Contepomi to lead Pumas for Irish clash
Coach Marcelo Loffreda named Contepomi as skipper in place of the absent Agustin Pichot, who has club commitments with Stade Francais, when he announced his team yesterday for the first of two tests.
Around half the team are British-based, including Saracens wing Tomas de Vedia, who makes his Pumas debut. CASI lock James Stuart also makes his first start for the national side.
Meanwhile winger Ashwin Willemse is set to play his first Test in two years for South Africa after coach Jake White named him in the team to face England on Saturday.
The former South African player of the year has been dogged by injuries since making the last of his 15 appearances for his country in 2005.
Elsewhere, Wynand Olivier comes in for the injured Jaque Fourie, Ricky Januarie replaces Fourie du Preez and Danie Rossouw, who usually plays blindside flanker or lock for the Bulls, takes the Number 8 shirt.
Wallaby coach John Connolly’s plans to base the foundation of victory against Wales on improved forward power began to unravel hours after his original team announcement.
Tight-head prop Al Baxter withdrew from the starting line-up eight hours after being named to take on resurgent Wales and Llanelli Scarlets loose-head Iestyn Thomas.
A Wallaby statement read: “Al Baxter has been ruled out of Saturday night’s opening clash with Wales through illness.
“Baxter has been battling bronchitis during the week and was yesterday withdrawn from the weekend clash.”
Brumbies prop Guy Shepherdson comes into the starting line-up and his place on the replacements bench goes to Waratah Benn Robinson.
Connolly can at least look on Baxter’s withdrawal in one positive light. It brings forward his plans to rotate squad members during the two Tests against Wales and the one that follows against Fiji in Perth on June 9.
Elsewhere Wales head coach Gareth Jenkins has challenged Colin Charvis to deliver his club form at international level when he lines up against Australia at Telstra Stadium in Sydney on Saturday.
The 34-year-old, who joined the squad on Monday, goes straight into the side for his 85th cap — a record for a Wales back-row forward — on the back of a stunning season with Newport-Gwent Dragons.
Charvis packs down alongside surprise number eight selection Jonathan Thomas, the Ospreys’ forward who can operate in any of the scrum’s back-five positions.
And Jenkins believes the pair’s versatility could prove a vital asset to his squad during their stay in Australia.
Jenkins said: “With Colin, it’s a case of us looking to reproduce his regional form on the international stage. We are looking for players of his versatility. Like Jonathan Thomas, Colin is capable of covering each position in the back row and he is a player of outstanding ability who could put his hand up on this tour.”
B Stortoni, T De Vedia, M Avramovic, H Senillosa, F Leonelli, F Contepomi (captain), N Vergallo; M Ayerza, A Vernet Basualdo, S González Bonorino, P Bouza, E Lozada, M Durand, J Fernández Lobbe, J Manuel Leguizamón.
Replacements: M Cortese, P Cardinalli, J Stuart, G Fessia, L López Fleming, J Fernández Miranda, H Agulla
P. Montgomery (Sharks), A. Willemse (Lions), W. Olivier (Bulls), J. de Villiers (Stormers), B. Habana (Bulls); B. James (Sharks), R. Januarie (Lions); D. Rossouw (Bulls), J. Smith (Cheetahs), S. Burger (Stormers), V. Matfield (Bulls), B. Botha (Bulls), BJ Botha (Sharks), J. Smit (Sharks), D. Caarstens (Sharks).
L Byrne (Ospreys); G Thomas (capt, Toulouse), J Robinson (Cardiff Blues), S Parker (Ospreys), C Czekaj (Blues); J Hook (Ospreys), M Phillips (Ospreys); I Thomas (Llanelli Scarlets), M Rees (Scarlets), A Jones (Ospreys), B Cockbain (Ospreys), R Sidoli (Blues), C Charvis (Newport-Gwent Dragons), J Thomas (Ospreys), G Thomas (Scarlets).
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