Auckland - Flyhalf Ihaia West survived a crunching Tomas Lavanini tackle and scored 19 points as the Auckland Blues came through an early test of their defence to hand Argentina's Jaguares a defeat in their first match in New Zealand.
The Blues struggled to get their attack going and trailed to two Santiago Gonzalez Iglesias penalties before tries from loose forward Steven Luatua and West in the last nine minutes of the first half gave them a 15-6 lead at the break.
Gonzalez Iglesias reduced the deficit with his third penalty six minutes into the second half but West responded with his second, third and fourth which proved enough for victory despite replacement scrumhalf Gonzalo Bertranou's try for the visitors.
Reuters