Pumas bank on experience for World Cup

Pedro Sporleder squeezed into Argentina's 30-man World Cup squad last night when it was cut down from the provisional 38 named…

Pedro Sporleder squeezed into Argentina's 30-man World Cup squad last night when it was cut down from the provisional 38 named by coach Marcelo Loffreda in July.

The lock joins front row forward Federico Mendez and centre Lisandro Arbizu as veterans of four World Cup campaigns.

Also securing berths were another lock Patricio Albacete and back rowers Martin Durand and Pablo Bouza.

Arbizu will captain the Pumas once again, having led them to their best finish in 1999 when they upset Ireland to reach the quarter-finals.

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The Pumas meet Ireland again in Group A of this year's tournament after facing hosts Australia in the tournament's opening match in Sydney on October 10. Romania and Namibia are also in the group.

Scrumhalf Agustin Pichot, who has recovered from an ankle injury, was another automatic choice for his third World Cup. Pichot, then 19, was a squad member but did not play in the 1995 tournament in South Africa.

Backs- Diego Albanese, Lisandro Arbizu (captain), Felipe Contepomi, Manuel Contepomi, Ignacio Corleto, Juan de la Cruz Fernandez Miranda, Nicolas Fernandez Miranda, Juan Martin Hernandez, Jose Maria Nunez Piossek, Jose Orengo, Agustin Pichot, Gonzalo Quesada, Hernan Senillosa

Forwards- Patricio Albacete, Rimas Alvarez, Pablo Bouza, Martin Durand, Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe, Roberto Grau, Omar Hasan, Mario Ledesma, Gonzalo Longo, Rolando Martin, Federico Mendez, Lucas Ostiglia, Santiago Phelan, Mauricio Reggiardo, Rodrigo Roncero, Martin Scelzo, Pedro Sporleder.