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Matías Alemanno is in a race against time for Rugby World Cup 2023. The Argentine second-rower was injured early in the second half against Australia in Sydney on Saturday. He was immediately replaced by Lucas Paulos.
Alemanno suffered a sprained internal lateral ligament of his right knee. Such injuries require between four and six weeks of recovery time. This means he will not be available to face South Africa on July 29 in Johannesburg nor for the home warm-up match against South Africa on August 05.
It is possible that Alemanno could be fit for the match against Spain in Madrid on August 26; however, it is highly unlikely that he would be considered. Instead, the earliest possible return is at the World Cup itself.
Los Pumas’ open their Rugby World Cup 2023 campaign against England in Marseille. That match is in 54 days time from today. The final pool match against Japan is in 83 days time. In other words, while Alemanno is a certainty for the roster itself, it is unknown when exactly he will be ready and against who he will play his first match of the tournament against.
In the meantime, Argentina’s preparations for South Africa in Johannesburg are taking shape. Alemanno and Tomás Lavanini have been the starting second-row combination in both matches thus far in 2023. Paulos was the replacement against Australia while flanker Pedro Rubiolo covered against New Zealand.
No player has been called-up as a replacement. Marcos Kremer is out through suspension. He will be available to face Spain. Guido Petti missed the entirety of the 2022-2023 Top 14 season for Bordeaux. The plans have long been for him to return against South Africa. If he is not ready for the Johannesburg match then flankers Rubiolo and Santiago Grondona are expected to cover Lavanini and Paulos.
🚨 Parte médico de Los Pumas vs Wallabies
👉 Matías Alemanno sufrió un esguince del ligamento lateral interno de la rodilla derecha.
¡Te deseamos una pronta recuperación, Mati! 💪#SomosLosPumas | #MásPumasQueNunca pic.twitter.com/vWdbNbRxyC
— Los Pumas (@lospumas) July 17, 2023
