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Argentina have suffered an injury setback. Jerónimo de la Fuente is out of the opening two Tri Nations matches. He will miss Saturday’s warm-up match against Australia XV and test matches against New Zealand and Australia on November 14 and 21.
The 29-year-old has 54 caps for Argentina. He started in all four matches for Los Pumas at RWC 2019. He did so in combination with Matías Orlando against France in Tokyo; Tonga in Osaka; and England in Tokyo. Changes for the final match saw de la Fuente and Juan Cruz Mallía forming the mid-field against the USA in Kumagaya.
In all RWC 2019 matches de la Fuente started at inside center. He played outside center prior to the tournament, doing so in combination with Lucas Mensa in the centers. Both Mallía and Mensa are on the roster. The remaining inside center option is Santiago Chocobares.
Mallía has five caps for Argentina. The 24-year-old has been an understudy to de la Fuente at Los Jaguares. He started in tandem with Santiago Chocobares against the Stormers. Mallía was also the starting inside center against the Reds, and Lions. On both occasions he formed the mid-field together with Matías Moroni.
Mensa was not on the initial player roster for the Rugby Championship. He was called-up as a replacement for Joaquín Díaz Bonilla. The Leicester Tigers fly half was unable to fly to Australia due to problems with UK documentation.
Chocobares is uncapped. The 21-year-old is presently being groomed as an option in both center positions. He is likely to make his test debut this month in Australia. Mallía looms as the starting inside center. Chocobares may play outside him due to Matías Orlando’s fitness and Moroni missing the tournament.
