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Argentina will play host to Scotland in a three-match-series in July. The test matches wil be the first under Michael Cheika. The former Wallabies coach has the task of turning around Los Pumas’ fortunes in time to peak at RWC 2023.
There are two reasons that suggest rookies may feature in July. For the most part, Cheika will have few selection headaches; there is depth in most positions and more than most players are firmly established. There are, however, positions that did not see players holding firm control in 2021. The first reason is simply that of individual form.
The second is that the needs of the team for 2021 will also enable the opportunity for some to get a look-in for July. The long European club season provides no quarter. Players went directly from international duty with Argentina in 2021 to their clubs. Some will require a rest and recovery period before the Rugby Championship.
Getting through July may require a balanced approach. Indeed, Santiago Chocobares, Santiago Cordero, Jerónimo de la Fuente, Marcos Kremer, Matías Moroni, and Guido Petti have all suffered recent injuries. They are examples of players that Cheika will want fully-fit for the Rugby Championship.
Joel Sclavi
Four loose head props debuted for Argentina in 2021 but only one tight head prop debuted. Francisco Gómez Kodela is firmly at the top of the tight head list to start in big matches. Competition to be his understudy is open with Eduardo Bello, Santiago Medrano, Enrique Pieretto all used in 2021. ARN projects Joel Sclavi to make his test debut in 2022. His frame in the scrum may prove to be a weapon. The La Rochelle front-rower ought to get an opportunity in July against Scotland.
Bautista Pedemonte
Argentina have a wealth of depth to consider for flanker and N8. In the latter, the French-based Rodrigo Bruni and Facundo Isa, and Joaquín Oviedo all featured for Argentina in 2021. As did Crusader Pablo Matera. Before Bautista Pedemonte arrives at his new home in Vannes, Cheika could well want him on the test match roster. There will not be a better time for Pedemonte to press for Pumas duty nor will there for Cheika to analyze the options.
Tomás Albornoz
Who is Argentina’s starting fly half? Based on 2021 the answer is Santaigo Carreras. The speedster from Córdoba played wing and fullback for Los Jaguares in Super Rugby and the same applies to him at Gloucester. He does enter the line to make plays, from time-to-time, at fly half. For July he may play 10, or Cheika may prefer to find cover or alternatives. Benetton fly half Tomás Albornoz is uncapped and a specialist in the position. He and Domingo Miotti are names that will be considered against Scotland. Nicolás Sánchez and Benjamín Urdapilleta are now veterans making the Rugby Championship more likely, but for one not both men.
Gerónimo Prisciantelli
The fly half conundrum is arguably the prime issue facing Cheika for July. Finding the player for the position could also see an opportunty from within Argentine. Gerónimo Prisciantelli had a solid first half of SLAR 2022. He plays multiple positions including fly half, fullback and center, though a shot at the big time for his country would come at fly half. Santiago Mare was less concinving while the promising Julián Hernández arguably needs more time and to bulk up. Prisciantelli could be a debuted in the 22 shirt for at least one match against Scotland.
Marcos Moneta
Headaches in the back-three do exist; though, they are problems of a good kind. Argentina has an overflow of outstanding depth thtat finding what to do with all the players is complicated. Santiago Carreras to fly half was part of the solution in 2021. This came with Emiliano Boffelli firmly establishing himself as the no 1 fullback. Meanwhile Juan Imhoff, Mateo Carreras, Santiago Cordero, and Bautista Delguy have all had very busy seasons in Europe. July is the ideal time to rotate one or more of these men. In addition, the talent of Marcos Moneta for Los Pumas 7’s merits a shot at the test arena in July. The timing could not be better with the Los Angeles 7’s in August at the World Cup in September.
