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A match with huge implications for the title takes place in the eastern city of Maldonado on Saturday. As we reach the midpoint of the Americas Rugby Championship two sides with dreams of glory collide at the Estadio Domingo Burgueño where Uruguay host the Argentina XV.
Not two months into 2018 and it’s already been a marvelous year for Los Teros, who booked their spot at the 2019 World Cup by defeating Canada on successive weekends. The celebration hangover nearly cost them dearly against Brazil but they recuperated just in time to escape São Paulo with a win.
The Argentines have not showered themselves in such glory. A disappointing performance against the USA saw them suffer their first ever ARC defeat and while the score was one-sided in Ushuaia, the Argentina XV did not look at their best against a shoestring Chilean side.
As is tradition for the development side their roster has again been shuffled, with Felipe Contepomi retaining only three of the team that started at the Estadio Agustín Pichot. The changes do not reflect a downgrade in personnel. In fact on paper this is arguably Contepomi’s strongest available side.
Francisco Ferronato and Benjamín Espinal return at prop with Axel Zapata on the bench and Lucas Favre surprisingly left out completely. The second row gets a considerable upgrade in bulk with Ignacio Larrague recalled at the expense of Jerónimo Ureta. Lautaro Bavaro returns as captain in an impressive loose forward trio that includes Francisco Gorrissen and Pumas prospect Rodrigo Bruni.
The addition of hard-hitting Santiago Álvarez makes it three Olympics in a potent back division along with wingers Rodrigo Etchart and Germán Schulz. Left out of the Jaguares touring squad, Álvarez adds bite to the midfield beside recalled Juan Cappiello. Luca Magnasco is restored at scrumhalf and Juan Cruz Mallía makes it three different fullbacks in three games.
After the slow start at Pacaembu on Friday, the extra day’s rest will have refreshed Los Teros but Esteban Meneses has not been complacent with selection. Recalled after a week off are three of his big guns in the backfield – Nicolás Freitas, Andrés Vilaseca, and Leandro Leivas.
At the halfbacks it’s the combination that finished the match against Brazil that runs out against Argentina. Germán Albanell switches to his preferred flyhalf spot and 21-year-old Tomás Inciarte makes his first senior start after a try-scoring introduction as a replacement last week.
Up front there is a blow with the loss of first choice hooker German Kessler, meaning Carlos Pombo starts for the first time and new cap Diego de Pazos is called to the bench. The changes to not end there. Mario Sagario and captain Juan Manuel Gaminara are benched with Juan Echeverría and Manuel Diana promoted to the starting lineup.
Alejandro Nieto wears the skipper’s armband for the 8th time and Diego Magno becomes the first player to reach 80 appearances for Los Teros. Rodolfo Garese switches to the openside flank to accommodate Diana and has the unusual task of covering lock with loose forward Juan Diego Ormaechea preferred to Diego Ayala among the reserves.
In terms of title contention this is a must-win for both sides. Uruguay have a perfect record this far and will fancy their chances at home to both Argentina and the USA. The Argentina XV have already lost to the Eagles and will need a bonus point win and some help from Los Teros later on to have any hope of wrestling the trophy back from the North Americans.
Los Teros have never beaten the Argentina XV in their two Americas Rugby Championship meetings but they did win at Charrúa in 2015 and pushed them to the brink in Colonia last September. Uruguay’s confidence has never been higher and if ever there was a moment for another upset, now would be the time. This should prove a highly entertaining contest with the result likely to be uncertain until the final moments of the match
URUGUAY
1 Mateo Sanguinetti, 2 Carlos Pombo, 3 Juan Echeverría, 4 Ignacio Dotti, 5 Diego Magno, 6 Rodolfo Garese, 7 Manuel Diana, 8 Alejandro Nieto (capt.), 9 Tomás Inciarte, 10 Germán Albanell, 11 Nicolás Freitas, 12 Andrés Vilaseca, 13 Juan Manuel Cat, 14 Leandro Leivas, 15 Rodrigo Silva
Replacements: 16 Matías Benítez, 17 Diego de Pazos, 18 Mario Sagario, 19 Juan Diego Ormaechea, 20 Juan Manuel Gaminara, 21 Joaquín Prada, 22 Gastón Mieres, 23 Andrés De León
ARGENTINA XV
1 Francisco Ferronato, 2 Diego Fortuny, 3 Benjamín Espinal, 4 Diego Galetto, 5 Ignacio Larrague, 6 Francisco Gorrissen, 7 Lautaro Bavaro (capt.), 8 Rodrigo Bruni, 9 Luca Magnasco, 10 Juan Cruz González, 11 Rodrigo Etchart, 12 Juan Cappiello, 13 Santiago Álvarez, 14 Germán Schulz, 15 Juan Cruz Mallía
Replacements: 16 Gaspar Baldunciel, 17 Axel Zapata, 18 Santiago Medrano, 19 Santiago Portillo, 20 Santiago Montagner, 21 Gregorio del Prete, 22 Lucas Mensa, 23 Tomás Videla
Date: Saturday, February 17
Venue: Estadio Domingo Burgueño, Maldonado
Kickoff: 21:15 local (16:15 Pacific, 19:15 Eastern)
Referee: Henrique Platais (CBRu)
Broadcasts: TSN5 (Canada), ESPN3 (South America), World Rugby (Stream)
