Pumas lock Lavanini out for season with ligament injury

Lavanini picked up the injury in Argentina's 26-24 victory over South Africa in Salta on Saturday and was not included in the tour party for the Pumas' Oceania leg of the championship when they face New Zealand and Australia.

"Unfortunately, we have just confirmed Tomas Lavanini's injury," team doctor Guillermo Botto said.

"It's a cruciate ligament injury and we expect to do surgery in three to four weeks and then he'll have an estimated recovery time of six months."

The tour squad, posted on the Argentine Rugby Union website (www.uar.com.ar) on Monday, is also missing wing Manuel Montero, who tore a thigh muscle against the Springboks.

Coming into coach Daniel Hourcade's 28-man squad is number eight Leonardo Senatore, who has served a 10-week suspension for biting handed out during the Super Rugby competition in May.

Matias Moroni returns from the Pumas Olympic rugby sevens team and fellow centre Jeronimo de la Fuente, who also missed Argentina's two matches against the Springboks, is included after recovering from injury.

Felipe Ezcurra was named as a third scrumhalf.

Botto said flyhalf Nicolas Sanchez and centre Juan Martin Hernandez were recovering from head injuries and all being well would be available for selection for both matches.

Argentina face world champions New Zealand, who top the standings after home and away wins over Australia, in Hamilton on Sept. 10 and the Wallabies in Perth a week later.

Squad:

Forwards: Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, Felipe Arregui, Agustin Creevy (captain), Lucas Noguera Paz, Julian Montoya, Ramiro Herrera, Enrique Pieretto, Matias Alemanno, Guido Petti, Marcos Kremer, Juan Manuel Leguizamon, Pablo Matera, Javier Ortega Desio, Leonardo Senatore, Facundo Isa

Backs: Martin Landajo, Tomas Cubelli, Felipe Ezcurra, Santiago Gonzalez Iglesias, Nicolas Sanchez, Santiago Cordero, Ramiro Moyano, Jeronimo de la Fuente, Juan Martin Hernandez, Matias Moroni, Matias Orlando, Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino, Joaquin Tuculet