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SPORTS | 26-10-2023 10:06

Argentina veteran Cubelli returns for Rugby World Cup third place play-off

Facundo Isa said on Thursday Argentina want to make up for losing in 2015's Rugby World Cup third-place playoff when they face England in the corresponding fixture in this year's tournament.

Experienced scrum-half Tomás Cubelli is one of three changes made by Argentina head coach Michael Cheika for Friday's Rugby World Cup third place play-off with England to the side that began the semi-final with New Zealand.

Cubelli, 34, returns to the starting line-up after missing last Friday's 44-6 thrashing by the All Blacks.

Young lock Pedro Rubiolo and centre Jerónimo de la Fuente are the other changes.

Cubelli comes in for Gonzalo Bertranou, Rubiolo replaces Tomás Lavanini and De La Fuente is in for Santiago Chocobares.

Cheika's side get a chance to avenge their opening pool stage defeat by England, who beat the Pumas 27-10 despite playing most of the match with just 14 men after Tom Curry was red carded.

Rubiolo, De la Fuente, number eight Facundo Isa and replacement fly-half Nicolás Sánchez are the only players who did not feature in the pool game.

The Pumas are aiming to match their best ever finish in a World Cup, when they beat hosts France to claim third place in 2007.

Isa said on Thursday Argentina want to make up for losing in 2015's Rugby World Cup third-place play-off when they face England in the corresponding fixture in this year's tournament.

Isa, 30, was a second-half substitute eight years ago when the Pumas were beaten by South Africa.

The number eight has kept his starting position in the back-row after last week's semi-final defeat to New Zealand and will face England in Paris this Friday.

"We did not give it enough importance," Isa told reporters.

"Nowadays, with a different head, with coaches who push us to go for that, leaving aside what happened in the semi-finals, we are going to go for it in this game," he added.

England beat Argentina 27-10 the last time they met, in their tournament-opening game on September 9 when George Ford scored all of England's points with the boot.

"It's going to be a battle to see who imposes their game and how," Pumas forwards coach Andres Bordoy said.

"We are lucky to have the chance for revenge for that first match against England that left us with such ugly feelings," he added.



Argentina team (15-1)

Juan Cruz Mallia; Emiliano Boffelli, Lucio Cinti, Jerónimo de la Fuente, Mateo Carreras; Santiago Carreras, Tomás Cubelli; Facundo Isa, Marcos Kremer, Juan Martín González; Pedro Rubiolo, Guido Petti; Francisco Gómez Kodela, Julián Montoya (captain), Thomas Gallo

Replacements: Agustín Creevy, Joel Sclavi, Eduardo Bello, Matias Alemanno, Rodrigo Bruno, Lautaro Bazán Vélez Nicholás Sánchez, Matías Moroni

Coach: Michael Cheika (AUS)

 

England tea, (15-1)

Marcus Smith; Freddie Steward, Joe Marchant, Manu Tuilagi, Henry Arundell; Owen Farrell (captain), Ben Youngs; Ben Earl, Sam Underhill, Tom Curry; Ollie Chessum, Maro Itoje; Will Stuart, Theo Dan, Ellis Genge

Replacements: Jamie George, Bevan Rodd, Dan Cole, Dave Ribbans, Lewis Ludlam, Danny Care, George Ford, Ollie Lawrence

Coach: Steve Borthwick (ENG)

 

Referee: Nic Berry (AUS)

 

– TIMES/AFP

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