February 27, 2015
Argentina XV Host Canada in ARC Match
Doug Coil
ARGENTINA XV V CANADA
Canada last played a senior Argentina men’s rugby team in Calgary in 2005 when they won
22-15. Both nations met in an A team level competition in 2014 with the Argentina Jaguars winning 39-9.
Canada enters this match in third place in the Americas Rugby Championship standings with 10 points, while Argentina XV is in second with 12 points. The USA Rugby Eagles leads the competition with 13 points.
Argentina XV Coach Pablo Bouzo has made seven changes to the squad that narrowly won last week against Uruguay. Juan Manuel Leguizamón and Lucas González Amorosino, both who played in the Rugby World Cup 2015, join the 23 man squad with Leguizamón starting.
Against Uruguay Argentina XV the front row conceded numerous penalties. As a result, props Facundo Gigena and Enrique Pieretto will start, while captain Santiago Iglesias Valdez retains his position.
Juan Cruz González will start at flyhalf, Tomás Granella at inside center beside Juan Cappiello. Juan Pablo Estellés and Pedro Mercerat start at wing and fullback, respectively, in place of Pumas 7s players Axel Müller and Segundo Tuculet.
Francois Ratier’s Canada team sees Captain Hubert Buydens returning to the starting XV and Cam Pierce joining the team from Pau. Phil Mackenzie and Gordon McRorie both return to the lineup after injuries.
Sunday’s game will not be an official test match as the majority of Argentina first team players are playing for the Argentina Jaguares in their inaugural season in Super Rugby.
Francois Ratier indicated that “training has been really good so far since we’ve arrived in Argentina. It’s been over 35 degrees each day but the players and staff have done a well job adapting to the conditions.”
The front row will consist of Captain Hubert Buydens and Djustice Sears-Duru at props and last week’s captain Ray Barkwill at Hooker. Kyle Baillie earns his first start of the year at lock alongside Cam Pierce.
Cam Pierce has played four matches this season for Pau, a Top 14 side. Ratier said “Cam is a pro and he knows what his job is. He’s happy to be here and he fits well into our team culture.”
The back row remains the same with Alistair Clark, Lucas Rumball and Clay Panga.
The backs have McRorie returning at scrum half. Pat Parfrey, who started the first three games at fullback, pairs with McRorie at fly half with Gradyn Bowd being a reserve.
The rest of the backs include Nick Blevins and Mackenzie at the centers, Duncan Maguire and Dan Moor as wings and Brock Staller at fullback.
Canada enters round four after decisive wins against both Brazil and Uruguay and a loss to the United States. Argentian XV drew win the United States and won against both Chile and Uruguay with the latter a close 24-21 win.
Argentina XV v Canada will kickoff Sunday at Duendes Rugby Club, Rosario at 5pm local time, 3pm EST, 12pm PST and the game will be broadcast live on ESPN3. An accessible live broadcast for Canadian viewers has yet to be confirmed.
Referee: Joaquín Montes (Uruguay). Assistants: Mauro Rivera and Andrés Sutton (both Argentina)
Argentina XV vs Canada
1 Facundo Gigena 2 Santiago Iglesias Valdez (capt.) 3 Enrique Pieretto 4 Pedro Ortega 5 Ignacio Larrague 6 Juan Manuel Leguizamón 7 Lautaro Bavaro 8 Santiago Portillo 9 Marcos Bollini 10 Juan Cruz González 11 Franco Cuaranta 12 Tomás Granella 13 Juan Cappiello 14 Juan Pablo Estellés 15 Pedro Mercerat 16 Axel Zapata 17 Roberto Tejerizo 18 Eduardo Bello 19 Marcos Kremer 20 José Deheza 21 Lautaro Bazán 22 Juan León Novillo 23 Lucas González Amorosino
Canada’s Team to face Argentina XV
1. Hubert Buydens, captain 2. Ray Barkwill 3. Djustice Sears-Duru 4. Kyle Baillie 5. Cam Pierce 6. Alistair Clark 7. Lucas Rumball 8. Clay Panga 9. Gordon McRorie 10. Pat Parfrey 11. Duncan Maguire 12. Nick Blevins 13. Phil Mackenzie 14. Dan Moor 15. Brock Staller 16. Eric Howard 17. Ryan Kotlewski 18. Rob Brouwer 19. Alex Mascott 20. Michael Hamson 21. Andrew Ferguson 22. Gradyn Bowd 23. Jacob Robinson
Canada Coaching Staff: Francois Ratier — Head Coach, Chris Silverthorn — Assistant Coach, James Kent — Performance Analyst, Andy Evans — Strength and Conditioning Coach, Carla Brash— Athletic Therapist, Rich Gregory — Athletic Therapist, Dr. John Gillis — Team Doctor, Mark Winokur — Team Manager
Other Americas Rugby Championship matches this weekend include Brazil v USA and Chile v Uruguay.
