Sanchez replaces Hernandez for Pumas
by Frankie Deges 23 August 2012, 18:50
Juan Martín Hernández, who suffered a groin injury on Tuesday night, will be replaced by green-horn Nicolás Sánchez who played only a handful of minutes in test rugby.
Puma coach Santiago Phelan took 24 hours to decide on who his starting number 10 was going to be, toying with the option of reshuffling his backs, yet backed 24 year old Sánchez, a former Pampa XV in the Vodacom Cups of 2010-11.
A professional with Begles Bordeaux in France, his rugby pedigree is very good, having played for Argentina at every level since U19 in 2007. Two of his three caps came against regional opposition, whilst he took the field against Romania in last year’s Rugby World Cup.
Phelan also confirmed his bench, deciding for a 4-3 split rather than the five forwards and two backs chosen a week ago. Local Mendoza boy Juan Pablo Orlandi will not be needed whilst winger Juan IMhoff – also a former Pampa XV – gains a place in the bench.
Argentina: Martin Rodriguez; Gonzalo Camacho, Marcelo Bosch, Santiago Fernandez, Horacio Agulla; Nicolas Sanchez, Nicolas Vergallo; Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe, Alvaro Galindo, Julio Farias Cabello; Patricio Albacete, Manuel Carizza; Juan Figallo, Eusebio Guinazu, Rodrigo Roncero
Replacements (from): Marcos Ayerza, Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino, Juan Imhoff, Martin Landajo, Tomas Leonardi, Bruno Postiglioni, Leonardo Senatore,
