Pablo Matera to captain Argentina against New Zealand
Agustin Creevy will start on the bench for Argentina
©Steve Haag
Argentina head coach Felipe Contepomi has confirmed the matchday squad for the opening round of the Rugby Championship clash against New Zealand to be played in Wellington.
Pablo Matera, who recently played his 100th Test for the Pumas will be captaining the side. He will be joined in the back row by Juan Martin Gonzalez and Marcos Kremer.
Santiago Carreras will be taking the kicking responsibility forming halfback partnership with Gonzalo Bertranou while Pedro Rubiolo and Franco Molina will be the preferred locks.
Juan Cruz Mallia will be playing for the first time since the 2023 Rugby World Cup and will start at fullback while Matias Moroni and Mateo Carreras will start at right and left wings respectively.
Luio Cinti and Santiago Chocobares will form midfield partnership while Agustin Creevy will provide impact from the bench that also has Mayco Vivas, Joel Sclavi, Efrain Elias, Tomas Lavanini, Joaquin Oviedo, Lautaro Bazan Velez and Tomas Albornoz.
Argentina XV: 15 Juan Cruz Mallia, 14 Matias Moroni, 13 Luio Cinti, 12 Santiago Chocobares, 11 Mateo Carreras, 10 Santiago Carreras, 9 Gonzalo Bertranou, 8 Juan Martin Gonzalez, 7 Marcos Kremer, 6 Pablo Matera (captain), 5 Pedro Rubiolo, 4 Franco Molina, 3 Eduardo Bello, 2 Ignacio Ruiz, 1 Thomas Gallo.
Reserves: 16 Agustin Creevy, 17 Mayco Vivas, 18 Joel Sclavi, 19 Efrain Elias, 20 Tomas Lavanini, 21 Joaquin Oviedo, 22 Lautaro Bazan Velez, 23 Tomas Albornoz.
