Argentina have named their Pumas team to play New Zealand’s All Blacks in Wellington this weekend with two changes to the team that drew with South Africa.

rugbyweek

The most notable change is the return of Juan Martín Hernández at number 10 after he missed the match against the Springboks in Mendoza due to injury.

Hernandez who scored all of Argentina’s points in their 27-6 opening loss to the Springboks in Cape Town replaces Nicolas Sanchez.

The other change to the starting team is Juan Manuel Leguizamon coming in to the starting line up and replacing Alvaro Galindo.

Leguizamon was sidelined by a stomach injury for Argentina’s first championship matches and his last Test appearance was when Argentina lost 33-10 to the All Blacks in the World Cup quarter-finals last year.

He forms part of an experienced Argentine forward pack which includes prop Rodrigo Roncero, lock Patricio Albacete and captain and backrower Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe.

Argentina are being assisted in their preparations for this match by former All Blacks coach Graham Henry who is helping with the development of Argentine rugby.

Although Henry is encouraging Argentina to play a more expansive game they are expected to stick with their traditional style of a rugged forward confrontation.

Argentina coach Santiago Phelan will name his replacements bench closer to the match on Friday.

Argentina

15 Martin Rodriguez, 14 Gonzalo Camacho, 13 Marcelo Bosch, 12 Santiago Fernandez, 11 Horacio Agulla, 10 Juan Martin Hernandez, 9 Nicolas Vergallo, 8 Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe (Captain), 7 Juan Manuel Leguizamon, 6 Julio Farias Cabello, 5 Patricio Albacete, 4 Manuel Carizza, 3 Juan Figallo, 2 Eusebio Guinazu, 1 Rodrigo Roncero

Replacements: 16-Agustin Creevy, 17-Marcos Ayerza, 18-Juan Pablo Orlandi, 19-Leonardo Senatore, 20-Thomas Leonardi, 21-Martin Landajo, 22-Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino.