The Jaguares make their third stop in their trans-continental tour to take on the team that’s won the competition the most, the Crusaders, for the first time ever. Join The Roar for live scores, commentary, and a little bit of chat from 5:30pm (AEST).
The Crusaders were rusty against the Force in Perth, scraping a win by just a one point.
Maybe that’s because they were feeling a bit worn out, having visited South Africa to play the Sharks and then the Lions.
They won both games, and since their Round 1 loss to the Chiefs, the Christchurch team have won five – an impressive feat, even if one of those games was against the Kings.
They return to New Zealand tonight, to play only their second home game of the season.
Meanwhile, Argentina’s Jaguares came into Super Rugby outside shots to win the thing… and haven’t done much since.
For this mini-tour of theirs – they’ve played the Blues and the Hurricanes, and lost both games with two poor performances – they decided to leave a lot of their star players at home. But for this game, the Jaguares have recalled some of their rested stars, including Argentina captain, hooker Agustin Creevy.
They’ve also made four other changes in the scrum positions, and three more out at the backs – Juan Martin Hernandez replaces Nicolas Sanchez (rested) at flyhalf after he himself was rested against the Hurricanes.
The big news for the Crusaders is the return of Israel Dagg from a long time out with a shoulder injury. Dagg resumes the title of ‘best fullback named Israel’ with Folau being played at outside centre this week against the Brumbies.
Joe Moody is rotating positions with Wyatt Crockett, swapping the bench for the number 3 jersey. There are also changes at lock (Sean Barrett) and in the backs, with Ben Volavola making way for Dagg.
Prediction
Given the Jaguares’ bad start to the season, and the Crusaders’ eternal ability to be really, really good at rugby, it’s hard to go past the home side.
Crusaders by 10.
wardad
Guest
If not the Chiefs then the Canes to give all NZ sides a title .
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
The Jaguares coach is appalling and should be fired immediately. A smiliar team to the one he leads beat South Africa last year and got the RWC semi-final after strolling through Ireland. Yet he is beaten by everyone in Super rugby.
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
I know ... I respect them very much but don't want them to win the title ... they have had enough wins... I'd like to see the Canes to have a win to get the monkey off their back but next 2 games for them will tell us plenty..
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Awww mate thanks .. wouldn't miss it for quids! but plenty of others here as well... just to shy to make a fool of themselves like me... *S*
Nicholas Hartman
Roar Guru
Thanks mate!
Nicholas Hartman
Roar Guru
I've covered a lot of Force games, and tonight for the Jags the story seemed to be the same. This is a very experienced side, and sometimes it showed in their set piece fight, but the handling errors were ridiculous. They look buggered and/or they couldnt give a stuff. The Crusaders were amazing. So amazing that Nadolo actually didnt have much on an impact. They didn't need him to be a game breaker. They've now won 6 straight...last time they did that, they won the title. Yikes. If there wasn't a finals place reserved for Australians, would any team get in behind the Crusaders, Highlanders and Chiefs? Join whoever it is - probably Nathan, he's been doing a liveblog a day lately - for the Rebels Hurricanes game, on next It's not actually up yet, but I'm gonna have a crack at the url: theroar.com.au/2016/04/15/rebels-vs-hurricanes-super-rugby-live-scores-blog/ Thanks for joining everyone, and for your comments. Special shout out to my boy Rugby Tragic, thanks for you company mate! It actually does mean a lot. it gets lonely up here sometimes! Until next time, see ya!
Harry Jones
Expert
Howzit RT! Crusaders won't be fun for anyone to play in the finals
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Evening/morning/good afternnoon Harry....
Harry Jones
Expert
Great to see Dagg, a real RUGBY player, in action
Digby
Roar Guru
Thanks Nick, great blog.
Nicholas Hartman
Roar Guru
FULLTIME Mo'unga misses a penalty kick at the siren (after a Jags player threw the ball away in frustration). No mind though, because the Crusaders win and get the bonus point CRU 32 – 15 JAG
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Thanks Nicholas ... great call and good company
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Well second half did not match the 1st ... hard to say if the Jags improved that much in that half of the Saders went off the boil
Nicholas Hartman
Roar Guru
80 mins Here's a stat: as bad as the Jaguares have been, the Crusaders have only conceded 5 less turnovers. It's 19 - 24 in that department CRU 32 – 15 JAG
Nicholas Hartman
Roar Guru
77 mins TRY!!! Jaguares, Iglesias The Crusaders get the ball. Nadolo has it, and tries some tricky kick. He buggers it up and it turns into a ruck. The Jaguares force a penalty, take the quick tap before a nice tactical kick is bulleted down the floor to the corner, and Iglesias, who has some competition, lucks out when the ball bobbles up in his hands. He falls over, and there's a try CRU 32 – 15 JAG
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
They needed Daggs try for the BP.. now can the Jags ruin that aspiration?
Nicholas Hartman
Roar Guru
75 mins It's now another scrum. The Crusaders won the last one, but a forward pass went to Volavola (who has a ridiculous hairstyle). The Jags have it for three phases: one of them nearly gets turned over, one of them the scrummie throws a grubber and the last one offloads to a Crusaders but wait a minute... CRU 32 – 10 JAG
Nicholas Hartman
Roar Guru
73 mins The Jags get pinged because their loosie had his shoulders below his hips. Joubert informs so; come on Craig, he has no idea what you said. Act it out mate. Anyway, there's more of the same attacking play that is interspersed with tired set pieces and lots of dropped ball. There's a moment where Nadolo is incorrectly ruled out when he kicks the ball mid gallop, but that's not that exciting. Felipe Contepomi is running the water for the Jags, that's nice. Currently have a scrum 40m out from the Jags line CRU 32 – 10 JAG
Jack
Guest
Need to start kicking goals though. It's not gonna be blow out 5 try to 1 wins towards the end of the season and the goal kicking has been good on a great day and downright embarrassing on a bad one. Not sure that's the kind of thing that can be sorted mid season with any success.
Nicholas Hartman
Roar Guru
70 mins The Crusaders are pinged for 'leaning' so the Jags get the ball. They run the ball, have a few offloads, before they lose it. Next phase, Isa wins it back. Then Isa loses it again 5 seconds later. Now we have a scrum because after the Crusaders kick it away, the Jags lose it. Creevy's off. He's played well tonight CRU 32 – 10 JAG