The Jaguares can all but confirm their spot in the Super Rugby finals when they host the Stormers in the final game of the weekend. Join The Roar for live scores from 3:40am (AEST).
With the first round back from the June international break leaving the competition just three weeks from the beginning of the finals, a hot run of form in the lead-up has the Jaguares in pole position for a top eight spot.
While they started the season as poorly as they ended the last, the Argentinian outfit put on a splendid display of rugby consistently to fly up the table.
Winning six straight, including the first four of those away from home have brought the Jaguares onto the map as a force to be reckoned with, and while it’ll be tough playing finals away from home, their form suggests they will be able to.
The Mario Ledesma-coached outfit have had their exponential rise from zero to hero on the back of a defensive line which refuses to crack, no matter the situation. They have only conceded more than 30 points in their run of wins once – against the South African-conference leading Lions.
While their attack could still use some work, it’s doing the little things right and a willingness to compete when under pressure allowing the Argentinan outfit to fly high.
The Stormers, on the other hand, had a similarly poor start to the season, but have only risen to the heights of inconsistency since, now desperately needing a win in a game which has the potential to end their season on the spot.
They had three straight losses leading into the international window and with two of those games at home and the other against the last-placed Sunwolves, it’s hard to feel sorry for the plight of the Stormers.
The Cape-Town based outfit’s attacking performances have been best described as weak, with not anywhere enough threatening play. If that continues, they barely stand a chance against the Jaguares.
Prediction
The Jagaures were very strong before the international break and Buenos Aires is slowly becoming a tough place to play. The Stormers have been inconsistent and their push to the finals will virtually come to an end here.
Jaguares by 9.
Be sure to join The Roar for live scores of the match from 3:40am (AEST) and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.
Nobrain
Roar Guru
The TV only mention the tickets bought for the Jauares game, but the final of Ncional the Clubes was played right after that in the same stadium and tose ticket were were given to both clubs thay play the final. No less than 10.000 were added this way.
Pinetree
Guest
The biggest threat to the Crusaders will be the NZ team that we face in the SF. If the Crusaders lose the SF to one of the Canes, Highlanders or Chiefs, depending on QF results and final table, this would open up a great chance for the other conference leaders.
Cantab
Guest
RW - yes possible but I don’t think very likely. I hope the Jags do come second, crusaders would appreciate getting to host the final against a team that had to fly all the way around world a couple days before. PeterK - yes, huge game!
PeterK
Roar Guru
I noted on the other blog that the very last game between Sharks and Jagueres could well decide who finishes top of SA conference, who finishes 2nd , 3rd over all, whether Sharks or Rebels get 8th spot.
PeterK
Roar Guru
RW - Very true Tahs could easily drop a game to the brumbies who have finally found some form. Jagueres smashed both the bulls and sharks at home so could sneak both wins away which would have them finish 2nd in the comp. IMO they would beat the 7th place getter most likley highlanders
Reverse Wheel
Guest
Jags could well get 2nd seed so would only need to travel for final, if the crusaders make it.
Geoff Parkes
Expert
The TV coverage stated the crowd was just over 16,000 Nobes.
Cantab
Guest
Yip totally agree. Waratahs could be a real threat if they come second (which they loook like they will). Jags problems is that’s there is not a scenario where they won’t have to do a bucket load of travel. But yes hard to argue with that streak and great for the comp if they make the final. I know I’m a one eyed crusaders fan, but I just can’t see anyone getting past us at home this year. We are now in a position where we can rotate players out (Whitelock, Crotty) and don’t need to rush Read back. Only an injury to mo’unga could stop us and even then I back is in at home.
Pinetree
Guest
"So it’s all on the Jags to win 2 on the road. Hope they do it but don’t think they will." If the Jags do win 2 on the road, then I wouldn't want to be the team that plays them in the QF on a nine game winning streak! Good to see the Crusaders have already secured top spot, would love to see a Crusader/Jaguares final. Lions not looking all that convincing to me this year, they should beat the Bulls, but I wouldn't fear them in the playoffs. Waratahs look a bigger threat and showing some form.
Cantab
Guest
Yip that’s it PT. Lions will walk it in at home against the bulls. So it’s all on the Jags to win 2 on the road. Hope they do it but don’t think they will. Bonus points went the lions way this weekend, even though the results didn’t.
Pinetree
Guest
Jags have already played the Lions twice, the Jags travel to play the Bulls and Sharks in SA, the Lions have a bye and play at home to the Bulls in the final round. Jags win both games, they top the conference. If Lions lose to the Bulls, then the Jags will only have to win 1 game to top conference.
Bakkies
Guest
They could be on the same coaching ticket.
Bakkies
Guest
Jaguares have a game in hand and one of those is at home against the Lions. The Lions don't travel well to Argentina.
Cantab
Guest
Well done Jags. Lions still in the box seat to claim the conference. Big ask for the jags to go 2/2 in South Africa.
Pinetree
Guest
Interesting NB, I was thinking Ledesma might be in the running as Shop indicated might be a possibility with the form of the Jags, but that does appear to be a bit of a telling possible outcome with Quesada in Argentina...
Nobrain
Roar Guru
Well, Gonzalo Quesada was at the stadium. He came from France for a few days after cutting his contract short at Biarritz. Is this just coincidence ?
Nobrain
Roar Guru
Good crowd. More than 20.000 for sure.
Machpants
Roar Guru
Conference top in sight for the jags!
Shop
Guest
How was the crowd NB? I heard there were quite a few expected, perhaps a small consolation for the round ball result.
Shop
Guest
It’ll be interesting to see who takes over the Pumas. Ledesma clearly has the Jags running well but is it the time to push him to the international scene yet? It would be exactly what Cheika did.