Jaguares Fall Short against Hurricanes

The second of four away matches in as many weeks saw Los Jaguares Fall Short against the Hurricanes in Wellington, New Zealand. The Argentine Super Rugby franchise was beaten 40-22, their largest loss to date.

The home side converted a 21-12 half time lead into a six tries to three bonus point victory. It sees Los Jaguares failing to obtain a point for the second time in as many weeks.

The star was Rugby World Cup 2015′ leading try scorer, Julian Savea who scored a hat-trick. He was up against a back-three of players not involved in Argentina’s World Cup campaign. This morning’s match in Wellington was a reminder that although Argentina is playing with one Super Rugby side the team is indeed Los Jaguares and not Los Pumas.

Savea’s wonderful tries were the difference between the sides on the scoreboard. Where the Hurricanes won, though, was in their ability to be clinical unlike Los Jaguares whose own mistakes cost them regularly. Without eliminating errors Los Jaguares will not be able to achieve results.

Beauden Barrett opened the scoring early on. Having missed a penalty shot at goal the All Black crossed from a chip-kick. He added the extras himself, giving the Hurricanes and early 7-0 advantage.

The lead was cancelled out by the visitors as Leonardo Senatore crossed for his first try in Super Rugby. The number 8’s try was converted by fly half Nicolás Sánchez to make it a 7-7 scoreline.

A solid period from the visitors saw a second try with outside center Matías Moroni intercepting a pass from TJ Perenara. The CUBA back ran 65 meters untouched to score a 33rd minute try. Sánchez’s conversion attempt sailed wide.

The Wellington-based side hit-back with intent. Second-rower Blade Thomson attracted two Jagaures defenders to put Julian Savea in the clear for his opening try. It was followed by another, just two minutes later after Perenara broke clear and kicked ahead for Savea to chase and dot down.

With Barrett converting both Savea tries the Hurricanes found themselves in control, leading by nine points at the interval.

The second half saw Los Jaguares frustrated by the officiating as New Zealand referee Nick Briant awarded multiple decisions in favor of the home side. Moroni was taken out by his opposite, Willis Halaholo in an incident resulting in just a penalty. Sánchez landed it to reduce the deficit to six points.

In the 58th minute Hurricanes and All Blacks hooker Dane Coles escaped unpunished for a head charge, an incident likely to see the Hurricanes captain banned. To compound matters Coles crossed for a try, giving the Hurricanes a 28-15 lead.

The game was then sealed in the 62nd minute with Savea diving over for his third try. The All Black winger’s performance was not perfect, though, as he was caught out of position by Los Jaguares’ captain Martín Landajo who scored his team’s third and final try. With Sánchez missing the conversion the Hurricanes were eleven points ahead.

The Hurricanes had the final say, with replacement Ben May scoring in the 79th minute. The try made it three more for the home side than the visitors, thereby giving the Hurricanes a bonus point.

Both the Hurricanes and Los Jaguares will be playing again next weekend. The Hurricanes are to travel to Australia to face the Melbourne Rebels while Los Jaguares will play in Christchurch against the Crusaders.

Scorers
Hurricanes
Try: J Savea (3), Barrett, Coles, May
Conversion: Barrett (5)

Los Jaguares
Try: Senatore, Moroni, Landajo
Conversion: Sánchez (2)
Penalty: Sánchez

Hurricanes
15 Jason Woodward, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Willis Halaholo, 12 Ngani Laumape, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Victor Vito, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Brad Shields, 5 Blade Thomson, 4 Michael Fatialofa, 3 Jeff Toomaga-Allen, 2 Dane Coles (capt.), 1 Reggie Goodes

Replacements: 16 Motu Matu’u, 17 Chris Eves, 18 Ben May, 19 Vaea Fifita, 20 Callum Gibbins, 21 Jamison Gibson-Park, 22 Otere Black, 23 Matt Proctor

Los Jaguares
15 Ramiro Moyano, 14 Matías Orlando, 13 Matías Moroni, 12 Santiago González Iglesias, 11 Emiliano Boffelli, 10 Nicolás Sánchez, 9 Martín Landajo (capt.), 8 Leonardo Senatore, 7 Rodrigo Báez, 6 Pablo Matera, 5 Tomás Lavanini, 4 Guido Petti, 3 Ramiro Herrera, 2 Julián Montoya, 1 Santiago García Botta

Replacements: 16 Facundo Bosch, 17 Roberto Tejerizo, 18 Enrique Pieretto, 19 Juan Cruz Guillemaín, 20 Juan Manuel Leguizamón, 21 Gonzalo Bertranou, 22 Jerónimo de la Fuente, 23 Joaquín Paz