Lobbe to captain Argentina

Veteran loose forward Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe will captain Argentina in their debut season in the Rugby Championship.

Lobbe has been re-appointed as Pumas skipper after first leading the team in 2008 and takes over from vastly-experienced back Felipe Contepomi, who recently retired from international rugby.

The 30-year-old has often lead Argentina when Contepomi has been unavailable and is a well known and respected international back row forward.

"It's a great responsibility and a very nice opportunity, of which I am very proud to take," Lobbe said.

"It's a great honor and a sense of gratitude to all those who in one way or another, taught me the values and attitudes that allowed me to get here."

Argentina have named a full strength squad to take the All Blacks, Wallabies and Springboks in the Rugby Championship, with 20 players from French clubs and a few others from England all called up for national duty.

Lobbe said that Argentina's introduction into the southern hemisphere's premier tournament was something that was essential to the development of the Pumas as a rugby power.

"We are really looking forward to this historical event in which we want the team to end on October 6, having been faithful to their convictions and having played to their full potential," he said.

"We know the magnitude of challenge before us, but we have to take all this to continue growing as a team.

"The truth is this is something spectacular that we have fought a very long time for. Today we can say that the Pumas have an annual competition, and it's amazing."