Argentina Rugby World Cup 2023 squad and odds - can Los Pumas over-achieve again?

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It’s Argentina’s favourite time in the rugby calendar. With Los Pumas consistently over-performing at the Rugby World Cup over the years, can they again punch above their weight and cause some upsets in France this year? We look at the Argentina Rugby World Cup squad, and break down those tasked with winning the William Webb-Ellis trophy in 2023.

Argentina World Cup 2023 squad – well-balanced team looking to cause upsets

Contents

1 Argentina World Cup 2023 squad – well-balanced team looking to cause upsets
2 Argentina’s form ahead of the World Cup
- 2.1 Last five matches:
3 Odds at World Cup 2023 for Argentina – 23.00 (22/1)
4 Argentina World Cup group and schedule

Argentina have announced a strong, 33-man World Cup squad, with a healthy balance of youthful flare, and top-level experience.

¡𝙇𝙤𝙨 𝟯𝟯 𝗾𝘂𝗲 𝘃𝗮𝗻 𝗽𝗼𝗿 𝗹𝗮 𝗴𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗮! 🇦🇷#SomosLosPumas | #MásPumasQueNunca pic.twitter.com/yxV0nVb0tL
— Los Pumas (@lospumas) August 7, 2023

We break down all of the names in the Argentina Rugby World Cup squad, before looking at the latest betting odds as well.

Props

Thomas Gallo (Benneton, IT – 17 caps)
Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro (Benetton, IT – 78 caps)
Eduardo Bello (Newcastle Falcons, UK – 13 caps)
Francisco Gómez Kodela (Lyon, FR – 31 caps)
Joel Sclavi (La Rochelle, FR – 11 caps)

With just two specialist loosehead props, Michael Cheika is taking a risk and counting on Thomas Gallo to remain injury free. Mayco Vivas misses out as a result, with Joel Sclavi possibly being required to cover both sides of the scrum.

Hookers

Agustín Creevy (Sale Sharks, UK – 100 caps)

Julián Montoya (Leicester Tigers, UK – 89 caps)

Ignacio Ruiz (Perpignan, FR – 5 caps)

The enormously experience Agustin Creevy attends yet another World Cup after becoming the first Puma to rack up 100 games recently. Montoya will likely get the starting position, with Creevy on the bench, and Ruiz backing up.

Locks

Matías Alemanno (Gloucester, UK – 86 caps)

Tomás Lavanini (Clermont, FR – 82 caps)

Guido Petti (Bordeaux, FR – 74 caps)

Plenty of experience here, with enforcer Tomas Lavanini and the reliable Matias Alemanno. Surprisingly, only three specialist locks have been picked, with several back rowers able to cover the position as well.

Back rows

Rodrigo Bruni (Bayonne, FR – 20 caps)
Juan Martín González (Saracens, UK – 24 caps)
Santiago Grondona (Bristol Bears, UK – 14 caps)
Facundo Isa (Toulon, FR – 46 caps)
Marcos Kremer (Clermont, FR – 56 caps)
Pablo Matera (Honda Heat, JP – 95 caps)
Pedro Rubiolo (Newcastle Falcons, UK – 4 caps)

With Argentina selecting a whopping seven loosies, there’s plenty to choose from here. Pablo Matera is a sure starter, while Maroc Kremer is also a valuable experienced addition. Pedro Rubiolo, on the other hand, sneaks in for his first World Cup.

Scrum halves

Lautaro Bazán Vélez (Rovigo, IT – 6 caps)

Gonzalo Bertranou (Dragons, UK – 53 caps)

Tomás Cubelli (Miami Sharks, US – 88 caps)

Gonzalo Bertranou is huge here, with the little half back making a vital pairing with Santiago Carreras in the halves. He’s joined by Tomas Cubelli, who’s yet to play a match in 2023, and Lautaro Bazan Velez, the fresh face.

Fly halves

Santiago Carreras (Gloucester, UK – 35 caps)
Nicolás Sánchez (Unattached – 97 caps)

Experience and form in the fly half position, as Michael Cheika opts to go with just two first fives. Sanchez has more experience, but Carreras has started all but one Test under the current coach, indicating that he’s the pivot Argentina are most likely to run with.

Centres

Santiago Chocobares (Toulouse, FR – 7 caps)

Jerónimo de la Fuente (Perpignan, FR – 75 caps)

Lucio Cinti (Saracens, UK – 16 caps)

Matías Moroni (Newcastle Falcons, UK – 73 caps)

Matias Orlando misses out here as Argentina opt for just four centres, as opposed to five. Expect Cinti to pair with Chocobares as the likely starting combination.

Back three

Emiliano Boffelli (Edinburgh, UK – 53 caps)

Mateo Carreras (Newcastle Falcons, UK – 10 caps)

Juan Imhoff (Racing 92, FR – 43 caps)

Rodrigo Isgró (Los Pumas 7’s – 1 cap)

Martín Bogado (Highlanders, NZ – 1 cap)

Juan Cruz Mallía (Toulouse, FR – 24 caps)

Plenty of options for Argentina in the back three, with pace, youth and experience all present. Emiliano Boffelli has one wing locked down due to his kicking duties, while Mateo Carreras will likely start on the other, with Juan Cruz Mallia at the back.

Key players – Matera, Lavanini and Creevy

If Argentina are going to bash their way through England in pool play, they’ll need their big men to step up in the form of Pablo Matera and Tomas Lavanini. Both can swing a game with their physical efforts, and particularly Lavanini, who can be mercurial–bordering on a liability–if they don’t get their physicality right.

Another huge name is Augustin Creevy. While the veteran may not start as much as he used to, the wealth of his experience, particularly making the semi-finals on several occasions, will be just what this side needs.

Key absentees – a full roster for Argentina

While plenty of players are unlucky to have missed out on spots in the Argentina Rugby World Cup squad, there are no big surprises. Any omissions mentioned above are all fair calls due to form, rather than injuries or shock decisions.

Argentina’s form ahead of the World Cup

With two wins, and two close losses to South Africa so far this year, Argentina are looking in surprisingly good nick. Add this to the fact that they’ve consistently over-achieved at World Cups, and Los Pumas are quietly looking like a very dangerous dark horse in 2023.

Last five matches:

Spain 3-62 Argentina
Argentina 13-24 South Africa
South Africa 22-21 Argentina
Australia 31-34 Argentina
Argentina 12-41 New Zealand

Odds at World Cup 2023 for Argentina – 23.00 (22/1)

Argentina sit as seventh favourites to win the Rugby World Cup 2023, straddling the odds between what feel like contenders (Australia, England) and rank outsiders (Wales, Scotland). These Argentina Rugby World Cup odds feel about right–on their day, Los Pumas can beat any team, but the chances of them getting it right multiple games in a row are slim-to-none.