Crusaders triumph over Jaguares

The Crusaders have maintained their perfect record against the Jaguares with a 40-14 win in Buenos Aires.

The win places the Crusaders at the top of the New Zealand conference after eight weeks of competition.

The hosts were held scoreless in the first half, while left winger George Bridge had a double for the visitors within fifteen minutes.

Manasa Mataele dotted down from the right wing before halftime to give his side a 19-0 lead at the break.

The Jaguares struck shortly after the start of the second spell, with fullback Joaquin Tuculet opening the scoring for his side.

However, the score was quickly negated as Crusaders flyhalf Mitch Hunt crossed just five minutes later.

The two teams traded blows with Emiliano Boffelli and Ryan Crotty scoring, before Manasa Mataele bagged his double and sealed the win with a 68th minute try.

Once again a failure to secure the ball let the Jaguares down, as the Crusaders forced the Argentinian side into conceding 22 turnovers.

Mitch Hunt was the high point man, finishing with 13 after scoring a try and kicking four conversions.

The Crusaders wingers outscored the Jaguares by themselves as they combined for four tries, 20 points and 193 running metres.

Our road trip is wrapped up with a 40-14 win over the @JaguaresARG ???? We’re coming home for Bye Week before taking on the @sunwolves in two weeks time ? at https://t.co/DZRrjZOI0g #JAGvCRU #wewill #crusadeon ? https://t.co/6V2PlIawrB pic.twitter.com/H15YnGDoiq

— Crusaders (@crusadersrugby) April 7, 2018

Scott Robertson’s men are now rewarded with a week off, while Mario Ledesma’s Jaguares will travel for just the second time this season, heading to Melbourne to take on the Australian conference-leading Rebels.

CRUSADERS 40 (Bridge 2, Mataele 2, Hunt, Crotty tries; Hunt 4 cons, Delany con) JAGUARES 14 (Tuculet, Boffelli tries; Sanchez 2 cons) HT 19-0