Los Pumas Make Five Changes for Nations Championship Clash Against Wales
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After suffering a 47-38 defeat to Scotland in the opening match of the inaugural Nations Championship in Córdoba, Los Pumas will look to bounce back when they host Wales at Estadio San Juan del Bicentenario on Saturday.
The fixture will be Argentina's eighth official Test match in San Juan and the second time they have faced Wales at the venue. The sides previously met there in 2018, when the visitors claimed a 23-10 victory.
Head coach Felipe Contepomi has made five changes to the starting XV from the side that faced Scotland last weekend. Boris Wenger comes in for Mayco Vivas, Tomás Rapetti replaces Pedro Delgado, Marcos Kremer returns in place of Pablo Matera, Justo Piccardo starts instead of Faustino Sánchez Valarolo, and Bautista Delguy replaces Rodrigo Isgró on the wing.
The match will also mark a major milestone for Guido Petti, who is set to earn his 100th cap for Los Pumas. The second-row forward, a product of the SIC academy, made his Test debut against Italy on 14 November 2014 and has featured in three Rugby World Cups (2015, 2019 and 2023), making 17 World Cup appearances. He will become just the sixth player to reach the 100-cap milestone for Argentina.
Los Pumas Centurions
- Pablo Matera – 122 caps
- Julián Montoya – 118 caps
- Agustín Creevy – 110 caps
- Nicolás Sánchez – 104 caps
- Matías Alemanno – 100 caps
- Guido Petti – 99 caps (will earn his 100th cap against Wales)
Head-to-Head Record
Argentina and Wales have met on 26 previous occasions. Wales hold the advantage with 15 victories to Argentina's nine, while two matches have ended in a draw.
The Pumas' last home victory over Wales came in 2006, when they claimed a 45-27 win at Vélez Sarsfield Stadium in Buenos Aires.
Solidarity Campaign
Argentine Rugby will also lead a solidarity campaign during the event to support the Venezuelan Rugby Federation following the recent earthquake in the country.
Supporters are encouraged to donate rugby equipment in good condition, including jerseys, shorts, socks, boots and rugby balls. Donations can be made at the San Juan Rugby Union stand in the Fan Fest or at the union's headquarters (Urquiza 44 Norte) on Thursday and Friday from 12:00pm to 10:00pm, and on Saturday from 10:00am to 2:00pm.
Argentina Starting XV
15 Santiago Carreras (65 caps)
14 Bautista Delguy (40 caps)
13 Lucio Cinti (40 caps)
12 Justo Piccardo (11 caps)
11 Mateo Carreras (34 caps)
10 Tomás Albornoz (22 caps)
9 Gonzalo García (17 caps)
8 Joaquín Oviedo (23 caps)
7 Marcos Kremer (81 caps)
6 Santiago Grondona (27 caps)
5 Matías Alemanno (100 caps)
4 Guido Petti (99 caps)
3 Tomás Rapetti (4 caps)
2 Julián Montoya (118 caps, captain)
1 Boris Wenger (6 caps)
Replacements
16 Ignacio Ruiz (28 caps)
17 Mayco Vivas (40 caps)
18 Francisco Coria Marchetti (8 caps)
19 Franco Molina (20 caps)
20 Pablo Matera (122 caps)
21 Simón Benítez Cruz (10 caps)
22 Matías Moroni (95 caps)
23 Ignacio Mendy (4 caps)
