Phelan captains Argentina for Romania clash

Flanker Santiago Phelan becomes Argentina’s third different World Cup captain today for the Pool A clash against Romania.

Phelan will retire from international combat at the end of the tournament, so Pumas coach Marcelo Loffreda offered the 29-year-old the chance to end his career by leading his country to victory over Romania at Aussie Stadium.

The Argentina side shows six changes from the one which defeated Namibia last week, although centre Martin Gaitan, who scored a hat-trick against the Africans, retains his place.

Meanwhile, Romanian coach Bernard Charreyre has made three changes to the team from that which was beaten by Australia.

Leading try-scorer Gabriel Brezoianu switches to full-back from his usual wing berth as Danut Dumbrava misses out with a shoulder injury sustained in Saturday’s 90-8 hammering by Australia.

Flanker Marian Tudori and wingers Ioan Teodorescu and Mihai Vioreanu come into the Romanian side, who are still searching for their first points in Pool A.

Argentina: J Hernandez; J Nunez Piossek, M Gaitan, M Contepomi, H Senillosa; J Fernandez Miranda, N Fernandez Miranda; R Roncero, M Ledesma, M Scelzo, P Sporleder, P Albacete, S Phelan (capt), M Durand, P Bouza.

Replacements: F Mendez, O Hasan, R Alvarez, R Martin, A Pichot, G Quesada, J Orengo.

Romania:G Brezoianu; M Vioreanu, V Maftei, R Gontineac (capt), I Teodorescu; I Tofan, L Sibru; P Toderasc, R Mavrodin, S Florea, S Socol, C Petre, M Tudori, O Tonita, G Chirac.

Replacements: P Ion, C Popescu, M Socaciu, A Petrichei, F Tatu, A Iulian, C Sauan.