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Following extensive training camps Los Jaguares and the Argentina XV have now opened their years on the field. They did so this afternoon, playing warm-up fixture in Buenos Aires. It was a match featuring three periods of 30 minutes.
Both teams are coached by former world class players. Mario Ledesma arrived at Los Jaguares from the Wallabies. Prior to that he also coached in both Super Rugby in Australia and in the French Top 14. His assistant coaches are Martín Gaitán and Nicolás Fernández Miranda – players to have also represented their country at World Cups.
Meanwhile Ledesma’s Rugby World Cup 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2011 teammate Felipe Contepomi is Head Coach of the Argentina XV. Rugby World Cup 1999, 2003 and 2007 second-rower Ignacio Fernández Lobbe is one of Contepomi’s two assistants.
Needless to say the players are not only in capable hands but they are playing under their actual heroes.
Los Jaguares are to depart for South Africa on February 06 while the Argentina XV will face the USA in Los Angeles on February 03 to begin their Americas Rugby Championship campaign. Both sides will take with them gains made from today’s fixture.
Both sides had players starting who were doing so in experimental capacities. This was more reflective in Los Jaguares than the Argentina XV. Indeed the first Jaguar to score was Bautista Delguy. The Pumitas fullback started on the wing and scored what was the game’s second try, doing so with a great side-step and lightening speed.
The opening score was from Argentina XV no 8 Santiago Montagner. He picked-up from a 5 meter scrum to get past defenders and score. The scrum featured the Argentina XV taking apart Los Jaguares.
With one try a piece it was the successful conversion from Nicolás Sánchez which proved the difference. At the end of the first period Los Jaguares led 7-5.
Montagner’s try had surprised Los Jaguares. It would be responded to swiftly though it had added to the debate surrounding Ledesma’s no 8 players. All three specialists are in their 30’s and it was Leonardo Senatore playing opposite Montagner, a potentially better option in 2018 for Los Pumas.
In the second period Ledesma made changes. This included the introduction of Martín Landajo and Joaquín Díaz Bonilla in the halves. The Super Rugby franchise dominated the second period, scoring three tries. They were scored by hookers Julian Montoya and Diego Fortuny and a second score from Delguy.
Los Jaguares’ lead would come under threat in the third period. Rodrigo Bruni demonstrated his value to score a well-taken try. Tomás Granella landed the conversion to make it a 24-12 scoreline.
Four minutes later Los Jaguares debutant Santiago Álvarez Fourcade restored Los Jaguares’ advantage. The center’s try was converted by veteran replacement Juan Martín Hernández. It would be the final score of the match. With it Los Jaguares finished as 31-12 winners.
SCORING
JAGUARES
Try: Delguy (2), Montoya, Fortuny, Álvarez Fourcade
Conversion: Sánchez (2), Hernández
ARGENTINA XV
Try: Montagner, Bruni
Conversion: Granella
TEAMS
JAGUARES
15 Emiliano Boffelli, 14 Bautista Delguy, 13 Santiago Álvarez Fourcade, 12 Bautista Ezcurra, 11 Ramiro Moyano, 10 Nicolás Sánchez, 9 Gonzalo Bertranou, 8 Leonardo Senatore, 7 Marcos Kremer, 6 Pablo Matera (capt.), 5 Matías Alemanno, 4 Benjamín Macome, 3 Juan Pablo Zeiss, 2 Julián Montoya, 1 Felipe Arregui
ARGENTINA XV
15 Gastón Arias, 14 Germán Schulz, 13 Juan Cruz Mallía, 12 Juan Cappiello, 11 Rodrigo Etchart, 10 Juan Cruz González, 9 Luca Magnasco, 8 Santiago Montagner, 7 Lautaro Bavaro (capt.), 6 Tomás de la Vega, 5 Ignacio Larrague, 4 Jerónimo Ureta, 3 Benjamín Espinal, 2 Axel Zapata, 1 Francisco Ferronato
