Pumas make one change to starting XV
by Frankie Deges 22 August 2012, 01:01
Pumas coach Santiago Phelan announced one change to his starting XV for the second round of the Castle Rugby Championship, although the reserves have not yet been confirmed.
Fullback Lucas González Amorosino is replaced by Martín Rodríguez, who has played 15 of his 16 internationals in that position.
A lacklustre display by the Pumas in their loss against the Springboks last Saturday forced Phelan’s hand, even though Rodríguez has mostly played at centre for his French club Stade Français since Rugby World Cup 2011, and in fact took the field as a substitute centre at Newlands, coming on for Santiago Fernández .
Phelan has not yet confirmed his bench, but the same 26 who travelled to Cape Town will be flying to Mendoza on Thursday afternoon. Kick-off at the Malvinas Argentinas Stadium is set for 9:10pm CAT (SA, GMT+2) on Saturday..
“One of the aspects in which we failed to dominate against South Africa was field position - they were very good at leaving their half. We also gave away too many penalties, especially in the first half, which forced us into losing our grip on the game,” said coach Phelan when announcing the team.
“We did have good-quality ball from scrums and lineouts and we tried to play the ball, which is important. Finally, despite conceding three tries, our defensive screen at times was very good.”
Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer is expected to name his starting XV on Wednesday at around 5:30pm CAT.
ARGENTINA'S STARTING XV:
1 Rodrigo Roncero (50 tests – 25 points)
2 Eusebio Guiñazú (19 tests – 5 points)
3 Juan Figallo (10 tests – 5 points)
4 Manuel Carizza (24 tests – 5 points)
5 Patricio Albacete (47 tests – 5 points)
6 Julio Farías Cabello (11 tests – 5 points)
7 Álvaro Galindo (12 tests – 10 points)
8 Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe (c) (44 tests – 20 points)
9 Nicolás Vergallo (24 tests)
10 Juan Martín Hernández (33 tests – 89 points)
11 Horacio Agulla (35 tests – 20 points)
12 Santiago Fernández (19 tests – 8 points)
13 Marcelo Bosch (11 tests – 11 points)
14 Gonzalo Camacho (12 tests – 20 points)
15 Martín Rodríguez (16 tests – 61 points)
