Argentina team to face Australia - Santiago Carreras steps up to 10 in Rugby Championship

Argentina made history upon their second round battle against the All Blacks, with the miraculous 29-23 triumph securing their first ever victory over New Zealand upon Argentine soil. On the bench, uncapped Geronimo Prisciantelli waits as Carreras' understudy at fly half, with a debut on the cards for the Zebre Parma' versatile Swiss-Army Knife

Through the engine room, the front-row shuffle reflects wider changes, following the recent retirement of prop Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, and with his fellow front row star Pedro Delgado off to Harlequins and unavailable for the clash in Queensland. Joel Sclavi slides into tighthead for Los Pumas, and emerging loosehead Boris Wenger is poised to make his Argentina Test debut.

In the back row, Contepomi has shifted Pablo Matera to number eight, while Marcos Kremer returns at blindside flanker, completing a high-powered trio alongside Saracens bruiser Juan Martín González Samso. Joaquin Oviedo moves to the bench, reinforcing forward strength for the second half, with searing 30+ degree heat expected in North Eastern Australia.

With all four Rugby Championship teams locked at one win apiece, Argentina’s consistency and depth could determine their tournament trajectory. The South American side have never won the RC title, with this as level a playing field as any for Los Pumas to sink their claws into and climb up the table.

1. Mayco Vivas
2. Julián Montoya (captain)
3. Joel Sclavi
4. Franco Molina
5. Pedro Rubiolo
6. Marcos Kremer
7. Juan Martín González
8. Pablo Matera
9. Gonzalo García
10. Santiago Carreras
11. Mateo Carreras
12. Santiago Chocobares
13. Lucio Cinti
14. Bautista Delguy
15. Juan Cruz Mallia

Replacements:
16. Ignacio Ruiz
17. Boris Wenger
18. Francisco Coria Marchetti
19. Guido Petti
20. Joaquin Oviedo
21. Agustín Moyano
22. Geronimo Prisciantelli
23. Benjamín Elizalde