Puma Changes from June 2016 for June 2017

Daniel Hourcade’s roster for the June 2017 internationals remains unconfirmed. In 2016 his first roster had 28 players. Most, albeit not all, of the players are to return for the 2017 fixtures. They are to be complimented by additional players, all of whom are to involved in the current Super Rugby campaign.

Out
Facundo Bosch and Facundo Isa have both left Argentina and are contracted to Agen and Toulon respectively for next season. Neither will play for Argentina and nor will any others playing their rugby in Europe.

Bosch had been the third choice hooker for both Los Jaguares and Los Pumas in 2016. His opportunities were limited which, ultimately, contributed to him signing to play in France. The search for greater game time resulted in Loose Head prop Roberto Tejerizo converting to hooker.

Tejerizo has been back-up to captain, Agustín Creevy in recent weeks. This is due to Julián Montoya being out injured. Montoya will be back in time for June. Tejerizo or Argentina XV regular, Gaspar Baldunciel are next in line. Hourcade, though, is likely to go for just two hookers.

Leonardo Senatore is to replace 2016 Argentine Player of the Year, Isa at No 8. Formerly of Bayonne, Benjamín Macome is the next in line at Los Jaguares and starts today against the Lions. Senatore missed the 2016 June Internationals though suspension.

No longer a Jaguar is Lucas González Amorosino. His personal decision came at a time when Argentina is in need of finding depth at wing. Juan Pablo Estelles debuted in November but will not be considered.

In
Marcos Ayerza has retired. Without him the scrum simply has not been the same. Los Pumas lost some of their edge in 2016 but did improve in November. In June 2016 Santiago García Botta and Facundo Gigena were the two players picked. Lucas Noguera Paz was injured at the time. He will take Gigena’s spot.

Problems in the scrum saw Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro moving to Loose Head prop in June. He missed out on the November tour with Enrique Pieretto displaying extraordinary abilities in the scrum. Pieretto was deputy to Ramiro Herrera, another out through suspension last June.

Problems also presented themselves in the second-row last June. Tomás Lavanini was a late arrival after returning from suspension. Limited resources saw flanker Javier Ortega Desio starting in the second-row against France. Such a possibility is low this time around. Marcos Kremer has demonstrated his abilities for Los Jaguares and has not been training with Los Pumitas.

Veteran Juan Manuel Leguizamón is to be back in the mix. Neither he nor Ortega Desio have played Super Rugby thus far in 2017. Rodrigo Báez and Tomás Lezana have proven to be more than adequate replacements.

Also yet to play are both Martín Landajo and Tomás Cubelli (Brumbies). The former is expected back within weeks for Los Jaguares while the latter is likely to have to sit out the June Internationals. Gonzalo Bertranou is likely to be picked with Felipe Ezcurra added if Hourcade opts for a third scrum half.

Santiago González Iglesias and Gabriel Ascárate appear to be cover, thereby potentially featuring in the event of injuries or suspensions. At fly half Joaquín Díaz Bonilla has moved above González Iglesias while Domingo Miotti is an outside possibility.

Winger Manuel Montero has not played since August. Ramiro Moyano has taken the opportunity in Super Rugby. He and Santiago Cordero are the best bets to join Montero as the wing options. Emiliano Boffelli join them and is to cover both fullback and outside center yet it is anticipated he will make his debut on the wing.

All considered the projected roster will consist of 31 players. This is to include two players in all positions, a familiarity under Hourcade. The positions with additional players are Tight Head Prop, Flanker and Wing. In all cases one of more player covers another position.

PLAYER	POSITION	AGE	DEBUT	CAPS
Santiago García Botta	Loose Head Prop	24	2013 vs Chile	14
Lucas Noguera Paz	Loose Head Prop	23	2014 vs Uruguay	32
Agustín Creevy	Hooker	32	2005 vs Japan	59
Julián Montoya	Hooker	23	2014 vs Uruguay	29
Ramiro Herrera	Tight Head Prop	28	2014 vs Ireland	32
Enrique Pieretto	Tight Head Prop	22	2016 vs Italy	13
Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro	Tight Head Prop	27	2010 vs Chile	30
Matías Alemanno	Second-row	26	2014 vs Uruguay	31
Marcos Kremer	Second-row	19	2016 vs New Zealand	3
Tomás Lavanini	Second-row	24	2013 vs Uruguay	30
Guido Petti	Second-row	22	2014 vs Italy	24
Rodrigo Báez	Flanker	28	2010 vs Chile	16
Juan Manuel Leguizamón	Flanker	33	2005 vs Japan	75
Tomás Lezana	Flanker	23	2014 vs France	11
Pablo Matera	Flanker	24	2013 vs Chile	34
Javier Ortega Desio	Flanker	26	2012 vs Uruguay	32
Benjamín Macome	No 8	31	2009 vs Chile	23
Leonardo Senatore	No 8	32	2008 vs Uruguay	44
Gonzalo Bertranou	Scrum half	23	2015 vs Paraguay	2
Matín Landajo	Scrum half	28	2008 vs Chile	66
Joaquín Diaz Bonilla	Fly half	28	2016 vs Uruguay	2
Nicolás Sánchez	Fly half	28	2010 vs Uruguay	50
Jerónimo de la Fuente	Inside Center	26	2014 vs Uruguay	27
Juan Martín Hernández	Inside Center	34	2013 vs Paraguay	66
Matías Moroni	Outside Center	26	2014 vs Scotland	13
Matías Orlando	Outside Center	25	2012 vs Uruguay	21
Santiago Cordero	Wing	23	2013 vs England	30
Manuel Montero	Wing	25	2012 vs Uruguay	26
Ramiro Moyano	Wing	26	2011 vs Chile	12
Emiliano Boffelli	Fullback	22	uncapped	0
Joaquín Tuculet	Fullback	27	2012 vs Italy	40