Jaguares spoil Lions’ party

Manuel Montero of the Jaguares is confronted by Cyle Brink of the Lions during the two side's showdown in Buenos Aires. The Lions suffered a shock 34-22 loss. Photo: DAVID FERNANDEZ

Manuel Montero of the Jaguares is confronted by Cyle Brink of the Lions during the two side's showdown in Buenos Aires. The Lions suffered a shock 34-22 loss. Photo: DAVID FERNANDEZ

Published Jul 17, 2016

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Buenos Aires – The Lions failed to finish top of the 2016 Super Rugby standings after going down 34-22 to the Jaguares at the Estadio Jose Amalfitani in Argentina on Saturday night.

The Johannesburg team, who enjoyed a 15-12 lead at the break, needed a single point from the match to finish top of the log and secure a home quarter-final against the Sharks. However, they will now take on the Crusaders on Saturday at Ellis Park in the last eight, and will not be guaranteed a home semi-final and final.

Lions coach Johan Ackermann gambled by changing his whole starting line-up for the trip Argentina to try to keep his side fresh for the knockout stage. And that move seemed to work when they enjoyed a top first half against the Jaguares.

The Lions opened the scoring in the fourth minute when flyhalf Jaco Van der Walt slotted a penalty. But the Jaguares hit back with three points of their own when No 10 Nicolas Sanchez kicked a penalty.

The Lions took a 10-3 lead in the 13th minute when Anthony Volmink scored the first try of the match following a great break by scrumhalf and captain Ross Cronje.

Sanchez, though, kept the scoreboard ticking for the Jaguares and slotted two more penalties from the kicking tee. But the Lions would extend their lead when fullback Sylvian Mahuza dotted down in the 27th minute.

Sanchez then kicked another penalty before halftime to make it a three-point game ahead of the second half. But Volmink scored his second try of the match two minutes after the break to give the Lions a great chance to earn that top spot.

However, the visitors’ wheels came off later in the second half. The home side was dominating the collisions and scrums and the Lions conceded a plethora of penalties in the last 30 minutes of the match.

Impressive No 8 Facundo Isa scored for the Jaguares in the 49th minute, before the home side were awarded a penalty try eight minutes later after the Lions’ scrum disintegrated on their own line.

Sanchez then added another penalty, before Matias Alemanno scored a try from close range to give the Jaguares only their fourth win of the campaign in their debut Super Rugby season.

Scorers

Jaguares: Tries: Facundo Isa, penalty try, Matias Alemanno. Conversions: Nicholas Sanchez (2). Penalties: Sanchez (5).

Lions: Tries: Anthony Volmink (2), Sylvian Mahuza. Conversion: Jaco van der Walt. Penalty: Van der Walt.

– ANA

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