Pedemonte and Oviedo ruled out of South American 4 Nations

Bautista Pedemonte and Leonel Oviedo are out of the South American 4 Nations. Neither will be fit to play for the Argentina XV for the two remaining matches. The Argentina XV will face the Brazil XV on Wednesday, and the Uruguay XV on Sunday.

Both Pedemonte and Oviedo played on Saturday. The pair were in the starting line-up against the Chile XV. Pedemonte played N8 and Oviedo hooker. The latter scored the opening try for the Argentina XV.

The players both suffered knee injuries against the Chile XV. Pedemonte will return to Argentina on Monday, while Oviedo will remain with the team in Montevideo. No player will arrive as a replacement for either injured athlete.

Oviedo’s non-availability will see Martín Vaca making his Argentina XV debut. The teenager will join Ignacio Ruiz as the two match-day hookers to face the Brazil XV and the Uruguay XV.

The loss of Pedemonte may mean Javier Ortega Desio reverts from flanker to N8. Such a move may see Juan Cruz Pérez Rachel or Santiago Ruiz joining Lautaro Bavaro on th side of the scrum. Alternatively, they may both start.