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Hurricanes overcome sluggish start to top Jaguares
By Sam Warlow
The Hurricanes have overcome a sluggish start to beat the Jaguares in Argentina and claim their first victory of the season.
After being upset by the Bulls last week in Pretoria, the Wellington franchise have rebounded with a 34-9 bonus point win at José Amalfitani Stadium.
A scrappy first half saw teams head to the sheds with a 12-6 scoreline in favour of the Hurricanes.
Wing Ben Lam opened the visitors' account with a try under the posts in the ninth minute, and blockbusting centre Ngani Laumape - last year's leading try scorer - added another score 10 minutes before halftime.
The boot of Nicolas Sanchez kept the Jaguares within reach as he slotted two penalties during the first spell.
The home side closed the gap to three points after another Sanchez penalty to open the second half.
The game finally opened up in the last 30, with the Hurricanes crossing for three more tries through Matt Proctor and reserves Vince Aso and Blade Thomson.
Mario Ledesma's men failed to cross the line despite coming achingly close on several occasions, only for unforced errors to defuse their chances.
The play of the game was a back-handed Blade Thomson bullet pass to prop Alex Fidow, who returned the favour as Thomson crossed for a spectacular try.
Inaccuracy was a theme for both sides, as the Jaguares and Hurricanes conceded 11 and 15 penalties respectively. The Jaguares only made good on 70% of their tackle attempts, not far behind the Hurricanes who converted on 81%.
The Hurricanes are now tasked with taking on the Crusaders for their home opener next weekend, while the Jaguares will take on the Waratahs in Buenos Aires.
HURRICANES 34 (Lam, Laumape, Proctor, Aso, Thomson tries, B. Barrett 3 con, Garden-Bachop pen) JAGUARES 9 (Sanchez 3 pen) HT 12-6
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You are not right, I don't know any other way to say it.
I understand you'd like to believe that the SA D system has found been somehow 'found out' and its weaknesses exposed.
It suits your agenda that it is only a matter of time before the ABs reclaim their rightful spot at the head of the world game [in all aspects].
It warps your judgment but I say, that's okay.😁
Go to commentsCL Ben targets you guys but never shows the respect you deserve because he gets paid for it! 🥲 True AB supporters will show our support always because of the incredible longevity of our mutual rugby history together as Jen alludes to below. I fondly remember hours spent in early mornings shared with Dad and my brothers in the middle of last century nothing with more than a crackling radio to share commentaries from Jo'burg or Capetown say the same as you guys would do when you Boks came to NZ on long tours with vivid memories without visuals on TV either ...WIN OR LOSE! 😍 but still keeping scores lol that's where respect was born! 😎
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