Jaguares Sink to a New Low, Losing to Kings in Buenos Aires

Los Jaguares sank to a new low, losing to the Kings in Buenos Aires this evening. The Argentine side fell 31-30 against one of the worst two of South Africa’s six Super Rugby franchises. The defeat was the seventh in the last eight rounds for franchise.

The result was the end of a terrible few days for Head coach Raúl Pérez. In the days leading in to the match his future was clouded with Mario Ledesma reportedly in the eyes of the UAR to replace him. This is not happening though Pérez will be stood down regardless.

With a roster packed with test players, Pérez was unable to deliver a home win. Following on from dour performances against the Brumbies and Western Force  among others it is now officially crisis point for Argentine rugby.

Ironically one the best player today for Los Jaguares was Bautista Ezcurra. He is one of the few uncapped players involved with Los Jaguares. Today he had his first opportunity to play at inside center. It marked an important change as previously he had played out of position on the wing.

With Agustín Creevy missing the captación welt to Martín Landajo. The scrum half did not have his most memorable performance. Following an early Ezcurra break, Landajo was over for a try. Yet in failing to act accordingly he managed to knock-on.

Several minutes later Los Jaguares had their opening try. Again it was Ezcurra who was the creator. The inside center combined with veteran Juan Manuel Leguizamon who scored. Amazingly it was his first ever Super Rugby try. Nicolás Sánchez missed the conversion. It was the first of many missed points for the evening.

The Southern Kings responded smartly. Luzuko Vulindlu punished the weak defense to level the scores. With Lionel Cronje’s conversion the Port Elizabeth side was leading early in the second quarter.

Sánchez gave Los Jaguares the lead with a penalty. It was short lived, though, as Makazole Mapimpi punished Los Jaguares to score the second try for the Southern Kings. Cronje slotted the conversion.

Recent Pumas debutant, Emiliano Boffelli responded as did Joaquín Tuculet.  Their two tries saw Los Jaguares leading 20-14 at the break.

In the second half  it appeared as though the South Americans were on course for victory. Sánchez’ goal kicking woes were concerning though. He had missed three conversions and he would also fail to land a second half penalty.

The Southern Kings had few woes in comparison. In the 58th minute Mapimpi crossed for his second. Cronje’s conversion made it 25-24 to Los Jaguares.

Replacement fly half Joaquín Díaz Bonilla missed a conversion, underlining the failings of Pérez’ side. It would prove to be the difference between a win and a loss. When Wandile Mjekevule went over for the Southern Kings the African side went 31-24 ahead.

In the final minutes Los Jaguares would score. An excellent cross kick from Díaz Bonilla saw Tuculet gathering and scoring. The replacement fly half had the opportunity to land the conversion to win the game but was unsuccessful in doing so.

Ultimately the result does not change Los Jaguares’ campaign. The side cannot make the play-off’s. The team now has a two-match tour of Australia. It is to be the final opportunity to win matches this season. For individuals it is a last shot at pressing for places in the Rugby Championship.

SCORERS
JAGUARES
Try: Leguizamón, Boffelli, Sánchez, Tuculet (2)
Conversion: Sánchez
Pen: Sánchez

SOUTHERN KINGS
Try: Mapimpi (2), Vulindlu, Mjekevu
Conversion: Cronje (4)
Penalty: Cronje

JAGUARES
15 Joaquín Tuculet, 14 Matías Moroni, 13 Matías Orlando, 12 Bautista Ezcurra, 11 Emiliano Boffelli, 10 Nicolás Sánchez, 9 Martín Landajo (Capt.), 8 Leonardo Senatore, 7 Juan Manuel Leguizamón, 6 Pablo Matera, 5 Matías Alemanno, 4 Guido Petti, 3 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, 2 Julián Montoya, 1 Lucas Noguera

Replacements: 16 Roberto Tejerizo, 17 Santiago García Botta, 18 Enrique Pieretto, 19 Ignacio Larrague, 20 Rodrigo Báez, 21 Gonzalo Bertanou, 22 Joaquín Díaz Bonilla, 23 Santiago Cordero

SOUTHERN KINGS
15 Malcolm Jaer, 14 Wandile Mjekevu, 13 Berton Klaasen, 12 Luzuko Vulindlu, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Lionel Cronje (Capt.), 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 Andisa Ntsila, 7 Tyler Paul, 6 Chris Cloete, 5 Wilhelm van der Sluys, 4 Irne Herbst, 3 Ross Geldenhuys, 2 Michael Willemse, 1 Mzamo Majola

Replacements: 16 Martin Bezuidenhout, 17 Schalk Ferreira, 18 Dayan van der Westhuizen, 19 Lubabalo Mtyanda, 20 Thembelani Bholi, 21 Stefan Ungerer, 22 Masixole Banda, 23 Yaw Penxe