Jaguares Beat Sunwolves in High Scoring Thriller

Los Jaguares returned to winning ways this evening, beating the Sunwolves in a high scoring thriller. The 46-39 victory was by six tries to four but it required a late turnaround after the Japanese side had been on top for much of the second half.

The Japanese were not only on top well into the second half but also held a 25-22 half time advantage. It was based on taking more opportunities and Los Jaguares committing crucial handling and defensive errors.

The Sunwolves exposed Los Jaguares early on. A set-piece attacking move saw the Sunwolves bursting down the right touch line. On hand to take a pass and score was Will Tupou. The former Tongan rugby league player’s early score was converted by Yu Tamura.

Tamara would go on to score 22 points, a Sunwolves record. This included landing all four conversions and also adding two penalties. He was also highly effective on attack, crossing for two tries.

Following Tupou’s score Los Jaguares hit back. Opening the account for the home side was Juan Martín Hernández. The veteran fly half’s penalty made it 7-3. The deficit was soon erased, however, with Leonardo Senatore’s try. The No 8 went over from cross range after a series of raids had gotten the home side close.

But despite holding a lead Los Jaguares would not look to their pack for further gains. Instead erratic play saw the backs handing over possession and the Sunwolves deservedly reclaiming the lead.

Also crossing was Emiliano Boffelli. His well-taken try in the left corner, though, was overshadowed by a committed Japanese effort. Shota Emi and Yu Tamura both scored, placing Los Jaguares well and truly under pressure. It took a penalty try on the stroke of half time to decrease what was a ten-point Japanese lead.

In an effort to recover the hard-working captain, Agustín Creevy led by example. Creevy went over for a rolling-maul try early in the second half. It was a timely reminder of the strength of Argentine rugby up front.

The Sunwolves were not in Buenos Aires to make up the numbers. In response to Creevy’s score Tamura scored his second before uncapped Australian, Sam Wykes also scored. With it the Sunwolves had a 12 point cushion, leading 39-27.

Jaguares Head Coach Raúl Pérez had a capable bench at his disposal. Ultimately the difference in a win or loss did come down to their impact. The injection of Martín Landajo saw far quicker ball and improved decision making to that of Felipe Ezcurra.

Impact from others more profound on the scoreboard as Matías Alemanno and Matías Moroni both scored late tries. Combined with a second try from Creevy from an attacking maul and Los Jaguares saw off the Sunwolves.

The return of Juan Manuel Leguizamón from injury was also of note. Central to the Sunwolves performance had been speed to the breakdown. It was not often Tomás Lezana and Rodrigo Báez quickest to the breakdown area but, rather, Guido Petti.

Tamara’s goalkicking ensured that the Japanese would score as many points as they did. Los Jaguares were far less accurate with Hernández and, replacement, Joaquín Díaz Bonilla both missing.

In general play Díaz Bonilla contributed well. He made a clean break which contributed to one of his team’s late tries. For a rookie professional Díaz Bonilla performed very well.

Los Jaguares will be in action again next Saturday. Their home match will be against the Western Force. It is to be just the second match ever against an Australian opponent. The first was a home win earlier this season over the Reds.

SCORERS
JAGUARES
Try: Senatore, Boffelli, Penalty Try, Creevy (2), Alemanno, Moroni
Conversion: Hernández (2), Díaz Bonilla
Penalty: Hernández

SUNWOLVES
Try: Tupou, Emi, Tamura (2), Wykes
Conversion: Tamura (4)
Penalty: Tamura (2)
Yellow Card: Wykes

JAGUARES
15 Joaquín Tuculet, 14 Santiago Cordero, 13 Matias Orlando, 12 Santiago González Iglesias, 11 Emiliano Boffelli, 10 Juan Martín Hernández, 9 Felipe Ezcurra, 8 Leonardo Senatore, 7 Rodrigo Baez, 6 Tomás Lezana, 5 Marcos Kremer, 4 Guido Petti, 3 Ramiro Herrera, 2 Agustín Creevy, 1 Santiago Garcia Botta

Replacements: 16 Roberto Tejerizo, 17 Lucas Noguera Paz, 18 Enrique Pieretto Heilan, 19 Matías Alemanno, 20 Juan Manuel Leguizamón, 21 Martín Landajo, 22 Joaquín Díaz Bonilla, 23 Matias Moroni

SUNWOLVES
15 Kotaro Matsushima, 14 Shota Emi, 13 Will Tupou, 12 Timothy Lafaele, 11 Kenki Fukuoka, 10 Yu Tamura, 9 Yuki Yatomi, 8 Willie Britz, 7 Shunsuke Nunomaki, 6 Rahboni Warren-Vosayaco, 5 Uwe Helu, 4 Sam Wykes, 3 Yasuo Yamaji, 2 Yusuke Niwai, 1 Koki Yamamoto

Replacements: 16 Takeshi Hino, 17 Keita Inagaki, 18 Takuma Asahara, 19 Shinya Makabe, 20 Ed Quirk, 21 Keisuke Uchida, 22 Jumpei Ogura, 23 Ryohei Yamanaka