Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
Saturday will see the start of a non-stop ending to the 2019 Super Rugby season for Los Jaguares. The Argentine franchise’s home game against Australian side the Brumbies is the first of eight straight games in as many weeks.
It is to be followed by a home game next weekend against the Stormers; a tour to New Zealand and Australia to face the Highlanders, Hurricanes, Waratahs, and Reds; and home matches against the Sharks, and Sunwolves.
Having had a bye last weekend Gonzalo Quesada’s rested player roster sees three changes from the team that defeated the Sharks in Durban. The changes are based on fitness rather than rewarding players for their form.
In the front-row Julián Montoya makes way for Agustín Creevy at hooker. This sees a first start for the inaugural captain since his rib injury against the Blues on March 02. The pack is otherwise a repeat from Durban. This sees Tomás Lezana retaining his spot ahead of the incumbent, but out of form, Javier Ortega Desio.
In the backs Matías Moroni and Joaquín Tuculet are both out through injury. They join Bautista Delguy, and Ramiro Moyano to see four of Gonzalo Quesada’s five best back-three players all out of action. Yet this need not be a problem due to the strong depth available in these positions.
The line-up against the Brumbies sees Emiliano Boffelli moving from the left wing to fullback for Tuculet; Sebastián Cancelliere back in the team to play in place of Moroni; and rookie Santiago Carreras given his first start in Super Rugby, wearing the 11 shirt.
The replacement forwards are unchanged from Durban while the backs see two alterations. Joining Felipe Ezcurra will be his brother Bautista Ezcurra, and Juan Cruz Mallía. The selection of Mallía sees no place for Joaquín Díaz Bonilla while Santiago González Iglesias is also unable to make the cut.
The Brumbies go into this weekend’s match with two changes from last weekend. They were 19-17 winners over the Stormers in Cape Town, an impressive win to bring the season record up to 4 wins and 5 losses.
The alterations come a prop and scrum-half with James Slipper, and Matt Lucas named to start in place of Scott Sio, and Dan McKellar respectively.
The match is to be the third between the teams. The first saw the Brumbies winning 39-17 in Buenos Aires in 2017 with the Argentine side winning the second 25-20 in Canberra in 2018.
The teams are relatively evenly matched. There are notable clashes such as Emiliano Boffelli vs Tom Banks, and Santiago Medrano vs James Slipper. Yet Matías Orlando vs Tevita Kuridrani looms as being the key match-up, a likely prelude to what will follow in the Rugby Championship.
The recent form, combined with rest sees Los Jaguares going into Saturday’s fixture as favorites. Following a tight opening half the Argentine side should be able to push-on in the second half to come away with an 8 point victory.
TEAMS
JAGUARES
15 Emiliano Boffelli, 14 Sebastián Cancelliere, 13 Matías Orlando, 12 Jerónimo de la Fuente, 11 Santiago Carreras, 10 Domingo Miotti, 9 Tomás Cubelli, 8 Tomás Lezana, 7 Marcos Kremer, 6 Pablo Matera, 5 Tomás Lavanini, 4 Guido Petti, 3 Santiago Medrano, 2 Agustín Creevy, 1 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro
Replacements: 16 Julián Montoya, 17 Mayco Vivas, 18 Enrique Pieretto, 19 Rodrigo Bruni, 20 Javier Ortega Desio, 21 Felipe Ezcurra, 22 Bautista Ezcurra, 23 Juan Cruz Mallía
BRUMBIES
15 Tom Banks, 14 Henry Speight, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Tom Wright, 11 Toni Pulu, 10 Christian Lealiifano, 9 Matt Lucas, 8 Pete Samu, 7 Tom Cusack, 6 Jahrome Brown, 5 Sam Carter, 4 Rory Arnold, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Folau Fainga’a, 1 James Slipper
Replacements: 16 Connal Mcinerney, 17 Scott Sio, 18 Leslie Leuluaialii-Makin, 19 Darcy Swain, 20 Murray Douglas, 21 Joe Powell, 22 Irae Simone, 23 Andy Muirhead
Date: Saturday, April 27
Kick-Off: 6:40pm (Argentina)
Venue: Vélez Sarsfield, Buenos Aires
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)
Assistant Referees: Federico Anselmi (Argentina), AJ Jacobs (South Africa)
TMO: Santiago Borsani
