Los Pumas head coach Michael Cheika has named two sevens stars, Rodrigo Isgro and Luciano Gonzalez, in his 30-man squad for their Rugby Championship opener against New Zealand in Mendoza.
Cheika will look to the duo to provide some additional x-factor after having successful stints in the Argentina sevens set-up that has proved to be rather successful in recent times.
Meanwhile, uncapped half-back Ignacio Inchauspe will train with the squad but will not be considered for the intriguing opener against the All Blacks next weekend.
Kremer absence
The coach will have to deal with the absence of key star Marcos Kremer who copped a five-week suspension for a red card he received in the colours of Stade Francais.
Leicester Tiger Julian Montoya is the captain yet again and he will be a crucial star for Los Pumas throughout the Rugby Championship and into the build-up of the Rugby World Cup.
The squad consists of a strong mix of experience and youth as Cheika looks to find his best combinations in a big year in the rugby world.
Los Pumas have shown some impressive growth under the Australian coach, particularly in the 2022 edition where they secured a record triumph against the Wallabies and their first win against the All Blacks on New Zealand soil.
The opener against New Zealand in Mendoza is the side’s only game at home in the shortened Rugby Championship. After that, they will travel to Australia and South Africa for rounds two and three.
Argentina squad to face New Zealand
Tomas Albornoz, Matias Alemanno, Lautaro Bazan Velez, Eduardo Bello, Gonzalo Bertranou, Emiliano Boffelli, Rodrigo Bruni, Sebastien Cancelliere, Mateo Carreras, Santiago Carreras, Lucio Cinti, Agustin Creevy, Bautista Delguy, Thomas Gallo, Luciano Gonzalez, Juan Martin Gonzalez, Santiago Grondona, Rodrigo Isgro, Tomas Lavanini, Pablo Matera, Santiago Medrano, Julian Montoya (captain), Matias Moroni, Matias Orlando, Lucas Paulos, Pedro Rubiolo, Ignacio Ruiz, Nicolas Sanchez, Lucio Sordoni, Mayco Vivas
READ MORE: Rugby Championship preview: Argentina to prop up the table once again despite improvements under Michael Cheika
The article Argentina name two sevens stars in squad for All Blacks Test appeared first on Planetrugby.com.
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