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Pumas recall Tomas Lavanini and Guido Petti as James Slipper set for Australia record

Tomas Lavanini (l) starts against Australia
Tomas Lavanini (l) starts against Australia

Argentina have brought back the veteran second-row duo of Tomas Lavanini and Guido Petti to strengthen their forward power for Saturday's Rugby Championship clash against Australia in Santa Fe (8pm Irish time).

Coach Felipe Contepomi announced four changes in the starting line-up of the team who lost 20-19 against the Wallabies in La Plata last Saturday, when Argentina gave away a late penalty and were beaten by a last-gasp kick.

Petti and Lavanini both came off the bench last weekend as Argentina struggled to dominate the set pieces and rucks in rainy conditions.

It was Petti’s first Test for Argentina this year and his return to the starting line-up comes at the expense of Franco Molina while Lavanini replaces Pedro Rubiolo, who suffered a concussion in the opening minute of last weekend’s Test.

Reliable kicker Santiago Carreras is replaced at out-half by Tomas Albornoz while Bautista Delguy comes in on the right wing in place of Connacht's Santiago Cordero in the other changes for a fourth match in this year’s southern hemisphere championship for both teams.

The game will mark Argentina skipper Julian Montoya's 100th cap.

Gonzalo Garcia keeps his place as back-up scrum-half after Lautaro Bazan Velez picked up an injury in the warm-up last Saturday.

Meanwhile, James Slipper (above) is in line to equal Australia's record for the most Test caps.

The veteran prop was named as a replacement for the match, giving him the opportunity for a 139th cap to draw level with former captain and scrum-half George Gregan.

Slipper, who made his Test debut against an England team featuring Jonny Wilkinson in 2010, returns to the match-day squad after missing last weekend's 20-19 win over the Pumas for the birth of his second child.

The 35-year-old prop's selection was virtually assured following a concussion suffered by fellow loosehead Isaac Kailea last weekend.

"It's a proud moment for me," said Slipper. "It's one of those things, you don't really expect to get that many games.

"I feel like I've had a lot of luck. And my timing's been good and a lot of hard work's gone into it. So I'm very proud."

There were three changes to the starting line-up from last weekend's win and all were forced by injury.

Ben Donaldson, who came off the bench to kick the winning penalty at La Plata last Saturday, will take over at out-half from Noah Lolesio, who has a back problem.

Donaldson had a disappointing outing in his last start against Georgia in July and Tom Lynagh, son of Wallabies great Michael, was named as back-up on the bench.

"It's a great opportunity for Ben Donaldson. He was the incumbent really from the World Cup," coach Joe Schmidt said.

"And it's a great opportunity for Tom Lynagh after having a hamstring niggle he was struggling to get rid of, he's now 100% so those two, they're excited to take on the mantle."

Andrew Kellaway moves off the wing to replace the injured Tom Wright at full-back, allowing Max Jorgensen to slot in at right wing as he starts for the first time days after turning 20-years-old.

Joe Schmidt and Felipe Contepomi chat ahead of last weekend's game

"Max has built his way in," said former Ireland head coach Schmidt.

"He's had a couple of runs off the bench, which is ideal for him to gain a bit of confidence and for us to know a little bit more about him.

"Once he's on the ball, he's an exciting young rugby player."

In the second row, Jeremy Williams comes in for Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, who is struggling with a shoulder problem.

Argentina and Australia have both lost two of their opening three matches in this year's competition.


Argentina: Juan Cruz Mallia; Bautista Delguy, Lucio Cinti, Santiago Chocobares, Mateo Carreras; Tomas Albornoz, Gonzalo Bertranou; Thomas Gallo, Julian Montoya (capt), Joel Sclavi, Guido Petti, Tomas Lavanini, Pablo Matera, Marcos Kremer, Juan Martin Gonzalez.

Replacements: Ignacio Ruiz, Mayco Vivas, Eduardo Bello, Franco Molina, Joaquin Oviedo, Santiago Grondona, Gonzalo Garcia, Santiago Carreras.

Australia: Andrew Kellaway; Max Jorgensen, Len Ikitau, Hamish Stewart, Marika Koroibet; Ben Donaldson, Jake Gordon; Angus Bell, Matt Faessler, Taniela Tupou; Nick Frost, Jeremy Williams; Rob Valetini, Carlo Tizzano, Harry Wilson.

Replacements: Josh Nasser, James Slipper, Allan Alaalatoa, Josh Canham, Langi Gleeson, Tate McDermott, Tom Lynagh, Josh Flook.

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