RugbyRebels

Argentina: 15 Benjamin Elizalde, 14 Matias Moroni, 13 Lucio Cinti, 12 Justo Piccardo, 11 Ignacio Mendy, 10 Santi Carreras, 9 Simon Benitez Cruz, 8 Pablo Matera, 7 Juan Martin Gonzalez, 6 Santiago Grondona, 5 Pedro Rubiolo, 4 Guido Petti, 3 Francisco Gomez Kodela, 2 Julian Montoya, 1 Thomas Gallo
Replacements: 16 Bautista Bernasconi, 17 Mayco Vivas, 18 Pedro Delgado, 19 Lucas Paulos, 20 Facundo Isa, 21 Benjamin Grondona, 22 Agustin Moyano, 23 Nicolas Roge

England: 15 Freddie Steward, 14 Tom Roebuck, 13 Luke Northmore, 12 Seb Atkinson, 11 Will Muir, 10 George Ford (cc), 9 Ben Spencer, 8 Tom Willis, 7 Sam Underhill, 6 Ben Curry, 5 Alex Coles, 4 Charlie Ewels, 3 Joe Heyes, 2 Jamie George (cc), 1 Fin Baxter
Replacements: 16 Theo Dan, 17 Bevan Rodd, 18 Asher Opoku-Fordjour, 19 Chandler Cunningham-South, 20 Guy Pepper, 21 Alex Dombrandt, 22 Jack van Poortvliet, 23 Cadan Murley

Some interesting changes there for Argentina.

I expected Albornoz to play and Moroni on the wing is unexpected. I’m also surprised to see Matera at 8 with Grondona at 6. Feels like that should be the other way around?

Otherwise starting props are the main difference I think?

Yeah, odd. Cinti has played wing as well I thought.

Still not loving the balance of the back 3 but seems they all played well.

Can see why they stuck as much as possible though, that win last week felt important, even with Dombrandt being the worst player/human we’ve ever seen.

Really didn't expect Northmore to get the nod. Also, Dombrandt. Well, to be frank 6:2 splits!

Nor did I expect Moroni on the wing!

Epaminondas Pules wrote: ↑Fri Jul 11, 2025 11:14 am Really didn't expect Northmore to get the nod. Also, Dombrandt. Well, to be frank 6:2 splits!

Nor did I expect Moroni on the wing!

henceforth known as 6 fucking 2

Scrumhead wrote: ↑Thu Jul 10, 2025 10:35 pm Some interesting changes there for Argentina.

I expected Albornoz to play and Moroni on the wing is unexpected. I’m also surprised to see Matera at 8 with Grondona at 6. Feels like that should be the other way around?

Otherwise starting props are the main difference I think?

Is ISA crocked- or is it a cash issue?

Banquo wrote: ↑Fri Jul 11, 2025 2:34 pm

Scrumhead wrote: ↑Thu Jul 10, 2025 10:35 pm Some interesting changes there for Argentina.

I expected Albornoz to play and Moroni on the wing is unexpected. I’m also surprised to see Matera at 8 with Grondona at 6. Feels like that should be the other way around?

Otherwise starting props are the main difference I think?

Is ISA crocked- or is it a cash issue?

Oviedo is being rested as well, he was fantastic Vs the Lions with Albornez.

Seems some are being held back for the Rugby Championship. Unsure why with these tests being at home. Would surely be better to have your strongest side at home and then rotate for the away games in the Rugby Championship if required.

Curious to know how others feel about today’s game.

First and foremost, I hope we have taken confidence from last week and go into the game with the right mindset. One of our weaknesses is failing to put together consecutive good performances (although arguably we did that at the end of the 6N?) and I don’t want anyone to be thinking ‘one win is good enough’.

I could live with a defeat if we play very well, but as I’ve said all week, I think a 2-0 series win could be very important in the development curve of this group of players.

My prediction is probably a narrow defeat, but I hope I’m wrong. We’ll see.

Expect Argentina to be better. The changes to the front 5 should help. Think they'll be bit more pragmatic and patient in and around our 22.

For us, its about pushing on. We'll want to get our set piece right and continue with the kind of resilient defensive effort we put in last week. Add some attacking flourish and we'll see where the result goes.

2-0 will be quite an achievement.

I think we can improve substantially on our performance in the first match. Can that improvement match Argentina's inevitable improvement? Yes, if cohesion is up a notch.

At Kingswood Walking rugby festival and hoping to get some inspiration from Lions and England sides!

jngf wrote: ↑Sat Jul 12, 2025 10:54 am At Kingswood Walking rugby festival

Trundling or watching?
I thought I was the only wanderer on RR

Which Tyler wrote: ↑Sat Jul 12, 2025 11:25 am

jngf wrote: ↑Sat Jul 12, 2025 10:54 am At Kingswood Walking rugby festival

Trundling or watching?
I thought I was the only wanderer on RR

Both, but you could roast s on the rugby field

jngf wrote: ↑Sat Jul 12, 2025 12:39 pm
Both, but you could roast s on the rugby field

We couldn't put a team together (generally struggle at weekends) and in this weather, I'm very happy not to be playing.
Though having said that, I did manage to tear my calf playing on Wednesday.

Who do you play for?

Which Tyler wrote: ↑Sat Jul 12, 2025 11:25 am

jngf wrote: ↑Sat Jul 12, 2025 10:54 am At Kingswood Walking rugby festival

Trundling or watching?
I thought I was the only wanderer on RR

Would love to have been at Kingswood this weekend but not enough of the 60 players on the WhatsApp group were interested. Definitely next year though!
Wath Warriors Walking Rugby

Oooh, 3 of us - might be an idea to start a new thread.
I'm Tewkesbury Trundlers, and jealous of you having 60 in your group, were about half that, that tends to result in 10-15 turning up any given Wednesday. I think we sent a team to Kingswood last year, but didn't include myself.

Either of you two been tempted by T1?
Here the players are concerningly young fit and agile, mostly colts, plus the 2 wingers and a flanker from the first XV - which puts me off. I'm happy with what we have.

ETA, @Puja - do you want to move this conversation to the existing WR thread?
http://www.rugbyrebels.co.uk/viewtopic. ... by#p329052

So Dan starting, Langdon to bench whilst George shoots to the barbers for a mullet before heading to Aus

p/d wrote: ↑Sat Jul 12, 2025 4:14 pm So Dan starting, Langdon to bench whilst George shoots to the barbers for a mullet before heading to Aus

At least, the pecking order stands with Dan starting. Should be interesting!

Oakboy wrote: ↑Sat Jul 12, 2025 4:19 pm

p/d wrote: ↑Sat Jul 12, 2025 4:14 pm So Dan starting, Langdon to bench whilst George shoots to the barbers for a mullet before heading to Aus

At least, the pecking order stands with Dan starting. Should be interesting!

Losing such an experienced player from the pack this close to kick off is a blow. Would have been better had he played and then caught the flight to Aus.

FKAS wrote: ↑Sat Jul 12, 2025 4:25 pm

Oakboy wrote: ↑Sat Jul 12, 2025 4:19 pm

p/d wrote: ↑Sat Jul 12, 2025 4:14 pm So Dan starting, Langdon to bench whilst George shoots to the barbers for a mullet before heading to Aus

At least, the pecking order stands with Dan starting. Should be interesting!

Losing such an experienced player from the pack this close to kick off is a blow. Would have been better had he played and then caught the flight to Aus.

Quite. Lions should have had to wait. Ridiculous

Yeah wtaf. Guess they didn't want to risk George picking up a knock but I care far more about England than the Lions, so bollocks to Farrell

Exactly!!!

WTF!!! George should play tonight and then dash off to the jamboree. Outrageous that he has been pulled out of the team at such short notice.

Danno wrote: ↑Sat Jul 12, 2025 4:34 pm Yeah wtaf. Guess they didn't want to risk George picking up a knock but I care far more about England than the Lions, so bollocks to Farrell

I agree in principle but, even though he's the ultimate professional, George must have been affected by the news. I don't like the Lions concept and have had to force myself to revive interest in it. I keep getting told that it IS the players' ultimate playing ambition. I have to accept that and can see that, if it applies, George was best off going.

We always suffer serious injuries and some loss of form from the Lions tours. So far, I think it is only Daly??

Oakboy wrote: ↑Sat Jul 12, 2025 4:46 pm

Danno wrote: ↑Sat Jul 12, 2025 4:34 pm Yeah wtaf. Guess they didn't want to risk George picking up a knock but I care far more about England than the Lions, so bollocks to Farrell

I agree in principle but, even though he's the ultimate professional, George must have been affected by the news. I don't like the Lions concept and have had to force myself to revive interest in it. I keep getting told that it IS the players' ultimate playing ambition. I have to accept that and can see that, if it applies, George was best off going.

We always suffer serious injuries and some loss of form from the Lions tours. So far, I think it is only Daly??

Conversely a couple of players have said they’ve already learned so much on this lions tour. Genge as an example is carrying so much better.

But pulling George out of a test with 8 hours notice is stupid