Chile’s head coach, Pablo Lemoine, has unveiled his match-day 23 squad for the upcoming clash against Samoa in Pool D at Stade de Bordeaux on Saturday, 16 September. The team sees some notable changes, with Santiago Pedrero and Pablo Huete stepping in to create a formidable new second-row partnership.
Starting Lineup:
- Javier Carrasco
- Tomas Dussaillant
- Matias Dittus
- Pablo Huete
- Santiago Pedrero
- Martín Sigren (c)
- Clemente Saavedra
- Raimundo Martínez
- Marcelo Torrealba
- Rodrigo Fernandez
- José Ignacio Larenas
- Matias Garafulic
- Domingo Saavedra
- Santiago Videla
- Inaki Ayarza
Replacements:
- Diego Escobar
- Salvador Lues
- Esteban Inostroza
- Javier Eissmann
- Alfonso Escobar
- Ignacio Silva
- Benjamin Videla
- Pablo Casas
Coach Pablo Lemoine has introduced four key changes to the starting XV compared to their previous match against Japan in Toulouse. The alterations include the inclusion of Tomás Dussaillant as the hooker, the dynamic second-row pairing of Santiago Pedrero and Pablo Huete, and José Ignacio Larenas starting on the left wing.
Tomás Dussaillant is set to make his long-awaited Rugby World Cup debut, an impressive journey that began seven years ago when he made his international debut for Chile against Brazil in 2016.
Inaki Ayarza continues to shine as a standout player for Chile this season, boasting a remarkable record of eight linebreaks and 30 defenders beaten, including two linebreaks and six defenders beaten in the previous game. Marcelo Torrealba deserves recognition for his contribution as well, having provided two linebreak assists against Japan, creating opportunities for Inaki Ayarza and Matias Garafulic to penetrate the opposition’s defensive line.
Marcelo Torrealba’s performance with the ball in hand is equally commendable, as he registered a team-high 17 carries and the second-most gain-line meters with 59. He also showcased his evasive skills by beating the second-most defenders, totaling three in the last game.
Raimundo Martinez proved his mettle on the defensive front, recording a team-high 11 tackles against Japan and securing a crucial breakdown steal. His relentless work-rate at the ruck was evident with a team-high 32 entries, split between 25 on the attack and seven on the defense.
Chile’s revamped lineup promises an exciting showdown against Samoa, with the team aiming to make their mark in this Rugby World Cup encounter.
