Argentina set for Rugby Championship clash with Australia

Argentina has reinstated the experienced second-row pairing of Tomas Lavanini (31) and Guido Petti (29) to enhance their forward strength for the upcoming Rugby Championship match against Australia in Santa Fe on Saturday.

On Thursday, Coach Felipe Contepomi revealed four alterations to the starting lineup following the team's narrow 20-19 defeat to the Wallabies in La Plata last Saturday, where Argentina conceded a late penalty that led to their loss via a last-minute kick.

Both Petti and Lavanini were utilized as substitutes in the previous match, during which Argentina faced challenges in asserting control over the set pieces and rucks amid adverse weather conditions.

Petti's inclusion marks his first test appearance for Argentina this year, and he takes the place of Franco Molina in the starting lineup, while Lavanini steps in for Pedro Rubiolo, who sustained a concussion just moments into last weekend's match.

Santiago Carreras, a dependable kicker, will be replaced at flyhalf by Tomas Albornoz, and Bautista Delguy will take over the right wing position from Santiago Cordero, marking the other changes for both teams in their fourth match of this year's southern hemisphere championship.

The test in Santa Fe will also celebrate Argentina captain Julian Montoya's milestone of 100 caps.

Gonzalo Garcia retains his role as backup scrumhalf after Lautaro Bazan Velez suffered an injury during the warm-up last Saturday.

In a surprising move, Argentina called up 35-year-old Tomas Cubelli this week, who was expected to serve as backup for first-choice Gonzalo Bertranou. However, shortly after joining the camp, Cubelli experienced a muscle strain.

Both Argentina and Australia have recorded two losses in their first three matches of this year's competition.

Team: 15-Juan Cruz Mallia, 14-Bautista Delguy, 13-Lucio Cinti, 12-Santiago Chocobares, 11-Mateo Carreras, 10-Tomas Albornoz, 9-Gonzalo Bertranou, 8-Juan Martin Gonzalez, 7-Marcos Kremer, 6-Pablo Matera, 5-Tomas Lavanini, 4-Guido Petti, 3-Joel Sclavi, 2-Julian Montoya (captain), 1-Thomas Gallo.

Replacements: 16-Ignacio Ruiz, 17-Mayco Vivas, 18-Eduardo Bello, 19-Franco Molina, 20-Joaquin Oviedo, 21-Santiago Grondona, 22-Gonzalo Garcia, 23-Santiago Carreras.