Argentina head coach Felipe Contepomi has named his squad for the 2025 Rugby Championship opener against the All Blacks, this weekend in Cordoba. Whilst the match day 23 will be revealed later this week, there are already some notable Pumas absences and players making their season debuts.

Utility back Matías Moroni, who impressed during Argentina’s July series against England, has been left out of the squad. Loose forward Facundo Isa, who opted out of the 2024 international campaign, and lock Tomás Lavanini also miss out, while scrum-half Gonzalo Bertranou remains sidelined due to injury.

Injuries have ruled out the trio of Benjamin Grondona, Emiliano Boffelli, and Thomas Gallo from contention. Juan Cruz Mallía, Santiago Chocobares, Marcos Kremer, Bautista Delguy, Mateo Carreras, and Ignacio Ruiz, who did not feature against England, or in the 1888 Cup match against the British & Irish Lions, are set to make their first appearances of the season in the blue and white hoops.

Argentina have beaten the All Blacks three times, most recently in a thrilling 38-30 victory in Wellington last year. However, Los Pumas have never beaten New Zealand on Argentine soil. The teams last met at Eden Park in the 2024 Rugby Championship, with the All Blacks taking home a comfortable 42-10 win.

This weekend’s match will be the first Test between the sides in Cordoba, taking place at the Mario Alberto Kempes Stadium, in what is the All Blacks’ first visit to the city since 2014. French referee Pierre Brousset will oversee the opener, with Australian Nic Berry appointed for the second Test in Buenos Aires.

Argentina squad to prepare for the All Blacks (2025 Rugby Championship Rounds 1 & 2)

Forwards: Bautista Bernasconi, Francisco Coria Marchetti, Pedro Delgado, Juan Martin Gonzalez, Santiago Grondona, Marcos Kremer, Pablo Matera, Franco Molina, Julian Montoya, Joaquin Oviedo, Lucas Paulos, Guido Petti, Pedro Rubiolo, Ignacio Ruiz, Joel Sclavi, Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, Mayco Vivas, Boris Wenger.

Backs: Thomas Bathrobe, Simon Benitez Cruz, Mateo Carreras, Santiago Chocobares, Lucio Cinti, Bautista Delguy, Benjamin Elizalde, Gonzalo Garcia, Rodrigo Isgro, Juan Cruz Mallia, Ignacio Mendy, Agustin Moyano, Justo Piccardo, Geronimo Prisciantelli.

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