The Jaguares host the Sunwolves in the final game of Round 11 looking to snap a losing streak and keep their finals hopes on track. Catch the live scores on The Roar from 7:40am (AEST).
The Jaguares shot out of the gates this season, jumping away to four wins, the same amount as their entire debut season, and looked like a shoe-in for finals rugby.
However, they have slipped up mid-season and now face the possibility of seeing those finals hopes slip away thanks to four losses in a row leading into this week.
A painful three-point loss to the Lions on the road was followed up by a disappointing finish to a strong start against the Sharks last week, going down 33-25 at home.
That Sharks loss was a big turnaround for the Jags, who went from sitting right next to them in the standings, to now being eight points behind them in the Africa 2 Conference.
Due to the failing Africa 1 group, a second place finish in this group would be enough to snag a shot at the finals, however with the Lions so far out in front, having lost just one of their ten games, it’s up to the Argentines to close back in on the Sharks.
Speaking of Africa 1, the Sunwolves are sitting dead last in not only that conference, but the entire 18-team competition in terms of points.
They have just one win to their name from nine games, an emotional victory over the Bulls in Tokyo, leaving them at the wrong end of the standings.
A late charge last week nearly had them pull off the heist of the century against an unsuspecting Chiefs side, just going down 27-20 in New Zealand.
This will be the Moon Dogs fourth game on the road in a row.
These sides have only met once before, having just joined the competition last year, and it was the scene of the Sunwolves first ever win, and only win of the year, getting up 36-28 at home.
Team News
Bulk changes this week with 16 alterations coming across both sides, including 10 for the Sunwolves, so we’ll try to keep it snappy.
For the Jaguares, Argentine veteran Juan Martin Hernandez has been brought into the starting flyhalf role, replacing Nicolas Sanchez.
Santiago Cordero and Emiliano Boffelli have been promoted to start on the two wings, while Santiago Gonzalez replaces Jeronimo de la Fuente at inside centre.
In the forwards, Rodrigo Baez comes in at flanker and Santiago Garcia Botta bags the loose head prop role.
The Sunwolves have ploughed through their starting line up from last week.
Takeshi Hino, Keisuke Uchida, Kenki Fukuoka, Shota Emi, and Ryohei Yamanaka all come back from international duty, playing for Japan in the Asian Rugby Championship.
Shota Emi and Kenki Fukuoka have come back into the side from injury, while Takeshi Kizu, Heiichiro Ito, Hayden Cripps, Fumiaki Tanaka and Teruya Goto have all succumbed to it, being sent home from the tour.
Prediction
This should be an entertaining clash between two fan-favourite sides of the competition.
The Sunwolves will always be battlers and underdogs that people want to see succeed, but the Jaguares have been a different side this season from last and need this win to keep the finals hopes alive and kicking.
Jaguares to win by 23
Froddo
Guest
Two of the worst teams in SR showing why they should not have been included in this tournament. Lots of handling errors and lack of discipline, weak defense, heavy strong but unorganized forwards and messy, very messy attacks. Really disappointing from the point of view of the quality and spirit of rugby,...but the large amount of errors made it a very dynamic match with lots of points indeed. Lets watch some other teams today to see some real rugby for a chance.
Spencer Kassimir
Roar Pro
What a game. ¡Viva los Jaguares!
DaniE
Roar Guru
Penalty to Jags off the scrum and they kick it out to actually end the game. Win to Jags, 46-39! It appears that my comment reporting a Jags try is being moderated as the try-scorers name includes the word mor-on ?
DaniE
Roar Guru
Wolves had an attacking penalty only to quick tap and subsequently lose the ball.
DaniE
Roar Guru
The ref calls the game with 30 seconds to play, and walks off, only to be told by the assistant ref that there's still time to play!
DaniE
Roar Guru
Terrific Jags try has the score at 46-39
DaniE
Roar Guru
Jeez a Jags mistake in their 22, gives a scrum for the Wolves with 3 minutes remaining
DaniE
Roar Guru
Moroni over for a try that began in their 22! Two chip kicks, the second one nicely picked up, Bonilla converts, 46-39. The Sunwolves were on notice for a sloppy high tackle, their wariness was taken advantage of for a great try.
hog
Guest
Well its entertaining.
DaniE
Roar Guru
Powerful maul gets Cpt Creevy over the line! Bonilla kicks but it swings to the right... 39-all!!! 7 mins left.
Exile In Oz
Roar Rookie
Ha ha classic. That is how I live most of my life at home.
DaniE
Roar Guru
Penalty to Jags, after retaining the ball from the lineout. Kicking for the corner.
DaniE
Roar Guru
Argentinian crowd has picked up now after the SWs kick it out on the full - good attacking position with 10 mins left
DaniE
Roar Guru
Trying to pay attention to the game with two little boys creating havoc around me...
DaniE
Roar Guru
Jags score a good one, 34-39 now.
Exile In Oz
Roar Rookie
Good job DaniE on picking up the commenary! I'm at work this morning and am disapointed with the lack of blog to keep up on the play.
DaniE
Roar Guru
The Jags restarts :/
DaniE
Roar Guru
Another try for the Moondoggies! Passing and moving forward with pace and urgency, players really using their legs to get ahead - the right approach for this game. Jags 27-Sunw 39 at 60mins
DaniE
Roar Guru
Great running lines from the Sunwolves for that try! Terrific looking supporters for them in the crowd.
Metalisticpain
Guest
Something needs to be done about the rolling maul laws. Half the time the team carring lose thier feet and its deemed a collapse. For a set piece to generate so many penalties, clearly something needs to be changed. I'm all for blatant collapsing to be penalised. But if your putting body on the line and it all falls over...