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The final fixture of the 2018 Nations Cup will determine the champion. Both hosts Uruguay and the Argentina XV won both of their prior matches, thereby setting-up a winner-takes-all final.
Uruguay started their campaign very well. A 29-10 win over the Fiji Warriors showcased the dramatic improvement of both the skills set and physical conditioning of Uruguay’s players.
Against the Fiji Warriors Uruguay played the conditions to their advantage. The same is true of their match against Emerging Italy. With mud again prevalent, Los Teros used their forwards smartly to get the upper hand and control proceedings. The 23-19 win included a final minute penalty try to the visitors.
The Argentina XV had a dreadful start to their campaign. They required a late comeback to down Emerging Italy in their opening game. The 19-8 victory was a game in which the Argentina XV tried to play running rugby despite the cold, muddy conditions.
A much better game of rugby from the Argentina XV transpired in their following fixture. The Argentina XV played their best rugby of the year to humiliate the Fiji Warriors. The 75-15 win underlined the Argentina XV as favorites for the title.
In today’s match-up Uruguay has named a side fairly close to that expected to represent the country in Los Teros’ RWC 2019 opener. Surprises come in the form of Gastón Mieres starting at fullback and Agustín Ormaechea at scrum-half.
In the forwards Lenadro Segredo is back to start at flanker. He was a stand-out against the Fiji Warriors. He will join Juan Manuel Gaminara and Alejandro Nieto in a quality back-row.
The Argentina XV have Pumas Tomás Cubelli, Juan Manuel Leguizamón, Manuel Montero, and Matías Moroni all starting. Yet attention should also be given to no 8 Rodrigo Bruni and center Santiago Resino. Both are well placed to make their Pumas debuts this year.
Prior to Uruguay vs Argentina XV there will be another match. It is to be between Emerging Italy and the Fiji Warriors. The winner of that match will claim Bronze with the loser finishing bottom.
URUGUAY
15 Gastón Mieres, 14 Leandro Leivas, 13 Joaquín Prada, 12 Andrés Vilaseca, 11 Nicolás Freitas, 10 Felipe Berchesi, 9 Agustín Ormaechea, 8 Alejandro Nieto, 7 Leandro Segredo, 6 Juan Manuel Gaminara (capt.), 5 Manuel Leindekar, 4 Ignacio Dotti, 3 Juan Echeverría, 2 Germán Kessler, 1 Mateo Sanguietti
Replacements: 16 Carlos Pombo, 17 Matías Benitez, 18 Felipe Iniciarte, 19 Diego Ayala, 20 Manuel Diana, 21 Juan Diego Ormaechea, 22 Santiago Arata, 23 Manuel Blengio
ARGENTINA XV
15 Gastón Arias, 14 Matías Moroni, 13 Santiago Resino, 12 Lucas Mensa, 11 Manuel Montero, 10 Joaquín Díaz Bonilla, 9 Tomás Cubelli, 8 Rodrigo Bruni, 7 Lautaro Bávaro (capt.), 6 Juan Manuel Leguizamón, 5 Ignacio Larrague, 4 Jerónimo Ureta, 3 Lucas Favre, 2 Gaspar Baldunciel, 1 Nicolás Solveyra
Replacements: 16 Diego Fortuny, 17 Franco Brarda, 18 Marco Ciccioli, 19 Federico Gutiérrez, 20 Benjamín Macome, 21 Gregorio del Prete, 22 Tomás Granella, 23 Tomás Jorge
Date: Sunday June 10
Kick-Off: 3:00pm
Venue: Parque Artigas de Las Piedras
