Get Newsletter

Preview: Barbarians v Argentina

The BaaBaas will host a strong Argentinean team at Twickenham on Saturday.

ADVERTISEMENT

However, coach Michael Cheika's message to his Barbarians team was simple.

"Keep it simple, have a go and back yourselves," Cheika told the BaaBaas players.

Argentina have a slightly different focus.

Having finished third in the Rugby Championship – the first time hey did not finish last – and fourth in the World Cup, they hope to finish their year on a winning note.Preview: Barbarians v Argentina

Wing Santiago Cordero, one of the sensations for the Pumas at the World up, said it is going to be a "pretty tough" game.

"They [the BaaBaas] do not have the pressure of having to win and will go out to have fun," the Argentinean flyer said.

ADVERTISEMENT

"They will play with freedom.

"We represent our country and are determined not to lose.

"Hopefully it will be an entertaining game," Cordero said.

He felt that Argentina's big advantage can be that the BaaBaas have not played together much.

ADVERTISEMENT

"We can't afford to let them settle and must enforce our game on them from the outset," he added.

The Barbarians will be captain by Springbok legend Victor Matfield.

World Cup finalists from New Zealand and Australia were aligned in a star-studded Barbarians line-up.

New Zealand wing Nehe Milner-Skudder lines up alongside Australia centre Tevita Kuridrani, three weeks on from the All Blacks' 34-17 triumph against the Wallabies, in a side packed with talent from both teams.

Cheika, who steered Australia to the final, has also called upon five South Africa internationals and giant wing Nemani Nadolo of Fiji.

Pumas coach Daniel Hourcade named a team that shows seven changes from that which lost to South Africa in the third-place play-off at the World Cup.

The players who retained their places in the starting XV are Julian Montoya, Ramiro Herrera, Matias Alemanno, Javier Ortega Desio, Nicolas Sanchez, Cordero Santiago, Jerónimo De la Fuente and Matías Moroni.Preview: Barbarians v Argentina

Although it is not a capped Test, Emiliano Boffelli will make his first appearance in a Pumas shirt if he comes off the bench.

This will only be the second meeting between the Pumas and Barbarians – with the latter having won 34-22 when they met in November 1990.

Teams:

Argentina: 15 Ramiro Moyano, 14 Matías Moroni, 13 Jerónimo De la Fuente, 12 Santiago González Iglesias, 11 Santiago Cordero, 10 Nicolás Sánchez, 9 Martín Landajo (captain), 8 Facundo Isa, 7 Javier Ortega Desio, 6 Pablo Matera, 5 Matías Alemanno, 4 Guido Petti Pagadizabal, 3 Ramiro Herrera, 2 Julián Montoya, 1 Lucas Noguera.

Replacements: 16 Santiago Iglesias Valdez, 17 Santiago García Botta, 18 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, 19 Tomas Lezana, 20 Leonardo Senatore, 21 Felipe Ezcurra, 22 Gabriel Ascarate, 23 Emiliano Boffelli.

Barbarians: 15 Nehe Milner-Skudder (Hurricanes/New Zealand), 14 Waisake Naholo (Highlanders/New Zealand), 13 Tevita Kuridrani (Brumbies/Australia), 12 Ryan Crotty (Crusaders/New Zealand), 11 Nemani Nadolo (Crusaders/Fiji), 10 Lima Sopoaga (Highlanders/New Zealand), 9 Tawera Kerr Barlow (Chiefs/New Zealand), 8 Stephen Hoiles (Waratahs/Australia), 7 Ardie Savea (Hurricanes), 6 Scott Fardy (Brumbies/Australia), 5 Victor Matfield (Northampton/South Africa – captain), 4 Lodewyk de Jager (Cheetahs/South Africa), 3 Charlie Faumuina (Blues/New Zealand), 2 Stephen Moore (Brumbies/Australia), 1 Thomas du Toit (Sharks).

Replacements – from: James Hanson (Melbourne Rebels/Australia), Jamie Mackintosh (Chiefs/New Zealand), Toby Smith (Melbourne Rebels/Australia), Bakkies Botha (South Africa), Jarrad Butler (Brumbies), Cobus Reinach (Sharks/South Africa), Pat Lambie (Sharks/South Africa), Francois Venter (Cheetahs), Joe Tomane (Brumbies/Australia).

Date: Saturday, November 21

Venue: Twickenham, London

Kick-off: 15.05 (15.05 GMT; 12.05 Argentina time)

Referee: JP Doyle (England)

Assistant referees: Tim Wigglesworth (England), Paul Dix (England)

TMO: David Sainsbury (England)

@rugby365com

Preview: Barbarians v Argentina

Join free

Chasing The Sun | Series 1 Episode 1

Fresh Starts | Episode 1 | Will Skelton

ABBIE WARD: A BUMP IN THE ROAD

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | Episode 9

James Cook | The Big Jim Show | Full Episode

New Zealand victorious in TENSE final | Cathay/HSBC Sevens Day Three Men's Highlights

New Zealand crowned BACK-TO-BACK champions | Cathay/HSBC Sevens Day Three Women's Highlights

Japan Rugby League One | Bravelupus v Steelers | Full Match Replay

Write A Comment