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Los Jaguares are to travel 65% less in 2017 compared to 2016. The travel factor was felt by the Argentine players in their inaugural Super Rugby campaign. Having no opposition in the same continent, let alone country, resulted in Los Jaguares traveling vast distances.
No derbies also required Los Jaguares and the Sunwolves to play extensively on the road. This contributed to the high total distance covered though the overriding factor was the lack of proximity to other sides.
This is underlined when considering the total distance covered by other sides. The Crusaders, for instance, flew fewer than 20,000 km and the Hurricanes just above that figure. The Brumbies were the third lowest while the Kings total was roughly 25,000 km. The Blues, Chiefs and Highlanders traveled slightly more overall.
No New Zealand franchise traveled more than 27,000 km. The Western Force traveled 10,000 km more than this and the Bulls covered 11,000 km more. Notable distances but Los Jaguares covered an additional 40,000 km.
Alterations for 2017 see Los Jaguares very much as benefactors. Changing from facing the New Zealand to the Australian franchises and also no trip to Japan have given Los Jaguares welcomed ease. They will travel 44,355 km in 2017, or some 23,000 km fewer than in 2016.
As documented in the graph below the Argentine side has gone from being the second highest traveling team to the 9th. The Sunwolves are not so lucky. Their schedule remarkably has them traveling 20,000 km more than in 2016 and roughly 40,000 km more than the second highest 2017 travelers.
