Argentina Lose Enforcer for Rugby Championship Final in Nelspruit - Americas Rugby News
Argentina will be missing their tough player, Marcos Kremer, for the Rugby Championship Final in Nelspruit. Kremer sustained an injury during the second half of the match against South Africa in Santiago del Estero on Saturday.
An injury led to backup hooker Ignacio Ruiz stepping in as a flanker. This adjustment took place in the 63rd minute, after Juan Martín González came on for Pablo Matera in the 56th minute.
Felipe Contepomi has selected four back-row players for the trip to South Africa: González, Matera, Santiago Grondona, and Joaquín Oviedo. All of these players are well-known members of the team. Meanwhile, Kremer's return hasn't been officially confirmed, but it is anticipated that he will play for Clermont in the Top 14.
Kremer is the second regular forward for the Pumas to get injured in just two matches. Tighthead prop Eduardo Bello needs surgery after getting hurt during the game against Australia in Santa Fe. He will miss Argentina's November international games and won't be back on the field for the Newcastle Falcons until 2025.
Kremer is a significant absence from Felipe Contepomi’s squad of 28 for the upcoming trip to Nelspruit. Other players who will not be making the journey to South Africa include loosehead prop Matías Medrano, number eight Joaquín Moro, centers Justo Piccardo and Matías Orlando, as well as wingers Ignacio Mendy and Santiago Pernas. It's worth noting that Medrano, Piccardo, and Pernas have yet to earn their first caps.
LOOSE HEAD PROP Ignacio Calles (Pau, France; 4 appearances) Thomas Gallo (Benetton, Italy; 31 appearances)
HOOKER Bautista Bernasconi (Benetton, Italy; yet to earn his first cap) Julián Montoya (Leicester Tigers, Great Britain-England; 101 appearances) Ignacio Ruiz (Perpignan, France; 13 appearances)
TIGHT HEAD PROP Pedro Delgado (Dogos; 1 appearance) Joel Sclavi (La Rochelle, France; 23 appearances) Lucio Sordoni (Racing 92, France; 7 appearances)
**Second Row Players** - Tomás Lavanini (Lyon, France; 90 appearances) - Franco Molina (Dogos; 8 appearances) - Guido Petti (Bordeaux, France; 85 appearances) - Pedro Rubiolo (Newcastle Falcons, England; 16 appearances)
FLANKER Juan Martín González (Saracens, GB-ENG; 36 appearances), Santiago Grondona (Bristol Bears, GB-ENG; 16 appearances), and Pablo Matera (Honda Heat, Japan; 106 appearances)
N8 Joaquín Oviedo (from Perpignan, France; has played 9 matches)
SCRUM-HALF Lautaro Bazán Vélez (Benetton, Italy; 16 appearances), Gonzalo Bertranou (currently without a club; 65 appearances), and Gonzalo García (Zebre, Italy; 7 appearances).
Fly-half Tomás Albornoz (Benetton, Italy; 13 appearances) and Santiago Carreras (Gloucester, England; 50 appearances) are both notable players in this position.
CENTER Santiago Chocobares (Toulouse, France; 26 appearances) Lucio Cinti (Saracens, Great Britain-England; 28 appearances) Matías Moroni (currently without a club; 85 appearances)
WINGER Mateo Carreras (Bayonne, France; 25 appearances), Bautista Delguy (Clermont, France; 30 appearances), and Rodrigo Isgró (Harlequins, Great Britain-England; 3 appearances)
Fullback Juan Cruz Mallía, who plays for Toulouse in France, has earned 37 appearances for his national team.
