Contepomi throws the door open
Felipe Contepomi has gone young. The Argentina head coach named a 34-man squad on Tuesday for the visits of South Africa and Australia, and ten of those names have never worn the Pumas jersey in a Test.
Facundo Cardozo, Franco Carrera, Agustin Fraga, Francisco Moreno, Benjamin Ordiz, Leonel Oviedo, Juan Penoucos, Juan Martin Scelzo, Mateo Soler and Tobias Wade all earn their first call. The group has already gathered in Cardales to open camp.
Contepomi framed the rotation as a health call as much as a talent hunt. Several senior men will sit out to widen the pool. “Physical and mental health is crucial for us,” he said, pointing to the depth he wants before the bigger nights arrive.
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Two leaders left out after the England fallout
The timing is no accident. Argentina’s last outing ended in a bad-tempered defeat to England, and the aftermath cost them two key figures. Captain Julian Montoya and fly-half Tomas Albornoz both picked up bans and miss this window.
Losing a captain and a first-choice 10 in the same stretch would stretch any side. Contepomi has answered by handing responsibility to a younger core rather than papering over the gaps with short-term fixes.
A brutal welcome home
The reward for the rookies is a schedule with no soft landing. The Springboks arrive at the Jose Amalfitani Stadium in Buenos Aires on 8 August, world champions and all. Australia then follow for Tests in Jujuy on 29 August and Mendoza on 5 September.
Three matches, two of the toughest opponents in the game, and a squad still working out who leads it. Contepomi called these the Pumas’ last home games of the run, and he wants the send-off to count.
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