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The Blues took an eight-point win over the Jaguares on Saturday, condemning the new franchise to a fourth consecutive loss.
Final score
Blues 24
Jaguares 16
Welcome to the tie breaker! Both teams have seven points on the ladder. So this match decides who is better: the 130 year-old team, or 13 months old? Join The Roar to find out with lives scores and a blog of the match when the Blues take on the Jaguares from 5:35pm AEDT.
Whose form is more difficult to judge? Is it an old team with a new coach, or an old coach with a new team?
Raúl Pérez was the assistant in Pumas’ impressive World Cup campaign, and will have no surprises with the players. What is surprising is the poor Argentinean set piece.
The good news for them is tackle busting. They are top dog in the southern hemisphere. Winger Santiago Cordero is their best, but had a car accident and is unavailable for a fortnight.
Nevertheless the majority of his teammates deliver incredible tackle busting results. This is quite an interesting way of playing the game. Last week, young lock Tomas Lavanini’s attack outperformed Eben Etzebeth.
Unfortunately, in addition to set piece, the Jaguares defence and discipline has been terrible. They have conceded the most yellow cards in the competition and rank at the bottom end of tackling statistics.
The Blues new head coach Tana Umaga, has his work cut out for him also.
Whilst they should have supremacy in set piece and defence, their attack is not good enough. They need to finish off their redzone opportunities and score many more tries.
The other key item is Ihaia West. His missed kicks have a played a role in narrow losses and the draws. Maybe he needs to smile more, to improve from 70 per cent.
Replacement stats: Blues 4 vs Jaguares 9
Jerome Kaino busted his shoulder, tackling Karmichael Hunt. Prop Ofa Tu’ungafasi has had one penalty too many, and will not start the game. Rene Ranger is back in the squad to partner with a new English centre with an old French name: Piers Francis.
The key Pumas on furlough are back-rower Juan Manuel Leguizamon, tricky Joaquin Tuculet and masterful Juan Martin Hernandez. Amazingly, the captain Agustin Creevy is having a rest.
Whilst the Blues fielded a foreigner in their ranks, SANZAAR has selected an all New Zealand referee team, including the TMO. It is a head scratcher.
In any case, as DaniE aptly reminded me: the season is young and there are many games ahead. This game is the first of linchpin weeks ahead that determines the fortunes of fledgling coaches, regenerative teams and baby franchises.
Which replacement captain will prevail?
All Black hooker James Pearson will lead his men for a month. Pumas scrum-half Martín Landajo takes over the reins while the over-travelled Jaguares recharge their batteries.
Their mettle as leaders will be tested, and this game may come to the wire. But the better leader will be the one to pull their team clearly ahead early.
The Blues will combine set piece, and physicality of players like “killer” Akira, Rene Ranger to terrorise the Jaguares defence. They also have the advantage of a week’s rest, limited travel, more settled finishers, experienced combinations and home ground support.
But if the Blues lose, I fear Rugby Tragic will tear off whatever hair he has left from whatever part of his body.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.