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Felipe Contepomi has made three changes to Argentina’s roster ahead of the Santa Fé showdown against the Wallaabies. Coming off a last-gasp loss against Australia in La Plata, adjustments have been enforced due to injuries.
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The international career of Agustín Creevy concluded on Saturday. Creevy announced his retirement in the days ahead of the test match in La Plata. The 39-year-old earned 110 caps for Los Pumas from 2005-2024.
Scrum-half Lautaro Bazán Vélez pulled out of the match in La Plata. He had been named as the replacement scrum-half with Gonzalo Bertranou starting. However, Bazán Vélez suffered muscular strain which forced him out. Gonzalo García took his spot to earn his second cap of 2024.
Second-rower Pedro Rubiolo started in La Plata. His time wa highly limited; Rubiolo was knocked-out in the 18th second of the match. He rushed in to tackle his opposite, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, and fell to the ground immediately. He will remain with the roster but will be required to follow HIA Protocol.
Flanker Bautista Pedemonte debuted for Argentina against France in July. He is yet to play again for Los Pumas. He has now been released from the roster with muscular trauma. The injury puts his involvement in the remainder of the Rugby Championship in doubt. In other words, Pedemonte’s next appearance is likely to be for Vannes in the Top 14.
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Three players have been added to the roster. The retirement of Agustín Creevy sees uncapped Bautista Bernasconi called-up. The Benetton hooker was selected for the July Internationals but missed out on game time due to injury. Julián Montoya and Ignacio Ruiz were the specialist hookers while loose head prop Ignacio Calles covered the position against Uruguay.
At scrum-half, Tomás Cubelli takes the place of Lautaro Bazán Vélez on the roster. Cubelli is the most capped Argentine scrum-half in history. He earned the first of his 93 caps in 2010 against Uruguay. He played Major League Rugby 2024 for the Miami Sharks and recently returned home to play for Belgrano in Buenos Aires.
The third change to the roster sees Matías Alemanno recalled. Alemanno is the most-capped Argentine second-rower with 96 caps. The Córdoba second-rower started once against France in July and was also a replacement against both France and Uruguay. Franco Molina, and Lucas Paulos started against France while Molina and Pedro Rubiolo started against Los Teros.
Of the additions to the roster the one possible surprise is that of Cubelli. He is now 35-years-old. The Argentina XV roster features Agustín Moyano who was a stand-out in Super Rugby Americas 2024. The 21-year-old is a Puma in waiting.
