Mallett shakes up front row

| Thu, 11/13/2008 - 03:45

Italy coach Nick Mallett has made two changes to the front row that struggled against Australia for Italy's test match against World Cup semi-finalist Argentina in Turin Saturday.

The Saracens pairing of hooker Fabio Ongaro and prop Matias Aguero come in for Leonardo Ghiraldini and Salvatore Perugini who commentators said made key errors in a close 30-20 defeat to the Wallabies in Padua last Saturday.

Gloucester prop Carlos Nieto is the only survivor of the front three that started against Australia.

The Pumas, who lost 12-6 to fellow World Cup semi-finalists France in a hard-fought match in Paris on Saturday, have one of the most powerful packs in the world.

''Argentina has an exceptional pack and it will be a hard-contact game,'' Mallett said in a statement.

''We have trained over the last few days to be up to the task and the front-row changes go in this direction''.

In the only other change, Mallett has drafted in centre Matteo Pratichetti to replace the injured Gonzalo Canale.

The other 12 players who ran the Aussies close were confirmed for the Argentina game with fly half Andrea Marcato having shaken off a knock and centre Andrea Masi confirmed in his new position at full back.

Mirco Bergamasco, moved out from centre to the wing again, said: ''We are focused (and) we are aiming for a home win, which we deserve after Saturday's good display''.

Bergamasco scored a fine try against the Wallabies to put Italy 14-11 up after half an hour.

Italy were level with Australia at 20-20 with 13 minutes to go and had a chance to take the lead but Luciano Orquera's penalty attempt drifted narrowly wide.

Australia snatched the win with a try seven minutes from the final hooter.

Italy, who fell back in the Six Nations in Mallett's first season with only one win compared to two in 2007, end their three-test autumn series against the Pacific Islanders in Reggio Emilia on November 22.

Here is the team named by Mallett:

15-Andrea Masi; 14-Kaine Robertson, 13-Matteo Pratichetti, 12-Gonzalo Garcia, 11-Mirco Bergamasco; 10-Andrea Marcato, 9-Pablo Canavosio; 8-Sergio Parisse (captain), 7-Mauro Bergamasco, 6-Josh Sole, 5-Marco Bortolami, 4-Carlo Antonio Del Fava, 3-Carlos Nieto, 2-Fabio Ongaro, 1-Matias Aguero.

Replacements: 16-Leonardo Ghiraldini, 17-Andrea Lo Cicero, 18-Salvatore Perugini, 19-Tommaso Reato, 20-Pietro Travagli, 21-Luciano Orquera, 22-Luke McLean.

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