Naive Lions bitten twice by Jaguares in cat fight
It may have come early in the season this year, but there was a strong sense of deja-vu for the Lions this past weekend when they lost 36-24 to the Jaguares in Beunos Aires. Luckily it might not have a similar impact writes Trevor Cramer
One needed to just rewind to July 2016 when the Argentine side beat an under-strength Lions side 34-22 in the final match of last year's regular Super Rugby season.
That 17th round of action not only saw the Jaguares claim only their fourth win in their debut season, but also denied the Lions a chance of securing a home final.
Head coach Johan Ackermann's gamble to rest top players for the playoff's proved misguided as they were nudged out of top spot on the overall log by the Hurricanes, who consequently earned a shot at a home final.
And the rest is history -- Instead a final against the Hurricanes at the Wellington cake tin ended in defeat.
It may have seemed predominantly circumstantial at the time with Elton Jantjies unavailable due to the birth of his second child, Rohan Janse van Rensburg excused to attend the funeral of his mother and
Ruan Combrinck still recovering from a shoulder operation.
But Ackermann, who is a massive advocate of continuity in selection, also opted to leave Lionel Mapoe and Franco Mostert at home to rest.
Again the Lions travelling squad had an unfamiliar look about it, with no less than nine changes to the match day 23, including the untested Shaun Reynolds at flyhalf.
It proved to be a disjointed Lions performance in which too many balls were lost in contact, while their tactical kicking and decision-making wasn't up to scratch either and ended up playing on the back foot for much of the match.
Ill-discipline also cost the visitors and two players were sin-binned.
Surely Ackermann should have based his decision on the Jaguares showing on their trip to South Africa where they beat the Southern Kings in Port Elizabeth and gave the Stormers a fright at Newlands.
The Argentine side is loaded with Pumas Test players and developing very quickly into a formidable unit after their maiden season.
The Lions now find themselves having to regroup in a hurry following a long cross-continental trip from South America as they host the Reds at Ellis Park this coming weekend.
A big pat on the back is due to youngsters Jean-Luc du Preez (flank) and Curwin Bosch (replacement flyhalf) who starred in the Sharks' 37-14 win over the Waratahs in Durban.
Du Preez, son of head coach Robert du Preez, landed the Man of the Match award, ensuring a dominant forward display.
Bosch a former SA Schools and Junior Springbok star, underlined his class after injured captain Pat Lambie left the field early in the first half. He raked up a personal tally of 27 points.
The Stormers head the local pile following an easy 41-10 victory over the Kings and will enjoy a bye next week before a trip to Japan to face the Sunwolves, who showed some fight in going down 38-31 to the Cheetahs.
Southern Kings 41, DHL Stormers 10
Scorers
DHL Stormers: 41 - Tries: Dillyn Leyds, Bjorn Basson, Rynhardt Elstadt, Robert du Preez, Justin Philips and EW Viljoen; Conversions: Robert du Preez (2) and Kurt Coleman (2). Penalty: Robert du Preez.
Southern Kings: 10 - Try: Makozole Mapimpi; Conversion: Lionel Cronje; Penalty: Lionel Cronje.
Toyota Cheetahs 38, Sunwolves 31
Scorers
Toyota Cheetahs: 38 - Tries: Torsten van Jaarsveld, Oupa Mohoje, Clinton Swart, Rayno Benjamin. Conversions: Fred Zeilinga (4). Penalties: Zeilinga (4).
Sunwolves: 31 - Tries: Shota Emi, Hayden Cripps, Kenki Fukuoka (2). Conversions: Cripps (2), Jamie-Jerry Taulagi. Penalty: Cripps.
Cell C Sharks 37, NSW Waratahs 14
Scorers
Cell C Sharks: 37 - Tries: Tera Mtembu, Curwin Bosch and Kobus van Wyk; Conversions: Curwin Bosch (2); Penalties: Bosch (6).
Waratahs: 14 - Tries: Israel Folau (2); Conversions: Reece Robinson (2).
Jaguares 36, Emirates Lions 24
Scorers
Jaguares 36 - Tries: Joaquin Tuculet, Ramiro Moyano, Jeronimo De la Fuente, Nicolas Sanchez. Conversions: Sanchez (3). Penalties: Sanchez (3).
Emirates Lions 24 - Tries: Warren Whiteley (2), Jacques van Rooyen, Malcolm Marx Conversion: Shaun Reynolds, Jaco van der Walt.
Other Round 3 results:
Friday, 10 March:
Chiefs 26, Hurricanes 18;
Brumbies 23, Force 17;
Saturday, 11 March:
Reds 20, Crusaders 22;
Blues 12, Highlanders 16.