Argentina change two for Wales quarter-final after Pablo Matera ruled out
Argentina head coach Michael Cheika during the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Michael Cheika has made two alterations to his Argentina side for their Rugby World Cup clash with Wales this weekend.
One of those comes in the back-row following the loss of Pablo Matera to injury, with the flanker being ruled out of the rest of the tournament.
Facundo Isa is his replacement and starts at number eight as Juan Martin Gonzalez shifts into Matera’s position at flanker.
Forwards otherwise unchanged
That is the only change up front, with Cheika keeping faith with the Argentinian forward pack that defeated Japan last weekend, which secured their quarter-final place.
Thomas Gallo, Julian Montoya and Francisco Gomez Kodela have become a solid front-row unit during the World Cup, while Guido Petti and Tomas Lavanini have combined well at lock.
Meanwhile, behind the scrum, the outside backs remain unchanged, but the head coach has decided to bring in Tomas Cubelli at scrum-half.
That means Gonzalo Bertranou drops out of the 23 completely as Lautaro Bazan Velez is seen as the better-impact player for the bench spot.
Cubelli is alongside Santiago Carreras, who stays at fly-half, and they are looking to unleash a talented backline.
Santiago Chocobares and Lucio Cinti have both pace and power at centre, while Mateo Carreras will look to continue his fine form on the wing after his hat-trick against the Brave Blossoms.
Full-back Juan Cruz Mallia and sharp-shooter Emiliano Boffelli join Carreras in the back three and complete the XV.
There are also a few alterations among the replacements, with Rodrigo Bruni coming in for Pedro Rubiolo, the only difference to the Japan clash.
That means Agustin Creevy, Joel Sclavi, Eduardo Bello, Matias Alemanno, Nicolas Sanchez and Matias Moroni are primed and ready to make an impact off the bench.
Argentina’s team to face Wales
Argentina: 15 Juan Cruz Mallia, 14 Emiliano Boffelli, 13 Lucio Cinti, 12 Santiago Chocobares, 11 Mateo Carreras, 10 Santiago Carreras, 9 Tomas Cubelli, 8 Facundo Isa, 7 Marcos Kremer, 6 Juan Martin Gonzalez, 5 Tomas Lavanini, 4 Guido Petti, 3 Francisco Gómez Kodela, 2 Julian Montoya (c), 1 Thomas Gallo
Replacements: 16 Agustín Creevy, 17 Joel Sclavi, 18 Eduardo Bello, 19 Matias Alemanno, 20 Rodrigo Bruni, 21 Lautaro Bazan Velez, 22 Nicolas Sanchez, 23 Matías Moroni
Date: Saturday, October 14
Venue: Stade de Marseille
Kick-off: 17:00 local (16:00 BST, 15:00 GMT)
Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
Assistant Referees: Karl Dickson (England), Andrea Piardi (Italy)
TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)