Roar Guru
Argentina’s Jaguares have completed Australia’s round of Super Rugby misery with a 25-20 win over the Brumbies in Canberra.
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Final score
Brumbies 20
Jaguares 25
It has been an ugly round for their Australian counterparts. Can the Brumbies pinch a game back when they host the Jaguares in Canberra this afternoon? Join The Roar for live scores and a blog from 4:05pm AEST.
The Brumbies have been handed a lifeline in the Australian conference thanks to an insipid performance from the Waratahs on Friday night, and a loss from the Rebels to the Bulls in South Africa overnight.
They’ll keep within striking distance of the top of the conference if they can win in the nation’s capital this afternoon.
So… team news:
Dan McKellar has made four changes to the home sides run on fifteen. Christian Lealifano will have a week off, with Kyle Godwin taking his place at inside centre. Matt Lucas drops to the bench, allowing Joe Powell a start. Chance Peni and Tom Banks round out a back three that sees Henry Speight return on the right wing.
For Mario Ledesma’s Jaguares, fullback Joaquin Tuculet returns in a boost for the visitors. Emiliano Boffelli shifts to the wing, whilst Martin Landajo has been relegated to the bench – Gonzalo Bertranou taking his place at scrumhalf.
The two sides form-lines heading into this clash couldn’t be more contrasting.
The Brumbies were stoic in the first 60 minutes against the Highlanders last start, before running out of gas in the final stages of the game – eventually losing 43-17.
The Jaguares wrestled themselves out of a form slump, however, with a win against the Melbourne Rebels.
Where the game will be won
Who wants it more?
Both sides have a 3-4, win-loss record heading into this one, and whoever loses puts themselves on the back foot heading into the moving stages of the season. The Brumbies have key finishers out wide, and they’ll need all the firepower in attack that they can get against a very strong Jags set piece.
The game will be decided in the last 20, and I think the home ground advantage counts for some here.
Brumbies by 7
Join The Roar for live scores of the match, starting from 4:05pm AEDT.