Argentina pick surprise flyhalf to face All Blacks

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Gloucester wing Santiago Carreras will start at flyhalf in a much-changed Argentina team for the second Test match against New Zealand  in Brisbane on Saturday.

Argentina head coach Mario Ledesma has rung the changes following their 39-0 loss to the All Blacks this past Sunday.

In the biggest call, wing Carreras replaces veteran Nicolas Sanchez at flyhalf. It will be the first time that the 23-year-old Carreras starts in the No 10 jersey, having come on as a replacement flyhalf against New Zealand last year.

There is also a fresh, youthful centre pairing in 22-year-old Santiago Chocobares and 21-year-old Lucio Cinti, the latter making his first Test start for Argentina.

In the pack, an injury to Rodrigo Bruni hands Juan Martin Gonzalez his first Test start, with Pablo Matera shifting from openside flank to No 8 as a result.

In the final change to the starting lineup, Tomas Lavinini replaces Guido Petti in a rotational swap to the second row.

On the bench, Scarlets flank Tomas Lezana is set to make his first Test appearance of 2021.

Photo: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

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Dylan Jack