EDINBURGH’s Emiliano Boffelli has moved from the left wing to full-back in the Argentina team for tomorrow’s second Test against Scotland in Salta, while Glasgow stand-off Domingo Miotti comes on to the bench after sitting out last week’s 26-18 victory.
Pumas coach Michael Cheika has made three changes in personnel to his starting line-up from that win in Jujuy. Santiago Carreras is at stand-off in place of Nicolas Sanchez, who was injured midway through the first half of that opening game of the three-match series. At No 8, Rodrigo Bruni replaces Pablo Matera, who has an injury to his face but is expected to be available for selection next week. And Juan Imhoff begins the game on the wing after being a substitute last week.
Cheika was impressed by Boffelli’s performance last week, and said he wanted to see how the Edinburgh player went at full-back, where he has replaced Juan Cruz Mallia. “This is more about seeing different combinations,” the Australian said after announcing his matchday 23.
“Boffelli had a good game last week. We’ve had Carreras and Mallia as full-back options, and now Carreras is at 10 we want to have Boffelli as a full-back option as well. Also he’ll be the goalkicker for the match.”
Boffelli had a poor day with the boot by his own standards last week, missing several attempts at goal. However, he did notch five points through a penalty and a conversion, and won a crucial restart which led to a Pumas try shortly after Scotland had drawn level at 18-18.
Argentina (v Scotland at the Estadio Padre Ernesto Martearena, Salta, Saturday 8.10pm BST): E Boffelli; S Cordero, M Orlando, J de la Fuente, J Imhoff; S Carreras, G Bertranou; N Tetaz Chaparro, J Montoya (captain), F Gomez Kodela, G Petti, M Alemanno, J Gonzalez Samso, M Kremer, R Bruni. Substitutes: A Creevey, M Vivas, J Sclavi, L Paulos, F Isa, G Ezcurra, D Miotti, M Moroni.
