Head coach Michael Cheika has announced the Argentina squad for the World Cup in France, cutting experienced wingers Santiago Cordero and Bautista Delguy.
Cheika opted for a contingentof 18 forwards and 15 backs, with hooker Julian Montoya as captain. The Aussie included fullback Martin Bogado, who made his debut last weekend against the Springboks, and winger Rodrigo Isgro, from Argentina’s sevens setup.
He said the decision to omit 29-year-old Cordero was “very difficult,” but he decided to go with four centres instead.
Matias Orlando, Tomas Albornoz, Lucas Paulos, Sebastian Cancelliere and Lucio Sordoni were also left out.
“We are going to the World Cup with the experience of Nico Sanchez, who has already been in three World Cups,” said Cheika, referring to the flyhalf.
He said he had picked a “balanced squad”, some of whom could play several positions: “The goal is always to go for the maximum, not to settle for the quarter-finals or semi-finals. We want to reach 28 October [the finals] and win.”
The last warm-up match for the Pumas will be against Spain in Madrid on 16 August.
Argentina are in Pool D of the World Cup, and start their campaign on 9 September against 2003 winners England. Los Pumas will then face Samoa on 22 September , Chile on 30 September and Japan on 8 October.
Full Argentina squad:
Forwards
Props: Thomas Gallo, Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, Eduardo Bello, Joel Sclavi, Francisco Gomez Kodela.
Hookers: Agustin Creevy, Julian Montoya (c), Ignacio Ruiz.
Locks: Matias Alemanno, Tomas Lavanini, Guido Petti.
Loose forwards: Rodrigo Bruni, Juan Martin Gonzalez, Santiago Grondona, Facundo Isa, Marcos Kremer, Pablo Matera, Pedro Rubiolo.
Backs
Scrumhalves: Lautaro Bazan Velez, Gonzalo Bertranou, Tomas Cubelli.
Flyhalves: Santiago Carreras, Nicolas Sanchez.
Centres: Santiago Chocobares, Lucio Cinti, Jeronimo De La Fuente, Matias Moroni.
Wings: Emiliano Boffelli, Mateo Carreras, Juan Imhoff, Rodrigo Isgro.
Fullbacks: Martin Bogado, Juan Cruz Mallia.
Source: Sarugbymag
