Argentina lock Tomas Lavanini out for six months
Tuesday 30 August 2016 09:25, UK
Argentina lock Tomas Lavanini has been ruled out for six months after suffering a cruciate knee injury against South Africa on Saturday.
He will miss the rest of the Rugby Championship and the Pumas' tour of Europe in November.
The injury occurred during Argentina's 26-24 victory over South Africa in Salta.
"Unfortunately, we have just confirmed Tomas Lavanini's injury," team doctor Guillermo Botto said.
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"It's a cruciate ligament injury and we expect to do surgery in three to four weeks and then he'll have an estimated recovery time of six months."
Argentina's giant winger Manuel Montero is also missing from the squad named for the forthcoming trip to New Zealand and Australia after he tore a thigh muscle against the Boks.
But back in action is No 8 Leonardo Senatore, who has served a 10-week suspension for biting handed out during the Super Rugby competition in May.
Matias Moroni returns from the Pumas Olympic rugby sevens team and fellow centre Jeronimo de la Fuente, who also missed Argentina's two matches against the Springboks, is included after recovering from injury.
Felipe Ezcurra was named as a third scrum-half.
Fly-half Nicolas Sanchez and centre Juan Martin Hernandez are recovering from head injuries and should be available for selection for both matches.
Argentina will face world champions New Zealand, who top the standings after home and away wins over Australia, in Hamilton on September 10 and Australia in Perth a week later.
Forwards: Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, Felipe Arregui, Agustin Creevy (captain), Lucas Noguera Paz, Julian Montoya, Ramiro Herrera, Enrique Pieretto, Matias Alemanno, Guido Petti, Marcos Kremer, Juan Manuel Leguizamon, Pablo Matera, Javier Ortega Desio, Leonardo Senatore, Facundo Isa
Backs: Martin Landajo, Tomas Cubelli, Felipe Ezcurra, Santiago Gonzalez Iglesias, Nicolas Sanchez, Santiago Cordero, Ramiro Moyano, Jeronimo de la Fuente, Juan Martin Hernandez, Matias Moroni, Matias Orlando, Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino, Joaquin Tuculet
