Argentina front row rock Rodrigo Roncero has been cleared to start in the World Cup quarter-final clash with New Zealand, enabling the South Americans to field their strongest available team on Sunday.
The side was announced Friday after Roncero completed a fitness Test after suffering a groin injury when the Pummas pipped Scotland 13-12 two weeks ago in a victory that paved the way for their last eight berth.
The only change from the team that beat the Scots is the inclusion of Leonardo Senatore at No 8, replacing Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe who suffered a tournament-ending knee injury in that match.
Argentina captain and goalkicker Felipe Contepomi needs to score five points against the All Blacks to better Hugo Porta’s Pumas points record of 590.
Mario Ledesma will equal the World Cup record for appearances by a hooker, playing his 18th match to draw level with former France star Raphael Ibanez.
Argentina have lost 12 of their 13 Tests against the All Blacks, with the Pumas’ best result a 21-21 draw in Buenos Aires in 1985.
They finished third at the last World Cup in France four years ago but it would be one of the all-time great upsets were Argentina to beat hosts New Zealand at Eden Park this weekend.
Argentina
15 Martin Rodriguez, 14 Gonzalo Camacho, 13 Marcelo Bosch, 12 Felipe Contepomi (C), 11 Horacio Agulla, 10 Santiago Fernandez, 9 Nicolas Vergallo, 8 Leonardo Senatore, 7 Juan Manuel Leguizamon, 6 Julio Farias Cabello, 5 Patricio Albacete, 4 Manuel Carizza, 3 Juan Figallo, 2 Mario Ledesma, 1 Rodrigo Roncero.
Replacements: 16 Agustin Creevy, 17 Martin Scelzo, 18 Marcos Ayerza, 19 Alejandro Campos, 20 Alfredo Lalanne, 21 Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino, 22 Juan Jose Imhoff.