Rugby: Pumas veteran returns to face All Blacks

Argentina number eight Juan Manuel Leguizamon. Photo / AP

Argentina have recalled veteran No.8 Juan Manuel Leguizamon among four changes to their team to face the All Blacks in Buenos Aires on Sunday (NZT).

Winless in their four Rugby Championship Tests, Pumas coach Daniel Hourcade has turned to 34-year-old Leguizamon to make a difference against the unbeaten visitors.

Unavailable for this month's 39-22 loss to New Zealand in New Plymouth, the tough 79-Test loose forward returned off the bench for the 45-20 loss to Australia in Canberra.

His start results in demotion for flanker Javier Ortega Desio, with Tomas Lezana switching loose forward roles.

Leguizamon's 80th Test appearance will lift him to fifth on the all-time Argentina caps record. The three-time World Cup veteran has played the All Blacks 10 times.

Another seasoned returnee is lock Tomas Lavanini, who didn't tour Australasia after being sent off in their home loss to South Africa last month. He replaces Matias Alemanno.

Hourcade continues to rotate his halfbacks, with Tomas Cubelli starting ahead of Martin Landajo while there is a back-three reshuffle. Joaquin Tuculet returns at fullback, pushing Emiliano Boffelli to the left wing in place of Ramiro Moyano.

Two proven internationals - prop Ramiro Herrera and first five-eighth Juan Martin Hernandez - return from injury on the bench.

The Pumas are led again by world-class hooker Agustin Creevy.

Hourcade says his players are under no illusion about the challenge that lies ahead, with his team having suffered four heavy home losses to New Zealand since their introduction to the Rugby Championship in 2012.

"Playing with the All Blacks always represents a special challenge because it means facing the best team in the world and that motivates you in a very special way," Hourcade said through a translation.

"We have to be attentive to everything because at the slightest carelessness they take advantage of you and score you points."

Pumas: Joaquin Tuculet, Matias Moroni, Matias Orlando, Jeronimo de la Fuente, Emiliano Boffelli, Nicolas Sanchez, Tomas Cubelli, Juan Manuel Leguizamon, Tomas Lezana, Pablo Matera, Tomas Lavanini, Guido Petti, Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, Agustin Creevy (capt), Lucas Noguera Paz. Reserves: Julian Montoya, Santiago Garcia Botta, Ramiro Herrera, Marcos Kremer, Javier Ortega Desio, Martin Landajo, Juan Martin Hernandez, Santiago Cordero.