Argentina’s third row Pablo Matera is out for the end of the Rugby World Cup and is replaced in the group by Lucas Paulos, the Argentine federation announced on Tuesday.
“Lucas Paulos was called into the Pumas squad to replace Pablo Matera. We welcome Lucas and a speedy recovery to Pablo,” the Argentine federation said on X (formerly Twitter).
Pablo Matera, former captain, was injured on Sunday during the South Americans’ victory against Japan (39-27) in Nantes in the first half and suffered a large tear in his right hamstring.
This is a hard blow for the Pumas because Pablo Matera (1.93 m, 110 kg) is a key element of the Argentine team, very experienced and tough in combat, even if he made a World Cup in halftone.
To face Wales on Saturday in Marseille in the quarter-final, coach Michael Cheika could select Rodrigo Bruni in eight and slide Juan Martin Gonzalez into the third wing line, or start Facundo Isa, very prominent against Chile, in number eight. Michael Cheika is expected to announce his team on Thursday.
Lucas Paulos (1.99 m, 123 kg), who played in Brive, has worn the colors of Bayonne since this season, and usually plays in the second row.