Jaguares
39
Match Complete
Brumbies
7
| E. Boffelli |  | 77 | ||
| J. D. Bonilla |  | 63 | ||
| M. Orlando | | 62 | ||
| J. D. Bonilla | | 49 | ||
| M. Orlando | | 48 | ||
| 41 | | C. Lealiifano | ||
| 39 | | F. Fainga'a | ||
| J. D. Bonilla | | 19 | ||
| T. Lavanini | | 18 | ||
| J. D. Bonilla |  | 13 | ||
| J. D. Bonilla | | 7 | ||
| J. D. Bonilla | | 4 | ||
| T. Cubelli | | 3 |
| 5 | Tries | 1 | ||
| 4 | Conversions | 1 | ||
| 2 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
The Jaguares welcome the Brumbies to Buenos Aires in the year’s first Super Rugby semi-final. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog from 9:05am (AEST).
These two teams have, unsurprisingly, been in fantastic form and whatever the end result, fans from all over are in for a fantastic game. At stake is a place in the final and a shot at glory.
Back in Round 1 both these sides started off their 2019 campaigns at home and both of them started with losses. The Brumbies were turned over by the Rebels and the Jags went down to the Lions.
Nineteen rounds later and they have fantastic form to boast about. The Brumbies have won nine of their last ten matches while the Jags have won ten of their last 11.
Both boast forward packs jammed with internationals and both have shown they can score points from almost anywhere on the pitch. So it almost feels like the side which wins this morning is going to be the one that copes with the pressure and makes the most of the likely few errors the opposition make.
For the Brumbies, there is only one change as form number 8 Pete Samu makes way for Lachlan McCaffrey as a result of a hamstring injuriy Samu picked up in last week’s quarter-final win over the Sharks. The rest of the team is settled and will be wanting to celebrate Christian Leali’ifano’s 150th game for the side with a win.
The Jaguares, too, are in the position of only making one change as back rower Tomas Lezana comes in for Marcos Kremer.
While it’s certainly true that the Jaguares have some exciting attacking talent and pace in their backs, it’s the forwards who will be wanting to stamp their authority on this game from the first whistle. Against the Chiefs last week, their pack was dominated, especially at scrum time.
Against one of the best packs in the competition today, they are once going to find it very hard to gain the upper hand.
Prediction
There is so much to like about both these teams and any argument you come up with for one of them having an edge, you quickly come up with a counter in favour of the other side.
The home advantage will play a role, thanks to the vocal Buenos Aires crowd, and when I’m in doubt, I follow the fairytale.
Jaguares by 5.
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of this Super Rugby semi-final starting from 9:05am (AEST).
Game information
Venue: Estadio José Amalfitani, Buenos Aires
Kick-off: 9:05am (AEST)
TV: Live, Fox Sports
Betting: Jaguares $1.45, Brumbies $2.75
Teams
Jaguares
15 Emiliano Boffelli
14 Sebastian Cancelliere
13 Matias Orlando
12 Jeronimo de la Fuente (c)
11 Matias Moroni
10 Joaquin Diaz Bonilla
9 Tomas Cubelli
8 Javier Ortega Desio
7 Tomas Lezana
6 Pablo Matera
5 Tomas Lavanini
4 Guido Petti
3 Santiago Medrano
2 Agustin Creevy
1 Mayco Vivas
Replacements
16 Julian Montoya
17 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro
18 Enrique Pieretto
19 Marcos Kremer
20 Francisco Gorrissen
21 Felipe Ezcurra
22 Domingo Miotti
23 Ramiro Moyano
Brumbies
15 Tom Banks
14 Henry Speight
13 Tevita Kuridrani
12 Irae Simone
11 Toni Pulu
10 Christian Leali’ifano (c)
9 Joe Powell
8 Lachlan McCaffrey
7 Tom Cusack
6 Rob Valetini
5 Sam Carter
4 Rory Arnold
3 Allan Alaalatoa
2 Folau Fainga’a
1 Scott Sio
Replacements
16 Connal McInerney
17 James Slipper
18 Leslie Leuluaialii-Makin
19 Darcy Swain
20 Murray Douglas
21 Jahrome Brown
22 Matt Lucas
23 Tom Wright
Referee: Mike Fraser
Assistants: Glen Jackson and Federico Anselmi
TMO: Santiago Borsani
Form (last five games)
Jaguares – WWWWW
Brumbies – WWWWW
Lean
Guest
Jaguares already beat Canes in Wellington. Why do you say so? NZ stardom is about to collapse from the days to come.
Danny
Roar Pro
I’m well past the “let’s spread playoff games around to maximise revenue” argument. My guess is when the next media deals get done revenue loss will dwarf supposed losses from smaller NZ crowds. SANZAAR has dumped on its product, to put it crudely.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Yeah well all they needed was to not want to have three or quarters all in NZ, two semis and a final and since conferences began that wouldnt have been far off every year. Lots of lost revenue.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Canes certainly have the players, its more the areas of front five and outside backs and much stronger bench where the crusaders are spewing All Blacks/ AB hopefuls. For me Moody heads Mako V as the best loosehead and in the areas the Canes are strong the Saders have a very good matchup. canes have a few injuries, Saders none. Waaay up against it and very surprising if its even close.
Danny
Roar Pro
It is what it is tman and we knew that from the get go. But I reject the notion this comp structure is elite. And I reckon knowledgable rugby public are tiring of the artificiality of it. The best team should win, not the team that lucks into a weak conference and then gets a home ground final leg up. WR wanted the Argies in SANZAAR and then wanted the SWs in because RWC19. Good for WR, good for Arg, good for Japan but decidedly mixed for SANZAAR.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Bonilla vs Sanchez for the Pumas? I was super impressed with Sanchez’s form last year. Gone are the gimmicks and scraggly defensive efforts. Hes matured big time, has a solid defensive game and in the match vs the ABs was nothing short of spectacular. Bonilla has run the Jags superbly so Argie are in a great position at 10, especially when you compare to sides like oz, Wales, SA, England, France, who are all a bit lacking in terms of two class 10’s. These are the guys that could get Argie to last four or better at WCup time.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Thats true, on a points basis tonights match is the two top finishing teams from the rounds, made more impressive by the fact that the Canes played nz sides 8 times, 6 times vs qualifiers. Jags played 4, and 3. The other way to look at it is other sides other than the conference winners get a ‘chance’, even if things are slightly stacked against them. For me the conference winners should get the first home matches as the reward for topping conference, then, it falls to the place on the table in terms of points, meaning, next week a canes final would be in Wellington. But it is what it is.
Kashmir Pete
Roar Guru
Ralph, where are you, where are? Case of beer, case of beer (Yenda thanks) - I need to send you my forwarding address! Cheerfully (well not quite!) KP
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
Yes, it would be an upset if the Canes wins, but not a huge one (at least not for me). Finals footy can do funny things to even great teams and players. I have admitted I have a very soft spot for Jags for some time now. But hey, is that not a good thing? If they win the title, I will drop "Neutral" from my nickname ;)
Adsa
Roar Rookie
Congrats Nobes, hope you have a good weekend.
Connor33
Guest
And most of the exceptions seem to be in NZ, such is the land mass and conference.
Adsa
Roar Rookie
Well done Jags, tough result for the Ponies who played well during the season to get there.
Connor33
Guest
Agreed. FF cannot be the Wallabies hooker.
Danny
Roar Pro
Today added to the Brumbies legend. By no means the best Brumbies side I’ve seen still managed to add a qtr and semi final showing to a year that started disastrously and could have ended weeks ago. That’s class. Such a pity they’re in the wrong city. In the Crusader Blackadder years there was no silverware but always finals rugby. It’s how you keep the recruitment machine alive. Many of these Brumbies will play test rugby but few will bolt into a run-on spot. That’s not how things work anywhere, let alone Aus. I hope many will see some RC action given this year’s version will be typically experimental. Wallabies will be far better than Brumbies. Whether better than last year or good enough for silverware remains to be seen.
taylorman
Roar Guru
It would be a complete upset, something we well know can happen, but very little, now or previously suggests a canes win. But being rugby, the canes dont know that, and can turn them over if things go their way. Wishful thinking it is then. :-) Be good for a final in BA Ill have to admit. Great being a neutral huh?
taylorman
Roar Guru
Well done was probably the better option.
Nobrain
Roar Guru
Pretty crazy !!!! The whole stadium was like that sometimes during the game.
Ex force fan
Guest
Well done Jags. Very difficult to fly that far to win a final, however I think more will realise that you cannot make all the Brumbies Wallabies if they are so well beaten by Argentina.
Nobrain
Roar Guru
We will see, for now we still enjoying this season. Lots of rugby before next season starts.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Which ones? Don’t recall making many. Certainly got today’s one. ???? And I guess that means i shouldnt predict any more matches huh? Odd comment.