Test Match: Argentina Jaguars visit Portugal

21.11.2009
Argentina 'A' v Portugal

Venue: Estadio Universitario de Lisboa

Referee:

Preview
The IRB's programme to foster international rugby contacts for tier 2 nations sees Argentina 'A' making a tour of Europe. They have already played Georgia, losing 22-24. This being the last match of their tour.

Portugal has selected a stronger side than that that played Namibia (lost 9-12) earlier in the month. A number of France-based players are playing, including Beca and Rubela who will be making their test debuts if they play. Also returning is 35 year old veteran Portela, who last played in Portugal's 2007 Rugby World Cup team.

Portela last played for Portugal at the 2007 World Cup. Image thanks to www.fpr.pt

Argentina 'A' has selected a team fairly different to that which lost by 2 points to Georgia last weekend. Looks like everybody gets a run.

Francisco Albarracin training for Argentina 'A'. Image thanks to www.uar.com.ar

Previous Encounter
14.06.2006 Argentina 'A' 34-29 in Lisbon (IRB Nations Cup)

GWC Rugby Rankings do not apply.

Prediction: Argentina 'A' by 5 points

Teams

Argentina ‘A’ Squad
Gastón De Robertis
Matías Cortese
Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro
Hugo Schierano
Tomás Roan
Rodrigo Bruno
Agustín Guzmán
Leonardo Senatore, Capt.
Francisco Albarracin
Santiago González Iglesias
Francisco Merello
Miguel Avramovic
Juan Pablo Estelles
Belisario Agulla
Joaquín Tuculet
Replacements
Álvaro Tejeda
Juan Gómez
Mariano Galarza
Rodrigo Baez
Martín Landajo
Nicolás Sanchez
Gabriel Ascárate
Coaches: José Orengo and Raúl Pérez

http://www.uar.com.ar/noticias4.asp?notcod=20091119170728

Portugal Squad
Eduardo Acosta (GD Direito) Age 31, 10 tests
Aurelien Beco (Limoges, France) 23, New Cap
Pedro Cabral (CD University Lisboa) 26, 22
João Correia, Capt. (GD Direito) 28, 46
Thomaz Da Costa (Lourdes, France) 25, 1
David dos Reis (Nimes, France) 32, 3
Gonçalo Foro (CD University Lisboa) 27, 17
Tiago Girão (CD University Lisboa) 24, 20
João Junior (CD University Lisboa) 23, 6
Pedro Leal (GD Direito) 25, 34
David Mateus (OS Belenenses) 29, 32
Diogo Mateus (OS Belenenses) 29, 65
Juan Murre (Auch, France) 29, 16
Salvador Palha (GD Direito) 25, 11
Duarte Cardoso Pinto (AEIS Agronomia) 27, 41
Miguel Portela (GD Direito) 35, 57
Emmanuel Rebelo (Dijon, France) 28, New Cap
Jorge Segurado (GD Direito) 25, 6
Francisco Serra (Académica) 23, 1
Juan Severino (AEIS Agronomia) 27, 24
Pedro Silva (OS Belenenses) 24, 8
Gonçalo Uva (GD Direito) 24, 41
Vasco Uva (GD Direito) 26, 56
Head Coach: Tomaz Morais

Back in- Murre, dos Reis, Beca (debut), Rebelo (debut)-all France-based, Portela (veteran, returning), Serra. Still no Spachuck

Out of squad (from v Namibia)
Hugo Valente (OS Belenenses)
João Uva (OS Belenenses)
Frederico Oliveira (CD University Lisboa)
Lourenço Kadosh (AEIS Agronomia)
Sebastião Cunha (OS Belenenses)
Pedro Carvalho (GD Direito)
António Aguilar (GD Direito)

http://www.fpr.pt/noticias/noticia.asp?opm=25&id=7708&id2=25