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Emiliano Boffelli will not play for Argentina on Saturday. The outside back was unable to train on Monday and did not recover in time for Tuesday (Australian time). As a result he will not play in the Tri Nations debut against New Zealand.
Losing Boffelli is a blow. He is among Argentina’s leading players from recent years. Mario Ledesma has options at his disposal; seven in total covering the back-three. Argentina’s roster contains unprecedented riches of outside backs.
Among the players are three based in France. Boffelli and three others remain contracted to the UAR. This may not remain the case as Boffelli has been linked to Racing 92 and Santiago Carreras to the Western Force.
Carreras and Boffelli were starters for Argentina at RWC 2019. The former played wing and the latter fullback. Their roles were reversed for Super Rugby this year. It remained so for the recent warm-up matches vs the Australia XV.
Indications are that Carreras will play fullback on Saturday. He trained in the position on Monday and Tuesday (Australian time). Imhoff trained on the left wing and Bautista Delguy on the right wing. Santiago Cordero looms as the replacement outside back.
Los Pumas’ match against New Zealand on Saturday will be their first since RWC 2019. It is the first of four matches in the Tri Nations. The tournament replaces the Rugby Championship this year. South Africa pulled-out of competing in the competition due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
