Jaguares outclassed by Highlanders

Los Jaguares were embarrassed by the defending champion Highlanders at Vélez Sarsfield on Saturday, losing their second-last match of the season by a score of 34-8. Defensive lapses and a poor lineout cost them dearly, with five throws pinched by the visitors depriving them of critical first phase possession.

It was a disastrous start for the home team as Highlanders captain Ben Smith crossed with less than two minutes elapsed on the clock. Three Jaguares forwards were stuck defending in the backline and Lima Sopoaga had no trouble picking the gap to put Smith in for a disturbingly easy try.

Nicolas Sanchez knocked over a penalty goal in the 11th minute but the Highlanders were in again after some frantic play from the ensuing kickoff. Martin Landajo’s clearance kick went nowhere but a lucky bounce went to Tomas Lavanini, who offloaded to Sanchez in the inside. His kick ahead was gathered by Smith, and the fullback stepped almost to midfield. Agustin Creevy won the ball back cleanly at the breakdown, but Sanchez threw an ill-advised pass that landed instead with Rob Thompson and the centre sprinted away untouched for the second try.

Some mesmeric offloading and interplay from the forwards resulted in a third try for the Highlanders before the half. Tom Franklin, Ash Dixon, and James Lentjes were all involved before Elliot Dixon put the ball down, much to the disappointment of the Argentine fans.

At last the Jaguares replied with a try as Juan Martin Hernandez crossed in the corner. Pablo Matera looked to have squandered the opportunity when he crashed ahead instead of using the men outside him, but Landajo arrived quickly enough to move the ball wide for the score. The halftime numbers were 21-8 in favor of the visitors, and sadly for Los Jaguares that would be their final scoring act of the game.

The second half was all for the visitors. Two Sopoaga penalties were followed by a bonus point try for Elliot Dixon, who pounded over after a number of phases from in close to grab a double. The final whistle sounded and Los Jaguares looked at the scoreboard in dismay with another abject display in a disappointing season.

Their final match takes place next Saturday, once again at Vélez Sarsfeld against the Lions.

JAGUARES 8
Tries – J. Hernández
Pens – N. Sánchez

HIGHLANDERS 34
Tries – B. Smith, R. Thompson, E. Dixon 2
Cons – L. Sopoaga 3
Pens – L. Sopoaga 2
Yellow cards – M. Faddes

JAGUARES
1 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro 2 Agustín Creevy (capt.) 3 Ramiro Herrera 4 Javier Ortega Desio 5 Tomás Lavanini 6 Pablo Matera 7 Juan Manuel Leguizamón 8 Facundo Isa 9 Martín Landajo 10 Nicolás Sánchez 11 Manuel Montero 12 Juan Martín Hernandez 13 Jerónimo de la Fuente 14 Santiago Cordero 15 Joaquín Tuculet

16 Julián Montoya 17 Santiago Garcia Botta 18 Enrique Pieretto 19 Ignacio Larrague 20 Marcos Kremer 21 Felipe Ezcurra 22 Matías Orlando 23 Lucas González Amorosino

HIGHLANDERS
1 Josh Hohneck 2 Ash Dixon 3 Siua Halanukonuka 4 Tom Franklin 5 Joe Wheeler 6 Elliot Dixon 7 James Lentjes 8 Luke Whitelock 9 Aaron Smith 10 Lima Sopoaga 11 Patrick Osborne 12 Rob Thompson 13 Malakai Fekitoa 14 Waisake Naholo 15 Ben Smith (capt.)

16 Greg Pleasants-Tate 17 Aki Seiuli 18 Ross Geldenhuys 19 Mark Reddish 20 Dan Pryor 21 Te Aihe Toma 22 Fletcher Smith 23 Matt Faddes