The Lions will host the traveling Jaguares in the fourth and last quarter-final of the 2018 Super Rugby competition in Johannesburg. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 11:05pm (AEST).
These two have had some great clashes over the past few years and never one with such high stakes
The Lions are looking to reach their third consecutive semi-final and, with home advantage and the better form, will really fancy their chances. Given their relatively poorer performance this season, a semi-final would be a good achievement.
The team from Johannesburg haven’t reached the same levels of previous seasons and have had to fight very hard against an impressive Jaguares team to claim the No. 1 spot in the South African conference. But claim it they did, and they will look to key players Elton Jantjies and Malcolm Marx to have big games against the Argentinians.
Marx especially will want to stamp his authority on a Jaguares pack that has caused many sides real problems this year.
For Jantjies, he might be feeling his future is more about potential success in Super Rugby rather than success at Springbok level. He’s never really been able to make the ‘Boks No. 10 shirt his own despite impressive club form and, in the third test against England back in June, he again failed to live up to expectations.
This, however, could make him even more dangerous for the Jaguares defence as he’ll be wanting to bounce back with a class performance in this knockout game.
The Jaguares have had their best season by far this year in Super Rugby and have picked up a number of good wins.
Weirdly, the Pumas have not replicated this form which is very strange as they are basically the Jags in different shirts – but that’s another article.
In this match, coach Mario Ledesma is bringing back a number of players who he rested last week. While this meant that the teams’ overall momentum stumbled a bit with a loss last week, it will be interesting to see if this rest gives some key players the extra bit of energy they need at the end of a hard season.
Prediction
The Jaguares have not been able to win on South African soil this season, so it will take a great effort from them to get themselves into their first ever semi final. The Lions are the bookies favorites but there’s an upset in the thinner air of Ellis Park.
Jaguares by 3
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 11:05pm (AEST) on Saturday.
EMS Delpogetto
Guest
I would like to create a comment that goes around enoughly to be heard in Pumas. It can be unbelievable how little things are so important. I`m a `tv trainer´ but maybe in this case I could dicover what its hidden about pumas scrum, so its game, and final result. Agustin Creevy has no body, and weight to be Hooker, he should return to winger, scrum winger. Thanks for the cooperation, for Pumas and rugby competence. Good luck in Japan to everybody/team.
Baylion
Roar Rookie
I thought Peyper reffed a relatively good game on the day. However, not having neutral refs deflects from the games and the players. Hopefully the semis and final will have neutral refs.
You missed a goodgame. You should watch it.
Cliff Bishkek
Roar Rookie
And Corne - well done to the Lions!! I think they should handle the Tahs well next week. But Jantes needs to be near his best.
Cliff Bishkek
Roar Rookie
Corne, you well know that is not the issue. But as I said above, the issue can be "struck dead" through good management by selecting home side / home ground / home country referees to officiate. A simple sound idea and it all goes away.
Cliff Bishkek
Roar Rookie
Correct, as good teams take the referee out of the equation. But good management from the top (WR, SANZAAR and RA - never happens) could easily take this out of the equation. Simply appoint neutral referees!! This the negates all complaints of bias!!
So the Lions deserve no credit?
adastra32
Guest
Whether a ref has a good or bad day, an international competition without neutral officiating is naïve.
jg
Guest
perfect...
JG
Guest
jaco p. 40 jags 23
KJP
Guest
You must be referring to Marx as he was the only one winning turn overs for the Lions. If this is the case he supports his body weight every time and it is never a ruck as he is the first player in. I guess Marx must be the new Mccaw, he is so good the refs must be cheating no player can be that good.
Pixies
Roar Rookie
I agree with everything you say but explain why we needed to have a Sth African ref in a quarter final, even if it just looks bad?o
Pixies
Roar Rookie
I agree with everything you say but explain why we needed to have a Sth African ref in a quarter final, even if it just looks bad?
Rucking Fun
Guest
I’ve seen people complaining about the refereeing in the Crusaders vs Sharks game, the Waratahs vs Highlanders game and now th lions vs Jaguares. Strangely enough the home team with the home referee won all three of these. Isn’t the solution simple, that there should be independent refs for the playoffs so we can avoid this rubbish and focus on the actual games?
Pixies
Roar Rookie
Everything else aside, you still have to call a spade a Sth African that can come over the top of a ruck at liberty without any body support except for the ref, a spade... why are we still allowing even the perception of bias with a home ref?! Is this lack of personnel or a deficiency in management?
Pixies
Roar Rookie
Thanks Oli, not sure why my original props didn’t get through
Pixies
Roar Rookie
So the Tahs have to travel? I’m still undecided whether that’s better than the Jaguares at home? Lions very opportunistic tonight, the middle was messy, which pretty much sums up the Waratahs season?! Poor in the mids, Lions by plenty at altitude... but muscle up and this team leaks plenty of points! Latu has to start; if Marks is out, that’s worth about 10 points...!
Pixies
Roar Rookie
Thanks for the blog, Oliver
Bondio
Roar Rookie
It really seems impossible when the game get close and for 15 minutes all the small penalties only goes one way. Let's just say that Jaco P. goes this way unintentionally, but why expose him, and the tournament that way? Jaguares been playing 'againts' Jaco for a while... I think they have never won... :-)
KJP
Guest
Rubbish. Let me guess the Sharks / Crusaders game was a good example of good refereeing. I am so tired of ref bashing from keyboard warriors. Refs have good and bad days, if you can't win based on one or two decisions not going your way, you are not good enough. I think Jaco had a very good game, the only questionable decision would be the throw in at the end (but I have seen a lot worse let go). The Lions and the Crusaders are the real deal and dominated were it counted.