Test Rugby: Argentina v Italy

15.11.2008
Argentina v Italy in Turin

Preview
This match takes on considerable importance as it gives both teams an opportunity to make up for the disappointments of last weekend. Argentina just lost out to France whilst Italy also pushed the Wallabies very close.

The pressure is perhaps more on Argentina. After their resounding successes at the 2007 Rugby World Cup, the Pumas are struggling to reassert themselves on the international stage. They lost to Italy the last time they met, in Cordoba back in June. With news out this week putting them in contention to be included in the Tri Nations tournament, the Pumas simply have to perform.

As the underdogs, Italy has just a little less at stake. Perhaps the Italian fans are getting impatient for some consistent success. Italy has struggled at the top level of international rugby since their inclusion into the International Championship, now called the 6 Nations.

Last Five Encounters
28.06.2008 Italy 13-12 in Cordoba
09.06.2007 Argentina 24-6 in Mendoza
18.11.2006 Argentina 23-16 in Rome
19.11.2005 Argentina 39-22 in Genoa
17.06.2005 Italy 30-29 in Cordoba.

GWC Rugby Rankings: World Table-Italy 7th, Argentina 9th

Prediction: Argentina by 7 points.

Teams

Italy
15 Andrea Masi (Biarritz Olympique, France) Age 27, 43 Caps
14 Kaine Robertson (Montepaschi Viadana) 28, 33
13 Matteo Pratichetti (Cammi Calvisano) 23, 10
12 Gonzalo Garcia (Cammi Calvisano) 24, 3
11 Mirco Bergamasco (Stade Français, France) 25, 54
10 Andrea Marcato (Benetton Treviso) 25, 9
9 Pablo Canavosio (Montepaschi Viadana) 26, 21
8 Sergio Parisse Capt. (Stade Français, France) 25, 55
7 Mauro Bergamasco (Stade Français, France) 29, 64
6 Josh Sole (Montepaschi Viadana) 28, 31
5 Marco Bortolami (Gloucester RFC, England) 28, 68
4 Carlo Antonio Del Fava (Ulster, Ireland) 27, 31
3 Carlos Nieto (Gloucester RFC, England) 32, 27
2 Fabio Ongaro (Saracens, England) 31, 56
1 Matias Aguero (Saracens, England) 28, 9
Replacements
16 Leonardo Ghiraldini (Cammi Calvisano) 23, 14
17 Andrea Lo Cicero (Racing Metro Paris ) 31, 76
18 Salvatore Perugini (Stade Toulousain, France) 30, 53
19 Tommaso Reato (Femi CZ Rovigo) 23, 4
20 Pietro Travagli (Overmach Parma) 27, 7
21 Luciano Orquera (Brive, France) 27, 11
22 Luke Mclean (Cammi Calvisano) 21, 2
Head Coach: Nik Mallet

Argentina
15 Bernardo Stortoni (Glasgow Warriors, Scotland) Age 30, 24 tests
14 Federico Martin Aramburu (Perpignan, France) 28, 17
13 Gonzalo Tiesi (Harlequins, England) 23, 17
12 Felipe Contepomi, Capt. (Leinster, Ireland) 30, 65
11 Rafael Carballo (Castres Olympique, France) 26, 4
10 Juan Martin Hernandez (Stade Francais, France) 26, 29
9 Nicolas Vergallo (Dax, France) 24, 12
8 Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe (Sale Sharks, England) 26, 26
7 Rimas Alvarez Kairelis (Perpignan, France) 33, 41
6 Martin Durand (Champagnat) 31, 59
5 Patricio Albacete (Stade Toulousian, France) 27, 27
4 Esteban Lozada (Toulon, France) 26, 11
3 Juan Pablo Orlandi (Rovigo, Italy) 25, 1
2 Mario Ledesma (ASM Clermont Auvergne, France) 35, 67
1 Rodrigo Roncero (Stade Francais, France) 31, 30
Replacements
16 Alberto Basualdo (Stade Toulousian, France) 25, 9
17 Marcos Ayerza (Leicester Tigers, England) 25, 19
18 Alvaro Galindo (Beziers, France) 26, 5
19 Alejandro Campos (Pueyrredon) 25, 3
20 Agustin Figuerola (Club Atletico San Isidro) 23, New Cap
21 Santiago Fernandez (Hindu) 22, New Cap
22 Horacio Agulla (Brive, France) 23, 15
Head Coach: Santiago Phelan

For lists of all international rugby tests played by Argentina, and by Italy, go to www.rugbyinternational.net