Argentina coach Michael Cheika on Monday announced his squad for the Rugby World Cup in France, cutting experienced wingers Santiago Cordero and Bautista Delguy. READ | Bok pivot stocks lean ...
but cut Manie some slack, please! Cheika opted for a team made up of 18 forwards and 15 backs, with hooker Julian Montoya as captain.The Australian included fullback Martin Bogado, who made his debut last Saturday against South Africa, and winger Rodrigo Isgro, from Argentina's sevens set-up.Cheika 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," he said.Their last warm-up match for the Pumas will be against Spain in Madrid on 26 August.
Argentina are in Pool D of the World Cup, and start their campaign on 9 September against 2003 winners England. They will then face Samoa on 22 September, Chile on 30 September and Japan on 8 October.Props: Thomas Gallo (Treviso, ITA), Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro (Treviso, ITA), Eduardo Bello (Newcastle, ENG), Joel Sclavi (La Rochelle, FRA), Francisco Gomez Kodela (Lyon, FRA)Hookers: Agustin Creevy (Sale, ENG), Julian Montoya (captain, Leicester, ENG), Ignacio Ruiz (unattached)Locks: Matias Alemanno (Gloucester, ENG), Tomas Lavanini (Clermont, FRA), Guido Petti