BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) – Argentina’s most capped international Agustin Creevy has been given a chance to finish his international career in his home town after being named among the replacements for Saturday’s Rugby Championship clash against Australia in La Plata.
Former captain Creevy, who has 109 caps, has decided to end his international career and has the opportunity for an emotional send off in La Plata after being named on the bench by coach Felipe Contepomi on Thursday.
The 39-year-old is the only Argentine to play at four World Cups and also captained the team a record 51 times.
After losing 42-10 in their last test against New Zealand in Auckland a fortnight ago, Contepomi has made three changes to his selection in a bid to return to winning ways after they beat the All Blacks 38-30 in their opening Rugby Championship clash in Wellington on Aug. 10.
Two of the changes have been forced upon the coach as Joel Sclavi comes into the front row in place for Lucio Sordoni, who has dropped out of the squad for undisclosed personal reasons, while Santiago Cordero replaces injured Matias Moroni on the wing.
In a tactical switch, Franco Molina returns at lock, which means Marcos Kremer moves back to flank and Juan Martin Gonzalez to number eight, with Joaquin Oviedo dropping out.
Experienced lock Guido Petti and loose forward Santiago Grondona, who was injured in Argentina’s final warm-up game ahead of last year’s World Cup in France, were named among the replacements and should make their first appearance of the year.
Team:
15-Juan Cruz Mallia, 14-Santiago Cordero, 13-Lucio Cinti, 12-Santiago Chocobares, 11-Mateo Carreras, 10-Santiago Carreras, 9-Gonzalo Bertranou, 8-Juan Martin Gonzalez, 7- Marcos Kremer, 6-Pablo Matera, 5-Pedro Rubiolo, 4-Franco Molina, 3-Joel Sclavi, 2-Julian Montoya (captain), 1-Thomas Gallo
Replacements: 16-Agustin Creevy, 17-Mayco Vivas, 18-Eduardo Bello, 19-Guido Petti, 20-Tomas Lavanini, 21-Santiago Grondona, 22-Lautaro Bazan Velez, 23-Tomas Albornoz
(Writing by Mark Gleeson in Cape Town; Editing by Toby Davis)
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