Argentina lose Juan Manuel Leguizamon for New Zealand Test

Argentina flanker Juan Manuel Leguizamon has lost his fitness battle and been ruled out of Saturday's Rugby Championship Test against New Zealand.

His absence is one of three injury-related changes coach Daniel Hourcade has been forced to make from the side that pulled off a historic first home win over South Africa, 26-24, almost two weeks ago.

Leguizamon, who shares the Argentina record of playing nine Tests against the All Blacks, has suffered swelling to a thigh injury since that match and has been replaced by Javier Ortega Desio.

Lock Guido Petti replaces the experienced Thomas Lavanini while wing Matthias Moroni comes in for Manuel Montero.

The promising 19-year-old lock Marcos Kremer could make his international debut off the bench.

Argentina have never beaten the All Blacks with a 21-all draw in 1985 their best performance in 22 matches.

Back-row forward Facundo Isa said the entry of the Jaguares into the southern hemisphere Super Rugby competition this year has bolstered the confidence of the Test side.

Live Rugby Championship

"Super Rugby gave us an experience that was very important to many of us, confronting the different franchises," he said.

"The team matured a lot, and that inspires us to beat New Zealand."

Argentina: 15 Joaquin Tuculet, 14 Matthias Moroni, 13 Matias Orlando, 12 Juan Martin Hernandez, 11 Santiago Cordero; 10 Nicolas Sanchez, 9 Martin Landajo; 1 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, 2 Agustin Creevy (capt), 3 Ramiro Herrera, 4 Guido Petti, 5 Matias Alemanno, 6 Pablo Matera, 7 Javier Ortega Desio, 8 Facundo Isa

Replacements: Julian Montoya, Lucas Noguera, Enrique Pieretto, Mark Kremer, Leonardo Senatore, Tomas Cubelli, Santiago Gonzalez Iglesias, Ramiro Moyano