Waratahs vs Jaguares – Match Preview

History will be made on Saturday with Los Jaguares playing for the first time in Australia. The early morning match will see the Argentine side facing the Waratahs in Sydney. It is to be the first of two matches in the country, concluding Los Jaguares’ Super Rugby campaign.

The home side have changed two from their previous fixture. Having debuted for Australia against Italy last month, Jack Dempsey will start at flanker for the Waratahs. On the right wing Bryce Hegarty takes over from Taqele Naiyaravoro who has been named on the bench.

Head Coach Daryl Gibson has also made two changes to his bench. The fit-again Andrew Kellaway is joined by Australian u20 second-rower Ryan McCauley. Should he receive game time McCauley will be making his Super Rugby debut.

Coming off a highly criticized home defeat Jaguares Head Coach Raúl Pérez has made four changes. In the backs Bautista Ezcurra makes way for Jerónimo de la Fuente in the one alteration.  In the pack Enrique Pieretto returns to start at Tight Head prop with Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro moving to Loose Head.  Lucas Noguera Paz is out through injury. Agustín Creevy is back to lead from hooker.

Also uninvolved through injury is Matías Alemanno. His spot has gone to No 8 Benjamin Macome who will play out of position. Ignacio Larrague is on the bench offering specialist cover for the second-row.

The loss of Lucas Noguera Paz means Santiago García Botta is the one player to have played in all of Los Jaguares’ matches in 2017.  The Belgrano Athletic Loose Head prop has 5 starts and 8 appearances from the bench.

Both teams are packed with players who will play in the Rugby Championship. With the Jaguares struggling the Waratahs enter as clear favorites.

The Australians have a lot of attacking options in the back. Bernard Foley and Israel Folau are among the leading players in their positions anywhere. Michael Hooper, Sekope Kepu and Tolu Latu offer class in the pack. The light Jaguares second-row will require a big match to be competitive.

With Daniel Hourcade exclusively using Jaguares for Los Pumas last month this is a critical match for many involved. Argentina’s losses in Santa Fé and San Juan underlined the work required to be competitive in the Rugby Championship.

WARATAHS
15 Israel Folau, 14 Bryce Hegarty, 13 Rob Horne, 12 David Horwitz, 11 Cam Clark, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Jake Gordon, 8 Michael Wells, 7 Michael Hooper (Capt.), 6 Jack Dempsey, 5 Dean Mumm, 4 Ned Hanigan, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Tolu Latu, 1 Tom Robertson

Replacements: 16 Damien Fitzpatrick, 17 Paddy Ryan, 18 Angus Taavao, 19 David McDuling, 20 Ryan McCauley, 21 Matt Lucas, 22 Taqele Naiyaravoro, 23 Andrew Kellaway

JAGUARES
15 Joaquín Tuculet, 14 Matías Moroni, 13 Matías Orlando, 12 Jerónimo de la Fuente, 11 Emiliano Boffelli, 10 Nicolás Sánchez, 9 Martín Landajo, 8 Leonardo Senatore, 7 Juan Manuel Leguizamón, 6 Pablo Matera, 5 Benjamin Macome, 4 Guido Petti, 3 Enrique Pieretto, 2 Agustin Creevy (Capt.), 1 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro

Replacements: 16 Julián Montoya, 17 Santiago García Botta, 18 Ramiro Herrera, 19 Ignacio Larrague, 20 Rodrigo Báez, 21 Gonzalo Bertranou, 22 Joaquín Díaz Bonilla, 23 Santiago Cordero

Date: Saturday July 08
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Kick-off: 7:45pm local (6:40am Argentina)
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand)
Assistants: Angus Gardner (Australia) and Jordan Way (Australia)
TMO: Ian Smith (Australia)