AGUSTIN Pichot has highlighted the four most dangerous players in the Argentina side heading for a Twickenham date with the Barbarians. The teams meet in the Killik Cup match at Twickenham on December 1 and tickets are available here
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Argentina's aces: Gus Pichot on the dangerous Pumas
Former Pumas' captain Pichot — now vice chairman of global governing body World Rugby — expects his side to finish the year on a high after victories over South Africa and Australia in the Rugby Championship.
Argentina take on Australia in this weekend's final Rugby Championship match and this time next year they will be facing England, France the USA and Tonga in the World Cup and Pichot believes they will be a force to be reckoned with once more.
World Rugby vice chairman Gus Pichot
He highlights full back Emiliano Boffelli, wing Ramiro Moyano, flanker Pablo Matera and fly half Nicolas Sanchez as the key influences.
"The Under 20s do well, the Jaguares have done well and the Pumas have beaten South Africa and Australia and recovered from a catastrophic June tour by Scotland,” said Pichot, a Barbarians player in the 1990s and 2000s.
EMILIANO BOFFELLI Age: 23. Position: Full back/centre. Caps: 19. Points: 46 (5T, 7P)
"Hopefully now, one year to go to the World Cup we’re starting get better and we’re seeing some changes. Mario Ledesma has brought a bit of height into the team and by the end of the year we’re ready to finish with a big festival of rugby against the Barbarians in England.
“So far Emiliano Bofelli has been outstanding, Ramiro Moyano and Pablo Matera have been really good as well. Nicolas Sanchez been playing really well and he’s creating history for Argentina rugby now.”
PABLO MATERA Age: 25. Position: Back row. Caps: 54. Points: 20 (4T)
Boffelli has been a revelation since switching to full back this summer, scoring tries against New Zealand home and away, while on the wing Moyano — 14 tries in 26 appearances — touched down against South Africa and New Zealand.
Former Leicester Tigers flanker Matera provides an aggressive edge in the back row while Sanchez has established himself as one of the Pumas’ greats at fly half.
RAMIRO MOYANO Age: 28. Position: Wing/full back. Caps: 26. Points: 70 (14T)
The playmaker has now scored 674 international points, overtaking legends Felipe Contepomi and Hugo Porta (both with 651). Only Diego Dominguez (1010) has more.
The Barbarians were beaten 49-31 in their last meeting with Argentina in 2015, when Moyano and Sanchez were among the try scorers.
And whatever the result, Pichot is enthusiastic about the Barbarians who will be out to light up Twickenham with more attacking excitement.
He said: “The Barbarians are everything that’s right about rugby — enjoyment, coming together in a week, having fun, going out on the park with friends from around the world.”
NICOLAS SANCHEZ Age: 29. Position: Fly half. Caps: 70. Points: 674 (11T, 95C, 131P, 12DG)
Tickets to Barbarians v Argentina are available from £20 for Adults and £15 for kids. Visit www.ticketmaster.co.uk/barbarians or call the Ticket Hotline 0844 844 0444. Booking fees apply.
