Flat Jaguares Humbled by Force

Los Jaguares fell flat on Saturday evening, losing 16-6 to the Western Force in Buenos Aires. In a match better quickly forgotten the home side produced their worst performance of the year, Los Jaguares resembled a train wreck.

Having escaped jail against the Sunwolves last weekend lightening could not strike twice. Yet Raúl Pérez’ side did not adjust and improve, instead they fell flat. The performance was so dire that Los Jaguares failed to score a try all match. Indeed at the end of the first half Los Jaguares were pointless.

Opportunities had presented themselves yet Los Jaguares were unable to converted them. This saw the team close to the Force’s ingoal area only to commit errors and unnecessarily turnover possession.

Ultimately the Force went into the interval leading 3-0. Yet the reality is that the Force were far from playing well. The Western Australian side did not play good rugby. The Sunwolves’ played far better last weekend.

Indeed while the Sunwolves were able to capitalize the Force were error-ridden. This included Richard Hardwick failing to score a try. Similarly Martín Landajo broke in a play which ought to have resulted in a try, instead it failed. With it the scores were 0-0 after the 30 minute mark.

35 minutes in Los Jaguares had a one-man advantage. Joaquín Tuculet had an opportunity of scoring but just missed out. It meant Ian Prior’s penalty would be the only score of the opening half.

After the break the situation did not improve. To the contrary it went from bad to worse. Los Jaguares were unable to control possession and found themselves trapped, unable to gain ground.

The only way to score point was through goal kicking. Juan Martín Hernández got Los Jaguares onto the scoreboard in the 48th minute. His equalizer was quickly removed by Prior before Hernández landed his second to make it 6-6.

Looking to improve, Pérez went to his bench. It was to no avail as the errors continued and the flawed game plan was easily concerned by the Australians.

Back-to-back tries from Alex Newsome, and Isireli Naisarani shocked the home side. Even without the conversions the Western Force were ten points ahead. Los Jaguares had no answer, ultimately slumping to a defeat which all but ends their play-off’s hopes.

 

SCORING

JAGUARES 6
Penalty: Hernández (2)

FORCE 16
Try: Newsome, Naisarani
Penalty: Prior (2)

 

TEAMS

JAGUARES
1 Santiago García Botta, 2 Agustín Creevy (capt.), 3 Ramiro Herrera, 4 Guido Petti, 5 Matías Alemanno, 6 Tomás Lezana, 7 Juan Manuel Leguizamón, 8 Benjamín Macome, 9 Martín Landajo, 10 Juan Martín Hernández, 11 Bautista Ezcurra, 12 Santiago González Iglesias, 13 Matías Orlando, 14 Santiago Cordero, 15 Joaquín Tuculet

Replacements: 16 Julían Montoya, 17 Lucas Noguera Paz, 18 Felipe Arregui, 19 Tomás Lavanini, 20 Leonardo Senatore, 21 Gonzalo Bertranou, 22 Joaquín Díaz Bonilla, 23 Manuel Montero

WESTERN FORCE
15 Peter Grant, 14 Semisi Masirewa, 13 Curtis Rona, 12 Billy Meakes, 11 Alex Newsome, 10 Jono Lance, 9 Ian Prior, 8 Richard Hardwick, 7 Onehunga Havili, 6 Ross Haylett-Petty, 5 Adam Coleman, 4 Richie Arnold, 3 Tetera Faulkner, 2 Heath Tessmann (Capt.), 1 Francois van Wyk

Replacements: 16 Anaru Rangi, 17 Pek Cowan, 18 Shambeckler Vui, 19 Lewis Carmichael, 20 Brynard Stander, 21 Isireli Naisarani, 22 Mitchell Short, 23 James Verity-Amm