The Argentina head coach, Michael Cheika, is expecting an attritional Rugby World Cup encounter with England after naming his team for their Pool D opener on Saturday night.
The former Wallabies coach has named an experienced XV for the high-stakes match in Marseille against Steve Borthwick’s side, selecting six forwards among eight replacements.
“It was difficult to choose the starting team, because they are all available,” Cheika said on Thursday. “Given the game we imagine it will be, we will have six forwards and two backs in the reserves.”
Juan Cruz Mallía of Toulouse returns at full-back and provides cover at fly-half, helping to accommodate an extra forward on the bench. Cheika’s selection indicates the kind of approach he anticipates from Borthwick’s England, who have put an emphasis on set-piece solidity since he took charge last year.
“We have a lot of confidence in him and in his role,” Cheika said of Mallía. “It’s not easy to change positions. He has touched the ball many times more when he plays at fly-half, a position that requires more responsibility. [Nicolás] Sánchez is training well, with continuity in the game, but Mallía can be a fly-half.”
The Pumas will be captained by the hooker, Julián Montoya of Leicester, who packs down in the front row with Thomas Gallo and Francisco Gómez Kodela, while the second-row pairing of Matías Alemanno and Tomás Lavanini start together for the first time since the 2015 World Cup.
Pablo Matera (No 6), Marcos Kremer (No 7) and Juan Martin González (No 8) make up a dynamic back row, with Gloucester’s Santiago Carreras at fly-half alongside the No 9 Gonzalo Bertranou.
Emiliano Boffelli, who kicked 25 points for the Pumas in their one-point win against England at Twickenham last November, starts on the right wing, with Mateo Carreras on the left, and the inside centre Santiago Chocobares partnering Lucio Cinti in midfield.
“We expect a fervent public,” Cheika said of what promises to be a highly-charged occasion in the south of France. “My family will be there, the family of many players also, and we know there will be many Argentinian fans.
“It is a nice experience because the Rugby World Cup happens every four years. For many [supporters] it is important; they spend their savings to be here, and we want them to enjoy it.”
The temperature in Marseille is forecast to peak at 30C on Saturday, dropping to around 23C for the evening kick-off scheduled for 8pm UK time. “We prepared as we always do,” added Cheika. “We are happy. Preparation is more important than the game because it is what we can control.”
Meanwhile, the blindside flanker Matera – who captained Argentina to their first ever win against the All Blacks nearly three years ago – said he is “afraid” before the potentially decisive opening game, adding that the Pumas are determined to concentrate on themselves.
“I would be lying if I told you that I am not afraid or not anxious,” Matera said. “The important thing is to keep the focus and transform it into energy.
“Our confidence is going to be in what we do. Today we have the focus placed on ourselves, on what we are doing and what we want to do. Whatever England are going to do, we are prepared to face it.”
