'When we face New Zealand teams we know that we do it as an equal'

Jaguares skipper Agustín Creevy is delighted his Super Rugby team has improved so quickly in a short space of time against New Zealand opposition.  

On the go in the tournament since 2016, the hooker lost his first seven encounters versus Kiwi teams. However, that run has since altered and he is now in Christchurch hoping to celebrate what would be the sixth win in his last eight matches against the country whose clubs the Jaguares benchmark themselves against. 

Many felt the Argentina franchise would be only making up the numbers for many years in the tournament, but they have now qualified for their first final in just their fourth season in operation and they have no fears in facing defending champions Crusaders who are gunning for a third consecutive title.

“Confronting the New Zealand franchises is special,” said Creevy. “They are the teams that we watched and followed when we started in this tournament. Today we are very happy to face them because we do it on an equal footing and we enter the field to beat them.

"You can win or lose, but today we are up to the teams of this country. When we face them we know that we do it as an equal. 

“That speaks of the growth of this team in the game and in its mentality. The New Zealand teams are always respected, but we do not see it [winning] as an impossibility. Finals are 50/50 and Saturday will be a great game.

"We knew that the opportunity to be in a Super Rugby final would come. Maybe, I thought we were going to take a little longer to achieve it and that's why I'm very grateful to be part of this great moment.

"We arrived here because there was a maturation of all those who made up Jaguares. Before we entered the field to see what happened and today we are aware that all the matches can be won.

“Each year we learned and matured. Last season we reached the quarter-finals, making an important breakthrough, and the big jump came this year. There are players who used to be boys and now they have grown up and they are the ones who lead the team. Everyone knows what their role is in the group.

"We grew in every way. This year there were many active players with our rotation and that allowed us to be all playing high-level matches. The star is the team.”

WATCH: Crusaders forward Matt Todd explains how the New Zealand team will cope with its injuries going into the Super Rugby final