Jaguares lose Leguizamón from squad for Lions
In the wake of their 14-29 loss to the Stormers in their first pre-season outing at Newlands last week, Jaguares coach Raúl Pérez called up Joaquín Paz – who scored four tries for the Argentina XV in their Americas Championship encounter with Chile.
However, six other players travelled in the other direction across the Atlantic Ocean – Leguizamón, Gabriel Ascárate, Tomás Lezana Tomás Carrió, Cristian Bartoloni, Ignacio Larrague and Santiago Iglesias Valdez.
They have reduced their squad to 27 players ahead of their second and last pre-season encounter – with the Lions in Johannesburg on Friday.
The Jaguares will make their debut in Super Rugby when they face the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein next Friday, February 26.
The departure of Leguizamón, who is to become a father for the second time soon, is a big loss to the Super Rugby newcomers – as the 32-year-old has plenty of experience, 65 Test caps and two World Cups.
The Jaguares has since relocated from Cape Town to Johannesburg to prepare for this week's encounter with the Lions – who themselves are coming off a loss in their opening pre-season outing.
Captain Agustin Creevy was not very pleased with the team's first outing, admitting hard work awaits ahead of their Super Rugby debut.
"We will be in better shape [against the Lions] on Friday," Creevy said, adding that training this week has been a lot "better".
"This week we should be able to achieve the goals we have set for ourselves.
"Our performance against the Stormers was not what we wanted.
""There were some good things, but I'm a little critical and I would like us to do better.
"It was the first game of the year, but it's no excuse. We need to continue to improve a lot."
He said this week they will look to display their attacking skills more, get a much needed victory and find their rhythm.
He added that they are relishing the opportunity to test themselves in the competition – outside internationals – in the world.
Jaguares squad: Joaquín Tuculet, Matías Orlando, Matías Moroni, Jerónimo De la Fuente, Santiago Cordero, Nicolás Sánchez, Martín Landajo, Facundo Isa, Tomas Lavanini, Matías Alemanno, Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, Agustín Creevy (captain), Santiago García Botta, Julian Montoya, Lucas Noguera Paz, Felipe Arregui, Felipe Ezcurra, Santiago González Iglesias, Rodrigo Baez, Emiliano Boffelli, Gonzalo Bertranou, Javier Ortega Desio, Leonardo Senatore, Pablo Matera, Guido Petti, Ramiro Herrera, Joaquín Paz.
