Argentina name final Rugby World Cup squad with few surprises
Sunday 16 August 2015 21:47, UK
Argentina have confirmed their final 31-man squad for the Rugby World Cup in England, which starts next month.
Pumas coach Daniel Hourcade sprang very few surprises in his party, his decision coming less than a day after defeat against South Africa in Buenos Aires on Saturday.
They concluded their World Cup preparation with a 26-12 home defeat by the Springboks, just a week after their historic win in Durban.
Racing Metro lock Manuel Carizza and Saracens prop Juan Figallo were amongst those to miss out - Figallo has already undergone surgery after injuring his knee on Pumas duty.
"Players got left out that didn't deserve it, it's unfair really but that's how it is," Hourcade said.
"They did everything we asked of them, a great effort and they gave their all. It is the hardest moment of all for a coach but we had to choose only 31 players.
"It's a balanced list with 17 forwards and 14 backs that gives us the possibility of having two teams and one more front row forward."
Hourcade's players will now have two weeks off before leaving for London on August 31.
They will also take part in a training camp in Portugal before their opening match of the tournament against holders New Zealand on September 20.
Argentina, who are favourites to qualify from Pool C alongside the All Blacks, will be hoping to emulate their previous best World Cup performance, a third place in 2007.
Squad:
Forwards: Matias Alemanno, Marcos Ayerza, Agustin Creevy, Matias Diaz, Juan Fernandez Lobbe, Ramiro Herrera, Facundo Isa, Tomas Lavanini, Juan Manuel Leguizamon, Pablo Matera, Julian Montoya, Lucas Noguera Paz, Javier Ortega, Guido Petti, Leonardo Senatore, Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro.
Backs: Horacio Agulla, Marcelo Bosch, Santiago Cordero, Tomas Cubelli, Jeronimo De La Fuente, Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino, Santiago Gonzalez Iglesias, Juan Martin Hernandez, Juan Imhoff, Martin Landajo, Matias Moroni, Nicolas Sanchez, Juan Pablo Socino, Joaquin Tuculet.
