Cheika cuts three star players from Argentina’s Rugby World Cup squad
Find out which veterans were left out of Argentina’s squad for Rugby World Cup 2023 here.
Michael Cheika has omitted three of the most experienced players from Argentina’s 33-man squad for the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.
FULL LISTS: All the World Cup squads, All Blacks reveal their hand
THE LUCKY AND UNLUCKY VETERANS
Cheika has dropped wings Santiago Cordero, Bautista Delguy and Matias Orlando from the 33-man group, but retained the services of stalwarts Nicolás Sánchez and Agustín Creevy, who will both be heading to their fourth World Cup.
Tomas Albornoz, Lucas Paulos, Sebastian Cancelliere and Lucio Sordoni were also left out.
The 33-man squad is made up of 18 forwards and 15 backs, with hooker Julian Montoya as captain.
Fullback Martin Bogado, who made his debut last weekend against the Springboks, and winger Rodrigo Isgro, from Argentina’s sevens setup, also both been included in the squad.
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WHAT CHEIKA SAID ABOUT HIS RUGBY WORLD CUP SQUAD
Commenting on his decision to drop 29-year-old Cordero, Cheika said it was a “very difficult” call to make.
“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.”
Argentina are set to play their final Rugby World Cup warm-up against Spain in Madrid on 16 August.
The last warm-up match for the Pumas will be against Spain in Madrid on 16 August.
Argentina are in Pool D of the World Cup, and start their campaign on 9 September against 2003 winners England. Los Pumas will then face Samoa on 22 September , Chile on 30 September and Japan on 8 October.
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FULL ARGENTINA SQUAD:
Forwards
Props: Thomas Gallo, Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, Eduardo Bello, Joel Sclavi, Francisco Gomez Kodela.
Hookers: Agustin Creevy, Julian Montoya (c), Ignacio Ruiz.
Locks: Matias Alemanno, Tomas Lavanini, Guido Petti.
Loose forwards: Rodrigo Bruni, Juan Martin Gonzalez, Santiago Grondona, Facundo Isa, Marcos Kremer, Pablo Matera, Pedro Rubiolo.
Backs
Scrumhalves: Lautaro Bazan Velez, Gonzalo Bertranou, Tomas Cubelli.
Flyhalves: Santiago Carreras, Nicolas Sanchez.
Centres: Santiago Chocobares, Lucio Cinti, Jeronimo De La Fuente, Matias Moroni.
Wings: Emiliano Boffelli, Mateo Carreras, Juan Imhoff, Rodrigo Isgro.
Fullbacks: Martin Bogado, Juan Cruz Mallia.
RUGBY WORLD CUP COACH MICHAEL CHEIKA
