Moyano Hat-Trick Sees Jaguares Down Cheetahs

Ramiro Moyano underlined his rising stock. The Tucumán outside back ran-in three tries for Los Jaguares who downed the Cheetahs 41-14 this afternoon. The round four win sees Los Jaguares 3-1 up this season. Next weekend the Argentine side will play host to the Reds. In doing so it will mark a first match this season against a team not from South Africa.

Moyano crossed for two first half tries and completed his hat-trick in the second. His performance together with that of Matías Orlando saw the investment put in pay off. Both backs had outstanding performances. Veteran Juan Martín Hernández made the move from outside center to fly half to direct traffic well. He slotted 14 points.

Los Jaguares were well led by Agustín Creevy. The flanker turned hooker had a captain’s performance. The set-piece from his side, however, was not ideal. The Cheetahs put Los Jaguares under pressure in both scrums and lineouts. It asked questions, particularly, of the props playing for Raúl Pérez’s side.

Creevy was involved in the early advances which led to Moyano’s first try. The try came in the 8th minute with the Tucumán flier demonstrating his skill-set down the left flank. His try was converted by Hernández.

An injury soon followed with right winger, Santiago Cordero forced from play. It came from accidental contact made with teammate, Gonzalo Bertranou. This saw a Super Rugby debut for Bautista Eazcurra. In doing so the Los Pumas 7’s graduate became the 45th Jaguar.

The next scoring saw Hernández giving Los Jaguares a 10-0 lead. His first of two penalties for the afternoon came in the 19th minute. The advantage would quickly become 17 as Matías Alemanno crashed over. The 22nd minute score was also converted by Hernández.

Cheetahs center Michael van der Spuy opened the Cheetahs account in reply. It was converted by Niel Marais who made it a ten point game.

Hopes of going into the break on level terms were ended with Los Jaguares scored their third try. It was scored by Moyano who combined with Creevy. Hernández added the conversion and would also open the second half points with a 50th minute penalty.

Smart work from the Cheetahs appeared to have Maraisscoring. Replays, though, confirmed he had knocked-on, denying the visitors of what would have been a well-deserved try.

With time a try would come. It took the yellow carding of  Santiago González Iglesias. The one-man advatage resulted in Joseph Dweba crossing. The replacement hooker’s try was converted by Marais.

The 27-14 scoreline had Los Jaguares under pressure. It would, however, not last. Two late tries saw the home side through to victory. Smart work from Jerónimo de la Fuente saw Moyano chasing a kick to complete his hat-trick. Referee Paul Williams then whistled a penalty try with the game’s final try to ensure the home side completed a bonus point win.

Next weekend’s opponents, the Reds, are coming off a loss against the Lions. Los Jaguares defeated the Lions in Buenos Aires in round three.

SCORERS
JAGUARES
Moyano (3), Alemano, Penalty Try
Conversion: Hernández (4), Penalty Try
Penalty: Hernández (2)

CHEETAHS
Try: van der Spuy, Dweba
Conversion: Marais (2)

JAGUARES
15 Joaquín Tuculet, 14 Santiago Cordero, 13 Matías Orlando, 12 Jerónimo de la Fuente, 11 Ramiro Moyano, 10 Nicolás Sánchez, 9 Gonzalo Bertranou, 8 Leonardo Senatore, 7 Tomás Lezana, 6 Pablo Matera, 5 Matías Alemanno, 4 Marcos Kremer, 3 Felipe Arregui, 2 Agustín Creevy (Capt.), 1 Santiago García Botta

Replacements: 16 Julián Montoya, 17 Lucas Noguera Paz, 18 Ramiro Herrera, 19 Ignacio Larrague, 20 Javier Ortega Desio, 21 Felipe Ezcurra, 22 Santiago González Iglesias, 23 Bautista Ezcurra

CHEETAHS
15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Ryno Benjamin, 13 Michael van der Spuy, 12 Clinton Swart, 11 Ruan van Rensburg, 10 Niel Marais, 9 Tian Meyer (Capt.), 8 Niell Jordaan, 7 Oupa Mohoje, 6 Henco Venter, 5 Francois Uys, 4 Armandt Koster, 3 Tom Botha, 2 Elandré Huggett, 1 Danie Mienie

Replacements: 16 Joseph Dweba, 17 Charles Marais, 18 Johan Coetzee, 19 Carl Wegner, 20 Paul Schoeman, 21 William Small-Smith / Boom Prinsloo, 22 Shaun Venter, 23 Fred Zeilinga

Date: Saturday, March 18
Venue: Vélez Sarsfield, Buenos Aires
Kick-off: 4:40pm local
Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand)
Assistant Referees: Nick Briant (New Zealand), Pablo Deluca (Argentina)
TMO: Santiago Borsani (Argentina)