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The World Cup Watch series identifies the players most likely to represent their respective countries at the next RWC. The current edition analysis the situation following the completion of international duty in 2020.
Mario Ledesma took 45 players to Australia for the Tri Nations. Not every player received game time in test matches, though opportunities did exist in the warm-ups. Ledesma became head coach following the June 2018 internationals. During his time in charge 56 players have played for Los Pumas.
All eligible players are considered. There is no priority given to where a player is based. As such, there are players based in Argentina, Australia, and Europe in the projected first choice team.
ARGENTINA
| ## | NAME | CLUB | POS | CAPS |
PROJECTED FIRST CHOICE
| 1 | Mayco Vivas | Jaguares | LH | 11 |
| 2 | Julián Montoya | Western Force (AU) | HK | 61 |
| 3 | Francisco Gómez Kodela | Lyon (FR) | TH | 13 |
| 4 | Guido Petti | Bordeaux (FR) | LO | 56 |
| 5 | Tomás Lavanini | Leicester Tigers (UK) | LO | 56 |
| 6 | Pablo Matera | Stade Français (FR) | FL | 69 |
| 7 | Marcos Kremer | Stade Français (FR) | FL | 31 |
| 8 | Facundo Isa | Toulon (FR) | N8 | 29 |
| 9 | Gonzalo Bertranou | Jaguares | SH | 28 |
| 10 | Domingo Miotti | Western Force (AU) | FH | 1 |
| 11 | Emiliano Boffelli | Jaguares | WI | 30 |
| 12 | Santiago Chocobares | Jaguares | CE | 2 |
| 13 | Juan Cruz Mallía | Jaguares | CE | 6 |
| 14 | Bautista Delguy | Bordeaux (FR) | WI | 16 |
| 15 | Santiago Carreras | Jaguares | FB / WI | 8 |
A range of variables have been considered to determine the projected first choice line-up. First, game time in the 2020 Tri Nations is central. Second, performance in the competition. Third, the players ages in 2023 have shaped considerations in most positions. Fourth, the demonstrated game plan of a solid set-piece, ball-control, defensive stability and individual abilities have been considered.
Mayco Vivas, Julián Montoya and Francisco Gómez Kodela are listed as the starting front-row. They will be aged 25, 29 and 38 when RWC 2023 begins. Ledesma was 38 at RWC 2011. In other words, Gómez Kodela may make the roster despite his age. This is because the other tight heads fielded by Ledesma this year were evidently inferior in the scrum.
Guido Petti and Tomás Lavanini are projected to be the starting second-row for a third RWC. They will be aged 28 and 30 come RWC 2023. Continuity is also projected on the side of the scrum. Pablo Matera and Marcos Kremer are well-placed to retain their spots. Facundo Isa competes the forwards at N8. He will be 30-years-old.
Incumbents Tomás Cubelli and Nicolás Sánchez will be 34-years-olds. The projected halves combination is changed in large part for this reason. Gonzalo Bertranou and Domingo Miotti may earn plenty of caps between now and then; both may be first choice well before RWC 2023 kicks-off.
The projected mid-field is different to 2019. Jeronimo de la Fuente, Matías Orlando and Matías Orlando will be aged 32 in 2023. Santiago Chocobares and Juan Cruz Mallía will be 27 and 24.
Juan Imhoff’s return for the Tri Nations was on merit. At 32 today, the likelihood of him playing wing in 2023 are limited, but lower than at present. Bautista Delguy and Santiago Carreras appear to have secured places in the starting back-three. Emiliano Boffelli presently completes the projected line-up.
PROJECTED REPLACEMENTS
| 16 | Santiago Socino | Jaguares | HK | 4 |
| 17 | Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro | Jaguares | LH | 61 |
| 18 | Joel Sclavi | Jaguares | TH | – |
| 19 | Matías Alemanno | Gloucester (UK) | LO | 64 |
| 20 | Santiago Grondona | Jaguares | FL | 4 |
| 21 | Tomás Cubelli | Western Force (AU) | SH | 76 |
| 22 | Nicolás Sánchez | Stade Français (FR) | FH | 83 |
| 23 | Santiago Cordero | Bordeaux (FR) | FB | 38 |
Age is not on Agustín Creevy’s side. Ledesma took four hookers to Australia and three of them played. Of them Santiago Socino was the preferred replacement. Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro was the starting loose head, though Mayco Vivas’ progress has him projected ahead of Tetaz Chaparro. Tetaz Chaparro thereby is named on the bench. Joel Sclavi completes the replacement front-rowers. He impressed in the scrum for Jaguares in 2020. Injury saw him unable to play for Argentina.
Córdoba’s Matías Alemanno will be 31 come RWC 2023. A third RWC is probable for the second-rower. If selected it would be a first for Santiago Grondona. He proved to be a test match level player in the Tri Nations. His showing sees him projected to be ahead of established Pumas.
Ledesma has used variety in his replacements. Notwithstanding, for RWC 2023 an orthodox bench is projected. This means a replacement scrum half, fly half and outside back. The three names are established, but the first and second will be 34.
PROJECTED TRAVELING RESERVES
| 24 | Facundo Bosch | La Rochelle (FR) | HK | 2 |
| 25 | Juan Pablo Zeiss | Ceibos | TH | 7 |
| 26 | Lucas Paulos | Brive (FR) | LO | 2 |
| 27 | Francisco Gorrissen | Jaguares | FL | 3 |
| 28 | Rodrigo Bruni | Jaguares | N8 | 6 |
| 29 | Tomás Albornoz | Jaguares | FH | – |
| 30 | Jerónimo de la Fuente | Perpignan (FR) | CE | 55 |
| 31 | Lucio Cinti | Pumas Sevens | CE | – |
It is likely that two rather than three scrum halves will be on the roster. This decision will shape the remainder of the projected traveling reserves. It means a split of five forwards and three backs.
Facundo Bosch is included as the third choice hooker and Juan Pablo Zeiss as a prop who can play at both tight head and loose head. A late-bloomer, Zeiss has has improved over time. He performed well at the age of 31 for Argentina in 2020.
Lucas Paulos, Francisco Gorrissen, and Rodrigo Bruni are projected as cover for second-row, flanker and N8. They have positioned themselves as favored over other options.
Tomás Albornoz traveled to Australia as the third choice fly half. He did not play, yet he was included ahead of European-based players. Jerónimo de la Fuente had a strong match against Australia, though Santiago Chocobares is projected to be the starting inside center. de la Fuente’s place on the 31-man roster is expected. He is a potential captain against a Tier 2 pool opponent. Finally, Lucio Cinti offers the precise utility that selectors seek; he can play center and in the back-three.
PROJECTED NON-TRAVELING RESERVES
| 32 | José Luis González | Ceibos | HK | – |
| 33 | Ignacio Calles | Pau (FR) | LH | – |
| 34 | Enrique Pieretto | Glasgow Warriors (UK) | TH | 24 |
| 35 | Rodrigo Fernández Criado | Ceibos | LO | – |
| 36 | Tomás Lezana | Western Force (AU) | FL | 39 |
| 37 | Joaquín Oviedo | Pumitas | N8 | – |
| 38 | Gonzalo García | Ceibos | SH | – |
| 39 | Teo Castiglioni | Ceibos | FH | – |
| 40 | Lucas Mensa | Valence Romans (FR) | CE | 3 |
| 41 | Matías Orlando | Newcastle Falcons (UK) | CE | 46 |
| 42 | Juan Imhoff | Racing 92 (FR) | WI | 35 |
| 43 | Ignacio Mendy | Pumas Sevens | FB | – |
The majority of next-in-line players are uncapped. There has been a turnover of players in 2020 and there will be more in 2021-2023. Two are capped and the remainder all proved themselves at u20s level. Imhoff could be in the roster, and even starting. He may be what Adam Ashley-Cooper was for Australia at RWC 2019. Imhoff will thus be one to keep a close eye on in 2021-2023.
