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The fallout from this morning’s defeat in Canberra sees more problems than solutions. Both of the starting Pumas wingers have been hit with injuries, leaving Daniel Hourcade with more to do than simply find a way to victory.
The starting back-three in Canberra was 11 Ramiro Moyano, 14 Matías Moroni and 15 Emiliano Boffelli. Manuel Montero was the replacement winger and he came on at halftime. Montero’s appearance was his first for over a year for his country. It came after injury complications which saw him missing virtually all of Los Jaguares’ 2018 Super Rugby campaign.
Montero’s introduction into the game against Australia was due to injury. Ramiro Moyano was diagnosed as having broken his right arm in the first half. The injury sees him requiring surgery and is officially out of rugby for six weeks. This will make it touch-and-go for a place on the November tour to Europe.
Argentina’s tour matches this year are to be against England, Italy and Ireland. The 2016 tour to Japan, England, Wales and Scotland also wingers plagued by injuries. Both Montero and Moyano were unable to play.
Matías Moroni, naturally a center, was used on the wing in 2016. This happened again in Canberra this morning with him moving from 13 where he played against New Zealand last weekend. Santiago Cordero was the starting right winger against the All Blacks with Boffelli playing left wing.
The combination may be used for the upcoming home matches. Argentina face New Zealand and Australia in Buenos Aires and Mendoza in rounds 5 and 6 of the Rugby Championship. Moroni is expected to be declared fit for these game but is to firstly undergo tests in Buenos Aires upon returning from Australia.
Argentina will welcome back Joaquín Tuculet for their remaining games. The fullback missed out on playing in Canberra due to returning home for the birth of his daughter. Both Tuculet and Boffelli will be considered for the fullback role for Argentina’s next match. For now the fit options for wing are Boffelli, Cordero and Montero.
