Jaguares plotting raid on Lions' den
SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: The Jaguares will arrive at Ellis Park on Saturday with a clear mission: Break the Johannesburg bogey.
The Argentinean franchise is determined to avenge their only defeat of the season, a 16-25 Round One loss to the Lions – the first time the Lions had won in Buenos Aires.
They then beat the Bulls (27-12) and Blues (23-19) to get their campaign back on track.
However, it is the loss in Week One and the fact that they have never won at Ellis Park that is driving the team’s motivation this week.
The Jaguares carried the ball 134 times, beat 16 defenders and made three clean breaks. Yet they scored just one try in the Buenos Aires game – coughing the ball up 22 times.
Jaguares wing Bautista Delguy said their finishing let them down badly in the February 16 outing.
“When we broke their defensive lines, we made too many handling errors – which cost us dearly,” 21-year-old Delguy said.
“That is why it’s going to be important that we score points every time we have opportunities on Saturday,” he added.
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The Jaguares will also look to end their Ellis Park drought – having lost on all four their previous visits to the Highveld venue – including a 23-40 loss in the quarterfinal last year.
“It is a big challenge to get our first win at this historic venue,” Delguy said.
He said it is part of their motivation and the build-up to Saturday’s Round Four outing.
Delguy added that the Jaguares will be looking to continue to improve the positive aspects of their game – which saw them beat the Bulls and Blues.
“It is very important to keep our defence working,” the wing said, adding: “We must improve our attack and be as clinical as we did in the last two games.”
He said the Lions will be determined to end their two-match losing streak – having lost (17-19) to the Stormers and (12-30) to the Bulls since their opening round win.
By Josh Isaacson
@isaacson_j
@rugby365com
