Argentina coach Michael Cheika made three changes to his fifteen on Wednesday to challenge Samoa on Friday (5:45 p.m.) in Saint-Étienne in Group D, with the start of Matias Moroni in the center. For the Pumas’ second match in the 2023 World Cup, Cheika also opted for Eduardo Bello as prop, in place of Gomez-Kodela, and Guido Petti will start in the second row instead of the injured Lavanini.

The South Americans must imperatively win after their inaugural defeat against England, at the end of a particularly disappointing match on their part (27-10) against an opponent quickly reduced to 14. “Since (the training at) Portugal, Moroni is in very good shape, he is very strong in defense, Lucio (Cinti) can finish the game,” explained Michael Cheika during a press conference in La Baule (Loire-Atlantique).

During the week, Cheika had explained the value of this Samoan team, which did not miss its entry into the World Cup by logically winning against Chile (43-10), with the offensive bonus, in Bordeaux. However, she also made three changes for the match against the Pumas.

Pillar Paul Alo-Emile, second row Brian Alainu’u’ese and winger Ben Lam will start. Particularity: all three of them play in the French championship, Alo-Emile at Stade Français, Alainu’u’ese in Toulon and Lam in Montpellier after having worn the colors of Bordeaux-Bègles.

Alo-Emile takes the place of Michael Alaalatoa while Alainu’u’ese will be partnered with Theo McFarland in the second row, pushing Taleni Seu onto the substitutes’ bench. Lam replaces Danny Toala on the left wing. Flyhalf and former All Black Lima Sopoaga, replacing against Chile, is out due to injury. Finally, pillar Charlie Faumuina, also a former All Black, who played at Stade Toulouse and will end his career after the World Cup, takes a place on the substitutes’ bench.

Headlines: Mallia – Boffelli, Moroni, Chocobares, M. Carreras – (o) S. Carreras, (m) Betranou – Kremer, Gonzalez, Matera – Petti, Alemanno – Bello, Montoya (cap.), Gallo

Subs: Creevy, Vivas, Gomez Kodela, Rubiolo, Bruni, Cubelli, Sanchez, Cinti

Titulaires : Paia’aua – Ah Wong, Seuteni, Manu, B. Lam – (o) Leli’ifano, (m) Taumateine ​​- Lee, Luatua, McFarland – Vui (cap.), Alainu’u’ese – P. Alo -Emile, S. Lam, Lay

Remplaçants: Relax, Faumina, Alaatoa, Seu, Taufua, Matavao, Leuila, Toala