Argentina axe Juan Manuel Leguizamon ahead of All Blacks Test
Thursday 7 September 2017 08:15, UK
Argentina have axed veteran back-row forward Juan Manuel Leguizamon among sweeping changes to their starting line-up for Saturday's Rugby Championship clash with the All Blacks in New Plymouth, live on Sky Sports.
Pumas coach Daniel Hourcade makes seven changes to his starting XV after losing twice to South Africa so far in this year's tournament, while New Zealand are unbeaten in two clashes with Australia.
Leguizamon, 34, who has played 78 Tests, is among seven changes, losing his place to Benjamin Macome.
"We choose the best players for each match," said Hourcade. "Benjamin Macome is training very well, is a ball-carrier similar to Leguizamon and now will have his opportunity. The rest of the players are also training very well."
Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro replaces injured tighthead prop Ramiro Herrera, and Guido Petti is preferred at lock over Tomas Lavanini.
Lavanini was sent off after receiving two yellow cards in Argentina's second defeat to the Springboks in Salta.
While a judicial panel deemed no further action was required, Hourcade has opted not to play him in New Zealand or against Australia next week.
Other changes to face New Zealand include Javier Ortega Desio at flanker ahead of Tomas Lezana, while in the backs Nicolas Sanchez returns at fly-half in place of Juan Martin Hernandez.
Matias Moroni is preferred to Matias Orlando at centre while Santiago Cordero comes in for wing Ramiro Moyano.
The Pumas have never beaten the All Blacks, which Hourcade insisted gave them "huge motivation" going into Saturday's big Test.
Team: 15 Joaquin Tuculet, 14 Santiago Cordero, 13 Matias Moroni, 12 Jeronimo de la Fuente, 11 Emiliano Boffelli, 10 Nicolas Sanchez, 9 Tomas Cubelli, 1 Lucas Noguera Paz, 2 Agustin Creevy, 3 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, 4 Guido Petti, 5 Matias Alemanno, 6 Pablo Matera, 7 Javier Ortega Desio, 8 Benjamin Macome.
Replacements: 16 Julian Montoya, 17 Santiago Garcia Botta, 18 Enrique Pieretto, 19 Marcos Kremer, 20 Tomas Lezana, 21 Martin Landajo, 22 Santiago Gonzalez Iglesias, 23 Matias Orlando.
