Argentina head coach Felipe Contepomi has welcomed the return of his top dogs for Los Pumas\u2019 Rugby Championship opener against the All Blacks in Cordoba.<\/p>\n
Contepomi opted to rest a host of Top 14 players and frontline stars in the two-Test match series against England.<\/p>\n
Argentina welcome back stars<\/p>\n
However, Argentina<\/a> are fully-loaded, minus a handful of injuries, for the Rugby Championship<\/a> clash against New Zealand<\/a>.<\/p>\n Toulouse full-back Juan Cruz Mall\u00eda and Clermont speedster Bautista Delguy return in the back three, which is completed by Harlequins flyer Rodrigo Isgr\u00f3, who was a standout against the Lions.<\/p>\n Lucio Cinti lines up in the outside centre position, while another Toulouse star returns in the midfield in the form of Santiago Chocobares.<\/p>\n Gonzalo Garc\u00eda and Tom\u00e1s Albornoz wreaked havoc against the Lions, producing outrageous performances in the half-backs, but missed the Tests against England.<\/p>\n All Blacks team: Ardie Savea shifts position again as Scott Robertson opts for experience in Rugby Championship opener<\/a><\/p>\n Joaqu\u00edn Oviedo, Marcos Kremer, and Pablo Matera combine in an imposing loose trio as Argentina\u2019s pack is further strengthened by rising star locks Pedro Rubiolo and Franco Molina.<\/p>\n Julian Montoya will captain the team from the middle of the front row with Pedro Delgado at tighthead and Mayco Vivas at loosehead prop.<\/p>\n While Argentina have repeatedly backed a 6-2 bench, Contepomi has resisted the urge to do so again, instead selecting the more conventional 5-3.<\/p>\n Ignacio Ruiz, Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, Joel Sclavi, Guido Petti, and Juan Mart\u00edn Gonz\u00e1lez will provide impact up front, while Sim\u00f3n Ben\u00edtez Cruz, Santiago Carreras, Justo Piccardo are the backline replacements.<\/p>\n