Share

Jaguares trample Brumbies to reach maiden Super Rugby final

Buenos Aires - Matias Orlando scored twice and Joaquin Diaz Bonilla kicked 14 points as the Jaguares routed the Brumbies 39-7 to reach their first Super Rugby final.

The South Americans scored 20 unanswered points within 20 minutes of the semi-final in Buenos Aires, led 20-7 at half-time and added three more tries during the second half.

Entering the semi-final after six straight victories, the Jaguares reacted to a 30 000 singing, clapping crowd by winning far more comfortably than expected.

Despite the long flight across the Pacific, the Brumbies were hopeful of making it to the final for a fourth time having won seven consecutive matches to reach the penultimate stage.

But they struggled in the lineouts and held an advantage only at the scrums, where they won several penalties and shoved the South Americans back several times.      

Competing in Super Rugby for only the fourth season, the Jaguares will face the Crusaders or the Hurricanes, who meet on Saturday, in the final next weekend.

If the Crusaders justify their season-long role of title favourites, they will stage the final in Christchurch while victory for the Hurricanes would mean Buenos Aires plays hosts.

Whoever emerges as champions, the Jaguares have been the story of the season, developing from a team that won only four of 15 matches three seasons ago to reaching the title decider.     

"This is a dream come true," said Jaguares and Argentina lock Guido Petti. "We have come a long way since a disappointing first season not too long ago. 

"Each year we have improved and now we are in the final. We are looking forward to playing the Crusaders or the Hurricanes. 

"It would be wonderful to have the final here at our home ground in front of such passionate supporters, but we will not fear travelling to New Zealand." 

Brumbies skipper and flyhalf Christian Lealiifano, one of several in the Canberra team making a final appearance before joining other clubs, said it was "a sad day".

"I am really disappointed with the result, but the Jaguares were very good and put a lot of pressure on us which, inevitably, resulted in mistakes.

"I am leaving the Brumbies now, but my heart will be with this club forever. I have had wonderful times here."

The Jaguares were on the front foot from the start and led after only five minutes when a Toni Pulu blunder enabled former Brumbie Tomas Cubelli to score and Bonilla converted.

A couple of Bonilla penalties stretched the lead to 13 points before Tomas Lavanini barged over following a line-out and Bonilla converted for a 20-0 advantage.

Although they continued to dominate possession and territory, the Jaguares did not score again before half-time and the Brumbies' first visit to the Argentine 22 proved profitable. 

After sustained pressure, Folau Fainga'a went over for his 12th try this season - a remarkable feat for a hooker and bettered only by Crusaders winger Sevu Reece with 13.

Brumbies needed to score first in the second half to have a realistic chance of clawing back into the game, but could not unlock a superb Jaguares defence.

Instead, Orlando (twice) and Emiliano Boffelli scored tries, two of which Bonilla converted to the joy of the biggest crowd to watch the Jaguares this season.

Scorers:

Jaguares

Tries - Tomas Cubelli, Tomas Lavanini, Matias Orlando (2), Emiliano Boffelli

Conversions: Joaquin Diaz Bonilla (4)

Penalties: Bonilla (2)

Brumbies

Try: Folau Fainga'a

Conversion: Christian Lealiifano

Teams:

Jaguares

15 Emiliano Boffelli, 14 Sebastian Cancelliere, 13 Matias Orlando, 12 Jeronimo de la Fuente (captain), 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

Substitutes: 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 (captain), 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

Substitutes: 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

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
25% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1473 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2252 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE