An opportunity to move one giant step closer to the Super Rugby finals is here for the Jaguares when they host the Sharks in Round 15. Join The Roar for live scores from 5:40am (AEST).
With the season moving into its final five weeks, the race for the top eight spots is starting to sort itself out. With three of the five wildcard spots all but assured of going to New Zealand sides, there may well only be one position available for the South African squads.
After five straight victories, the Argentinians have improved their overall record to 7-2 to sit second in the South African conference and seventh overall.
Their run has been a convincing one and now has them in the top eight by four points, with just a one-point gap on the Sharks.
For the losers of this game, they leave themselves fending off sides like the Rebels and Bulls, who have virtually nothing to make up. The winner, particularly if there are any bonus points awarded, will take a giant step away from those outside the eight with just a few games remaining.
What made the run of the Jaguares more incredible was that it started with four wins away from home in a row as they went past the Rebels, Brumbies, Blues and Chiefs, before they returned home last week and towelled up the Bulls by 30 points, running up 54 of their own.
They have played a positive, attacking brand of rugby and with the Sharks’ defensive struggles this year, especially away from home, they could run up another big score here.
The Sharks’ season has been full of inconsistencies, with the side looking like world beaters one week and wooden spooners the next. Getting thumped by the Bulls to the tune of 40-10 a month ago has seemed to spark something though, with the club winning three of their next four games.
Wins against the Stormers, Highlanders and Chiefs were only interrupted by an away loss to the Bulls and while their three wins at home have kept them well and truly in the finals race, their form away from home has been poor.
In fact, they have won just one of six away from home this year and a trip to Argentina isn’t going to make things any easier for the Sharks.
Prediction
The Jaguares are on a roll at the moment and don’t look like being stopped by anyway, especially not on home soil in Argentina. They should get another win here and power on towards the finals.
Jaguares by 12.
Be sure to join The Roar for live scores of this match from 5:40am (AEST) and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.
Kia Kaha
Roar Guru
Gratifying to see the Jaguars doing so well. Even more gratifying to see those people calling for them to be axed disappear into the ether.
Adsa
Guest
Cracker of a game Carlos.
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Carlos ... you missed a good game .... Jags with new coach are the real deal
Cantab
Guest
Yip Jags in with a real shot at winning the conference. But if the lions wallop the hapless stormers tonight they will remain clear front runners.
nickbrisbane
Guest
Maybe we should have offered Mario Ledesma the Wallabies job!
Carlos The Argie
Guest
Shoot! Shoot! Shoot! I missed the bloody game. It is Friday here and did not realize the match was going to be played today, a holiday in ARG. Hello brain, pay attention!
Pinetree
Guest
Whoops, I was right the first time, Jags have won 6 games in a row, included a bye by accident doh!
Pinetree
Guest
Correction, the Jags are on a 7 game winning streak, not 6. Crusaders have won nine games on the trot, stopping the Hurricanes streak at 10 consecutive wins. Crusaders, Canes, and Jags are the in form teams currently. Everyone else has been a bit patchy of late.
Maikél
Guest
Congratulations again, Your talisman works very well. Jags played an impeccable game and the change of mentality that they have makes us feel more secure. Now I hope your talisman will help the Reds. Greetings to all and ... VAMOS JAGUARES !!!
Pinetree
Guest
Congrats on the win NB!
Pinetree
Guest
Nice work from Moyano to score three tries, and to set up the 4th try. Sanchez had a solid game. Can the Jags top the SA conference? The Lions are only 2 points clear on the table, and they have the Stormers and Sharks away from home for their next 2 games, which is by no means a given for the Lions, and they could possibly lose both those games? They are then left with the Bulls at home. The Jags have the Stormers at home, then the Bulls and Sharks away from home, but the Jags are on a 6 game winning streak, including 2 away games vs kiwi teams, so they have all the momentum. I hope the test break does not kill that momentum for the Jags though, probably the team that least wants the break.
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
Congrats mate. Very very happy for you. Damn, the Jags can win all type of games this year. Almost look like the Sharks could steal it for a while, but the Jags don't implode anymore. The Sanchez and Betranou combo is magic. Enjoy your Friday evening. Bedtime for me now.
Nobrain
Roar Guru
Test type game. Jaguares are on fire.
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
Yeah. They had grind their win into the match and almost looked like they could steal the game. But the best team won no doubt that. Jags should have put this game to sleep a lot earlier.
Woodsman
Guest
So so stupid by the sharks lock
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
Pretty entertaining first half, with some crisp play by the Jags, in front of a very healthy crowd. Sanchez is really good again, he must be in the form of his life. His partner in crims Bertranou plays well also. Sharks need to hang in there the first 20 minutes of the second half if they want some points today.