Argentina coach Felipe Contepomi has named a strong squad for their opening Rugby Championship match against New Zealand in Wellington on Saturday.

A total of 7 changes were made to the squad that beat Uruguay 79-5 in Maldonado last month, with star winger Pablo Matera being appointed team captain.

He took over the captaincy from Marcos Kremer

The 31-year-old is no stranger to a leadership role, having previously held the team captaincy, and takes over from fellow winger Marcos Kremer, who is in the back row alongside Juan Martin Gonzalez, who is in the eighth position.

Los Pumas’ squad also includes other players who played against Uruguay, with Pedro Rubiolo and Franco Molina in the first 11, while Ignacio Ruiz continues to play as a forward, with Eduardo Bello and Thomas Gallo being two important players.

Meanwhile, there are a number of changes in the defensive line that will be playing against Los Teros. Juan Cruz Mallia will start at fullback, while Mateo Carreras and Matias Moroni will be on the wings.

Santiago Chocobares and Lucio Cinti make up Wellington’s central duo.

The rest of the team is completed by Santiago Carreras and Gonzalo Bertranou, who are in the first 11.

All Blacks squad: Rieko Ioane DROPS, Scott Robertson’s favourite starters leave tight ends stocked for Argentina clash

There are also experienced players among the reserve forwards, with veterans Agustin Creevy (wing) and Tomas Lavanini (second row), front row duo Mayco Vivas and Joel Sclavi, along with versatile forwards Efrain Elias and Joaquin Oviedo (back row), who are not yet under contract, in a six/two forward/back split.

Meanwhile, Lautaro Bazan Velez and Tomas Albornoz also form the defense of the defensive line.

Los Pumas to face All Blacks

Argentina: 15 Juan Cruz Mallia, 14 Matias Moroni, 13 Luio Cinti, 12 Santiago Chocobares, 11 Mateo Carreras, 10 Santiago Carreras, 9 Gonzalo Bertranou, 8 Juan Martin Gonzalez, 7 Marcos Kremer, 6 Pablo Matera (c), 5 Pedro Rubiolo, 4 Franco Molina, 3 Eduardo Bello, 2 Ignacio Ruiz, 1 Thomas Gallo
Backups: 16 Agustin Creevy, 17 Mayco Vivas, 18 Joel Sclavi, 19 Efrain Elias, 20 Tomas Lavanini, 21 Joaquin Oviedo, 22 Lautaro Bazan Velez, 23 Tomas Albornoz

History: Saturday, August 10
Place: Sky Stadium, Wellington
To start: 19:05 local (08:05 BST, 07:05 GMT)
Judge: Angus Gardner (Australia)
Assistant Referees: Nic Berry (Australia), Andrea Piardi (Italy)
TMO: Brett Cronan (Australia)

READ MORE: All Blacks: The obvious reason Scott Robertson left out Rieko Ioane against Argentina