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Jaguares bring the firepower back for Super Rugby final
By Online Editors
The Jaguares resemble the Pumas even more closely after making three changes to their starting team for the Super Rugby final against the Crusaders in Christchurch.
Coach Gonzalo Quesada has leaned heavily on experience to topple the two-time defending champions in Christchurch on Sunday, with 11 of his starting team having been involved in Argentina's most recent Test, against Scotland last November.
The three new faces have played 101 Tests between them, bringing the cap tally in the Jaguares starting line-up to an imposing 617.
Prop Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, who boasts 50 Tests, replaces young loosehead Mayco Vivas while winger Ramiro Moyano (30 caps) and flanker Marcos Kremer (21 caps) demote Sebastian Cancelliere and Tomas Lezana to the bench.
Matias Moroni switches from the left wing to the right to cater for dangerous speedster Moyano.
The reserves have also been bolstered by the addition of 36-year-old forward Juan Manuel Leguizamon, who has played 85 Tests but only been fit enough to start four matches for the Jaguares this year.
Outside centre Matias Orlando said his team are hardened from enough big games to be able to handle the pressure of a final.
"We are here because it is what we wanted and what we dreamed and we do not want to miss this opportunity," he said through a translation.
"I do not know if we or they are better but on Saturday we play 80 minutes where we will define who is the best.
"All the experience that we add these years make us today very confident and we know that we have the ability to play as an equal to a team that everyone sees as a favourite."
The Jaguares have won 11 or their last 12 games in a breakthrough campaign although they haven't played the top qualifying Crusaders this season.
Jaguares: Emiliano Boffelli, Matias Moroni, Matias Orlando, Jeronimo de la Fuente (c), Ramiro Moyano, Joaquin Diaz Bonilla, Tomas Cubelli, Javier Ortega Desio, Ma rcos Kremer, Pablo Matera, Tomas Lavanini, Guido Petti, Santiago Medrano, Agustin Creevy, Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro. Reserves: Julian Montoya, Mayco Vivas, Enrique Pieretto, Juan Manuel Leguizamon, Tomas Lezana, Felipe Ezcurra, Domingo Miotti, Sebastian Cancelliere.
- AAP
Can the Jaguares triumph in Christchurch? Ali Williams and Mils Muliaina think so:
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Latest Comments
SH rugby is dying. To win, the teams have had to rely on the incompetence of the refs.
You had a good run, but hopefully world rugby gets better standards for refs and your slide to irrelevance will be quick and justified.
Go to commentsI dont believe Skelton has ever proven himself at test level tho Nick. Yep he played well against a side they scored plenty against but his record v the top sides isnt special. Good quality player but Im not as convinced about him as you seem to be, as you base most of your opinion on his local club stuff not really his test performances. His test record of 30 tests in 10 years explains itself very well. I think he is an honest performer but certainly not a top notch International player.
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