Molina Returns, Key Pumas Absent for Wallabies Series
By Theo BrennanArgentina’s Los Pumas have made a significant roster adjustment ahead of their two Rugby Championship matches against Australia, with second-rower Franco Molina returning to the squad. This change comes as the team prepares to host the Wallabies on August 29 in Jujuy and September 05 in Mendoza Amolena returns to Pumas squad.
Molina’s inclusion directly replaces uncapped second-rower Franco Carrera, who will return to his club, Zebre Parma. The veteran forward had been sidelined due to an injury sustained during Argentina’s July victory over Wales, and his rejoining the team adds Super Rugby Pacific experience, having played for the Western Force in 2026 Molina played for Western Force.
Squad Adjustments and Player Movement
In addition to Molina’s return, the Pumas have called up flanker Agustín Sarelli and hooker Martín Vaca on a temporary basis. Both Sarelli and Vaca recently featured for the Argentina XV in a match against the USA in Fort Lauderdale, with this being Sarelli’s second call-up this year Sarelli and Vaca called up. These temporary additions precede the expected arrival of Pablo Matera and Mayco Vivas, who are slated to join the roster later this week Matera and Vivas to join later.
Molina is not the only player with Super Rugby connections in the current Pumas squad; Agustín Moyano and Leonel Oviedo, who also played for the Western Force, are on the roster for the Wallabies series Moyano and Oviedo on roster. Moyano and Oviedo have recently signed new deals with the Australian club. Molina, meanwhile, has signed with the Newcastle Red Bulls, marking his return to England after a previous stint with the Exeter Chiefs in 2024-2025 Molina to Newcastle Red Bulls. Fellow second-rower Tomás Lavanini, another Super Rugby Pacific participant, plays for the Highlanders in New Zealand Lavanini plays for Highlanders.
Key Absences and Injury Concerns
The Pumas will navigate the series without several front-line players, including regular captain Julián Montoya, who is unavailable. Other senior players such as Santiago Chocobares, Bautista Delguy, and Marcos Kremer will also miss the matches against Australia Montoya and others unavailable. Pablo Matera, who captained Los Pumas against the Springboks earlier this month, will join the team late due to personal reasons, a situation also affecting Mayco Vivas Matera and Vivas join late.
Argentina continues to grapple with the challenge of player availability, as highlighted by the ongoing absence of an official off-season. This necessitates direct negotiations between head coach Felipe Contepomi’s staff and various clubs to secure players, a scenario that is expected to persist until World Rugby establishes a global season lack of an official off-season.
The squad also contends with a significant list of injured players. Thomas Gallo, Juan Martin González, Juan Cruz Mallía, and Pedro Rubiolo are among those sidelined. Additionally, Bautista Bernasconi and Benjamín Elizalde, both of whom debuted for Argentina in 2025, are currently out with injuries. Eduardo Bello, whose Rugby Championship ended prematurely in 2024 due to injury, is not yet ready for recall Pumas sidelined through injuries. These extensive absences underscore the depth challenges facing Los Pumas as they prepare for important international rugby news fixtures.
Upcoming Rugby Championship Matches
The Pumas will first face the Wallabies at Estadio 23 de Agosto in San Salvador de Jujuy on August 29, followed by their second encounter on September 05 in Mendoza matches against Australia in Jujuy and Mendoza. These matches are crucial for Argentina as they seek to gain ground in the Rugby Championship, a competition where they are often perceived as playing against the odds given their unique player management challenges Pumas playing against the odds.