Dragons RFC scrum half Gonzalo Bertranou could win his 50th cap for Argentina when face New Zealand in the Rugby Championship opener against New Zealand in Mendoza on Saturday (kick-off 8.10pm UK).
Bertranou is named in a 30-man squad by Los Pumas head coach Michael Cheika who has also named two sevens stars, Rodrigo Isgro and Luciano Gonzalez, in his squad while uncapped half-back Ignacio Inchauspe will train with the squad but will not be considered for the intriguing opener against the All Blacks.
Argentina will be without Marcos Kremer who is out after a suspension following a red card he received in the colours of Stade Francais. Leicester Tiger Julian Montoya is named captain.
The opener against New Zealand in Mendoza is the side’s only game at home in the shortened Rugby Championship. After that, they will travel to Australia and South Africa for rounds two and three.
Argentina squad to face New Zealand:
Tomas Albornoz, Matias Alemanno, Lautaro Bazan Velez, Eduardo Bello, Gonzalo Bertranou, Emiliano Boffelli, Rodrigo Bruni, Sebastien Cancelliere, Mateo Carreras, Santiago Carreras, Lucio Cinti, Agustin Creevy, Bautista Delguy, Thomas Gallo, Luciano Gonzalez, Juan Martin Gonzalez, Santiago Grondona, Rodrigo Isgro, Tomas Lavanini, Pablo Matera, Santiago Medrano, Julian Montoya (captain), Matias Moroni, Matias Orlando, Lucas Paulos, Pedro Rubiolo, Ignacio Ruiz, Nicolas Sanchez, Lucio Sordoni, Mayco Vivas
