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Los Jaguares’ hookers scored four tries as the Argentine side stunned the Reds in a comeback victory this evening in Buenos Aires. Having been trailing 24-14 at half time, Los Jaguares rebounded in the second half to win the match 43-27.
The match saw Los Jaguares forced into late changes. Former captain, Agustín Creevy was forced out on Friday while current captain, Jerónimo de la Fuente was ruled out two hours before kick-off. Their respective places went to Julián Montoya and Juan Cruz Mallía, both of whom had strong performances.
The Reds started the match with a bang. They crossed for four first half tries, the first of which went to scrum half Tate McDermott. Flanker, and captain Liam Wright scored the second Reds’ try before Chris Feauai-Sautiabagged a double.
First half tries for Los Jaguares went to Montoya and Emiliano Boffelli. The opening score was the first of four hookers’ tries for the match from rolling-mauls that came from attacking lineouts. Boffelli’s score was from a cross kick with him getting a fortunate bounce from Jock Campbell in the air.
In the second half the Reds scored three points, it was a response to Domingo Miotti’s first points of the half. For the remainder of the match, Los Jaguares were in firm control. They went over for four tries with three of them scored by hookers.
The lineout and maul worked for Montoya to bag two of them as brought back memories of his game against Tonga as he claimed a hat-trick. His replacement, Santiago Socino made his first appearance of 2020 and scored the next try.
Los Jaguares’ sixth, and final, score saw from the backs. A dart down the touchline from Boffelli saw him step inside and link with Tomás Cubelli who crossed for the try. Amonther replacement, Tomás Albornoz, made a memorable debut by converting the try.
Both teams are to now hop on planes. The Reds travel home to Australia to prepare for their next game against the Sunwolves on February 22, while Los Jaguares are to embark on their first tour of South Africa. They face the Stormers on February 22; the Bulls on February 29; and the Sharks on March 07.
SCORERS
JAGUARES (43)
Try: Montoya (3), Boffelli, Socino, Cubelli
Conversion: Miotti (3), Albornoz
Penalty: Miotti
REDS (27)
Try: McDermott, Wright, Feauai-Sautia (2)
Conversion: Campbell (2)
Penalty: Campbell
TEAMS
JAGUARES
1 Mayco Vivas, 2 Julián Montoya (capt.), 3 Lucio Sordoni, 4 Guido Petti, 5 Lucas Paulos, 6 Tomás Lezana, 7 Marcos Kremer, 8 Rodrigo Bruni, 9 Felipe Ezcurra, 10 Domingo Miotti, 11 Emiliano Boffelli, 12 Juan Cruz Mallia, 13 Matías Moroni, 14 Bautista Delguy, 15 Santiago Carreras
Replacements: 16 Santiago Socino, 17 Javier Díaz, 18 Joel Sclavi, 19 Matías Alemanno, 20 Javier Ortega Desio, 21 Tomás Cubelli, 22 Tomás Albornoz, 23 Santiago Chocobares
REDS
1 JP Smith, 2 Alex Mafi, 3 Taniela Tupou, 4 Izack Rodda, 5 Angus Blyth, 6 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 7 Liam Wright (capt.), 8 Harry Wilson, 9 Tate McDermott, 10 James O’Connor, 11 Henry Speight, 12 Hamish Stewart, 13 Hunter Paisami, 14 Chris Feauai-Sautia, 15 Jock Campbell
Replacements: 16 Sean Farrell, 17 Dane Zander, 18 Josh Nasser, 19 Harry Hockings, 20 Angus Scott-Young, 21 Moses Sorovi, 22 Isaac Lucas, 23 Bryce Hegarty
