Argentina have sensationally stripped Pablo Matera of the captaincy and stood down the flanker and two other players from Saturday’s final Tri Nations Test as they investigate racist social media posts.

Matera allegedly made the comments between 2011 and 2013 relating to Bolivian and black people, which have resurfaced on social media.

The Argentina Rugby Union issued at statement on Tuesday condemning the comments and announcing Matera’s sacking before the clash with the Wallabies.

“The Argentine Rugby Union strongly repudiates the discriminatory and xenophobic comments published by members of the Los Pumas team on social media and meeting as an emergency, the Board of Directors resolves:

“In the first place, revoke the captaincy of Pablo Matera and request the staff to propose a new captain to the Board of Directors.

“Second, suspend Pablo Matera, Guido Petti and Santiago Socino from the national team until their disciplinary situation is defined.”