Los Jaguares XV were given a scare by Os Cobras on Friday evening. Played in Ciudad del Este, the fifth round SLAR 2022 clash between the Argentine and Brazilian entrants was a dogged performance from the underdogs; Os Cobras held the lead at half-time.
The final score of 35-11 is a reflection of how the final quarter unfolded. Los Jaguares XV were far from convincing in the opening half and were under further pressure during the game’s third quarter.
Lucas Tranquez opened the scoring. In his first of two opening half penalties the Brazilian fullback made it 3-0 after 13 minutes. It was responded to by Los Jaguares with the best try of the season. The younger brother of Pumas winger Bautista Delguy, showed that talent runs in the family. In a memorable solo effort, Iñaki Delguy brushed off tacklers and showed neat feet to get into the try zone.
Gerónimo Prisciantelli converted Delguy’s try and also added a penalty late in the first half. The penalty put Los Jaguares XV 10-6 ahead; yet, they would be overtaken by Os Cobras on the stroke of half-time. A great run down the left opened a gap and quick recycling followed. A cross-kick then saw an unmarked Simon Bienvenu over for the score.
The job was half done by the Brazilian side. They new that they were in the match and continued to celebrate individual wins when Frank Méndez’s whistle blew in their favor in the third quarter.
Ultimately, Los Jaguares XV got it together. The injection from the bench was differential. What had been a lackluster first 40+ minutes from much of the forwards was not so for the final 25 or so minutes of the contest. Bautista Bernasconi scored a double from lineout to maul plays and replacement scrum-half Rafael Iriarte scored with time up for the bonus point.
Both teams now turn their attention to the second half of SLAR 2022. The remaining matches this season will all be at Montevideo’s Estadio Charrúa. Los Jaguares XV fly there in second position while Os Cobras are bottom.
The Brazilian’s face 2nd played Peñarol in their next match on April 23. Los Jaguares XV will take on Los Cafeteros Pro.
SCORING
COBRAS 11
Tries – S Bienvenu (40′)
Cons – L Tranquez 0/1
Pens – L Tranquez 2/2 (13′, 26′)
YC – D Muller (69′)
JAGUARES 35
Tries – I Delguy (14′), B Bernasconi 2 (59′, 69′) Iriarte (80′)
Cons – G Prisciantelli 3/4 (15′, 70′, 80′)
Pens – G Prisciantelli 2/2 (38′, 52′)
TEAMS
COBRAS
1 Brendon Alves, 2 Endy Willian Pinheiro, 3 Mariano Filomeno, 4 Gabriel Paganini, 5 Gabriel Oliveira, 6 Cléber Días, 7 Arthur Bergo, 8 Matheus Cláudio, 9 Douglas Rauth, 10 Bautista Santamarina, 11 Daniel Lima, 12 Joel dos Santos, 13 Simon Bienvenu, 14 Robert Tenorio, 15 Lucas Tranquez
Replacements: 16 David Miller, 17 Henrique Ferreira, 18 Joel Ramírez, 19 Kauã Guimarães, 20 Devon Muller, 21 Laurent Bourda-Couhet, 22 Victor Silva, 23 Gabriel Quirino
JAGUARES XV
1 Mayco Vivas, 2 Ignacio Ruiz, 3 Lautaro Saisi, 4 Manuel Bernstein, 5 Rodrigo Fernández Criado, 6 Santiago Ruiz, 7 Eliseo Chiavassa, 8 Bautista Pedemonte, 9 Joaquín Pellandini, 10 Gerónimo Prisciantelli, 11 Martín Bogado, 12 Santiago Mare, 13 Tomás Cubilla (capt.), 14 Iñaki Delguy, 15 Ignacio Mendy
Replacements: 16 Bautista Bernasconi, 17 Santiago Pulella, 18 Martín Villar, 19 Pedro Rubiolo, 20 Jerónimo Gómez Vara, 21 Rafael Iriarte, 22 Tomás Súarez, 23 Nicanor López
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Frank Méndez (Chile)
Assistant Referees: Francisco González (Uruguay); Andrés Bogado (Paraguay)
TMO: Alejandro Longres (Uruguay)