Argentina’s prop Eduardo Bello will have knee surgery following an injury sustained during a recent match, resulting in a significant recovery period, the Argentine rugby union announced on Wednesday. Bello tore his anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during Argentina’s commanding win against Australia in Santa Fe last Saturday, excluding him from the 32-man squad for the Rugby Championship match against South Africa in Santiago del Estero on September 21.
To compensate for Bello’s absence, Argentina’s coach Felipe Contepomi has named two new props: 26-year-old Lucio Sordoni and 28-year-old Ignacio Calles, who is returning after rupturing his Achilles tendon before last year’s World Cup but has resumed playing with the French club Pau. Sordoni recently transferred from the Glasgow Warriors to Racing 92 in France.
Additionally, veteran winger Matias Moroni makes a comeback from a hip injury, having missed the last two encounters against Australia. Lock Pedro Rubiolo, who was concussed early in the previous match against the Wallabies, is also returning to the lineup. Scrumhalf Lautaro Bazan Velez, who experienced a muscle strain prior to the game in La Plata, is now fit to participate.
Currently, Argentina stands as the only team capable of overtaking South Africa in the Rugby Championship standings, but they must secure a victory in Santiago del Estero to maintain their chances. The teams will face each other again in Nelspruit on September 28, with Argentina set to announce their squad for that match after next Saturday’s home test.
Argentina’s squad includes the following players:
Backs: Tomas Albornoz, Lautaro Bazan Velez, Gonzalo Bertranou, Mateo Carreras, Santiago Carreras, Santiago Chocobares, Lucio Cinti, Bautista Delguy, Gonzalo Garcia, Rodrigo Isgro, Juan Cruz Mallia, Ignacio Mendy, Matias Moroni, Matias Orlando, Justo Piccardo.
Forwards: Bautista Bernasconi, Ignacio Calles, Pedro Delgado, Thomas Gallo, Juan Martin Gonzalez, Santiago Grondona, Marcos Kremer, Tomas Lavanini, Pablo Matera, Franco Molina, Julian Montoya, Joaquin Oviedo, Guido Petti, Pedro Rubiolo, Ignacio Ruiz, Joel Sclavi, Lucio Sordoni.