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In the opening match of a busy Saturday Argentina face Tonga in Osaka. Both sides were beaten in their opening fixtures with Argentina falling 23-21 to France; and Tonga losing 35-3 against England. Both now must win to remain alive in RWC Pool C.
Argentina Head Coach Mario Ledesma has made four changes to his side. They come in a two-two split between the forwards and backs with three players who were criticized against France not having been retained.
At fly half Benjamín Urdapilleta earns his first test start under Ledesma and his first since June 2013. He will play outside Tomás Cubelli with Nicolás Sánchez covering him from the bench.Centers Jerónimo de la Fuente, and Matías Orlando have been retained.
In the back-three Emiliano Boffelli, and Matías Moroni retain their places while Santiago Carreras will earn his first test start as he takes over from Ramiro Moyano on the left wing.
Up front Julián Montoya replaces Agustín Creevy at hooker while Tomás Lezana gets a start at the back of the scrum with Javier Ortega Desio dropping to the bench. For Lezana it is a prime opportunity to earn a starting spot against England.
Tonga Head Coach Toutai Kefu has made more changes than has Ledesma. The alterations are a combination of selection and responding to injuries. Ruled out of the tournament is former Utah Warriors fly half Kurt Morath.
Taking over from Morath will be James Faiva. He played 30 minutes against England in Sapporo. He will play outside goal-kicking scrum-half Tane Takulua and inside captain Siale Piutau who moves from outside center to inside center enabling Mali Hingano to start.
Completing the backline will be David Halaifonua, Viliami Lolohea, and Telusa Veainu. It is to be the first game of the tournament for Veainu who will start at fullback. This sees Halaifonua moving from the back to the left wing.
In the forwards Kefu has opted for continuity. Of the eight who started against England seven have been retained against Argentina. The one change comes at hooker with Paula Ngauamo replacing Sosefo Sakalia.
Saturday’s game in Osaka is to be just the second test match between Argentina and Tonga. The first took place four years ago in Leicester, England as a pool match during RWC 2015. On that occasion Los Pumas were 45-16 winners.
Argentina enter the match as favorites to win by a similar margin to that from RWC 2015. ARN predicts a South American victory by 30 points.
TEAMS
ARGENTINA
1 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, 2 Julián Montoya, 3 Juan Figallo, 4 Guido Petti, 5 Tomás Lavanini, 6 Pablo Matera (capt.), 7 Marcos Kremer, 8 Tomás Lezana, 9 Tomás Cubelli, 10 Benjamín Urdapilleta, 11 Santiago Carreras, 12 Jerónimo de la Fuente, 13 Matías Orlando, 14 Matías Moroni, 15 Emiliano Boffelli
Replacements: 16 Agustín Creevy, 17 Mayco Vivas, 18 Santiago Medrano, 19 Matías Alemanno, 20 Javier Ortega Desio, 21 Felipe Ezcurra, 22 Nicolás Sánchez, 23 Bautista Delguy
TONGA
1 Siegfried Fisi’ihoi, 2 Paula Ngauamo, 3 Ben Tameifuna, 4 Sam Lousi, 5 Leva Fifita, 6 Sione Kalamafoni, 7 Zane Kapeli, 8 Ma’ama Vaipulu, 9 Tane Takulua, 10 James Faiva, 11 David Halaifonua, 12 Siale Piutau (capt.), 13 Mali Hingano, 14 Viliami Lolohea, 15 Telusa Veainu
Replacements: 16 Sefo Sakalia, 17 Vunipola Fifita, 18 Ma’afu Fia, 19 Steve Mafi, 20 Nasi Manu, 21 Leon Fukofuka, 22 Latiume Fosita, 23 Cooper Vuna
Date: Saturday, September 28
Kick-Off: 13:45pm Japan (Friday 21:45 Pacific, 00:45 Eastern, 01:45 Rio de la Plata)
Venue: Hanazono Rugby Stadium, Osaka
Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
Assistant Referees: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand), Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand)
TMO: Rowan Kitt (England)
Broadcasts: ESPN 3 (Latin/South America), NBCSN (USA), TSN 5 (Canada)
