ZCZC
BSP-07
RUGBYU-RC-2018-ARG-AUS
Argentina change three for Wallabies clash
GOLD COAST, Australia, Sept 13, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Argentina have made three changes for their clash with the Wallabies on Saturday, with Gonzalo Bertranou returning at scrum-half as they look to bounce back from defeat to the All Blacks last weekend.
The Pumas went down 46-24 to New Zealand in Nelson and while it was a spirited performance their scrum was “torn apart”, according to coach Mario Ledesma, himself a former hooker.
In a bid to fix their problems for the Gold Coast Test, prop Santiago Medrano replaces Garcia Botta and blindside flanker Pablo Matera returns to the starting line-up in place of Tomas Lezana.
After resting last weekend, Bertranou is back at scrum-half with Martin Landajo relegated to the bench.
The Pumas have lost 15 of their last 16 Tests against Australia, but after beating South Africa last month there is a belief that the miserable run can be brought to an end.
“Why not?” said Ledesma, a former Wallabies forwards coach who is a close friend of his Australian counterpart Michael Cheika.
“Even though we lost by 20 points (against the All Blacks), I think there’s a lot of positives from the game.”
Argentina (15-1) Emiliano Boffelli; Bautista Delguy, Matias Moroni, Jeronimo de la Fuente, Ramiro Moyano; Nicolas Sanchez, Gonzalo Bertranou; Javier Ortega Desio, Marcos Kremer, Pablo Matera; Tomas Lavanini, Guido Petti; Santiago Medrano, Agustin Creevy (capt), Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro
Replacements: Julian Montoya, Santiago Garcia Botta, Juan Pablo Zeiss, Matias Alemanno, Juan Manuel Leguizamon, Martin Landajo, Bautista Ezcurra, Juan Cruz Mallia.
BSS/AFP/AU/08:45 hrs