News

Multiple changes for Pumas

Thursday 20th November 2008

Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe: Leading the Pumas

Argentina coach Santiago Phelan has made four personnel and three positional changes to his side to face Ireland on Saturday, in a game the Pumas must win to keep their place in the IRB top four.

Miguel Avramovic replaces injured Felipe Contempomi in the centre, while Federico Martin Aramburu moves off the wing to replace Gonzalo Tiesi and partner Avramovic.

Francisco Leonelli comes onto the wing, and Horacio Agulla replaces Bernardo Stortoni at full-back.

Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe leads the team from openside, with Rimas Alvarez Kairelis moving into the second row and Esteban Lozada dropping to the bench.

Juan Manuel Leguizamon comes into the side at number eight. The front row remains the same, with Rodrigo Roncero's appeal against his 30-day suspension still to be heard by the French League.

Argentina: 15 Horacio Agulla, 14 Francisco Leonelli, 13 Federico Martin Aramburu, 12 Miguel Avramovic, 11 Rafael Carballo, 10 Juan Martin Hernandez, 9 Nicolas Vergallo, 8 Juan Manuel Leguizamon, 7 Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe (capt), 6 Martin Durand, 5 Patricio Albacete, 4 Rimas Alvarez Kairelis, 3 Juan Pablo Orlandi, 2 Mario Ledesma, 1 Rodrigo Roncero.
Replacements: 16 Alberto Vernet Basualdo, 17 Marcos Ayerza, 18 Esteban Lozada, 19 Alvaro Galindo, 20 Agustin Figuerola, 21 Santiago Fernandez, 22 Bernardo Stortoni.

Date: Saturday, November 22
Venue: Croke Park, Dublin
Kick-off: 14.45 GMT
Referee: Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand)
Touch judges: Mark Lawrence (South Africa), Rob Debney (England)
Television match official: Graham Hughes (England)
Assessor: Steve Hilditch (Ireland)