vaso Lobzhanidze, 10 Lasha Khmaladze, 11 Sandro Todua, 12 Merab Sharikadze, 13 Davit Kacharava, 14 Tamaz Mchedlidze, 15 Merab Kvirikashvili

Replacements: 16 Shalva Mamukashvili, 17 Tornike Mataradze, 18 Anton Peikrishvili, 19 Giorgi Chkhaidze, 20 Giorgi Tsutskiridze, 21 Giorgi Begadze, 22 Lasha Malaguradze, 23 Soso Matiashvili

Date: Saturday, June 24
Venue: Estadio 23 de Agosto, Jujuy
Kickoff: 16:15 local (12:15 PT, 15:15 ET)
Referee: Luke Pearce (RFU)
Assistants: John Lacey (IRFU) & Egon Seconds (SARU)
TMO: Aaron Paterson (NZRU)
Broadcasts: ESPN 2