Jaguares bring the firepower back for Super Rugby final

The Jaguares resemble the Pumas even more closely after making three changes to their starting team for the Super Rugby final against the Crusaders in Christchurch.

Coach Gonzalo Quesada has leaned heavily on experience to topple the two-time defending champions in Christchurch on Sunday, with 11 of his starting team having been involved in Argentina’s most recent Test, against Scotland last November.

The three new faces have played 101 Tests between them, bringing the cap tally in the Jaguares starting line-up to an imposing 617.

Prop Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, who boasts 50 Tests, replaces young loosehead Mayco Vivas while winger Ramiro Moyano (30 caps) and flanker Marcos Kremer (21 caps) demote Sebastian Cancelliere and Tomas Lezana to the bench.

Matias Moroni switches from the left wing to the right to cater for dangerous speedster Moyano.

The reserves have also been bolstered by the addition of 36-year-old forward Juan Manuel Leguizamon, who has played 85 Tests but only been fit enough to start four matches for the Jaguares this year.

Outside centre Matias Orlando said his team are hardened from enough big games to be able to handle the pressure of a final.

“We are here because it is what we wanted and what we dreamed and we do not want to miss this opportunity,” he said through a translation.

“I do not know if we or they are better but on Saturday we play 80 minutes where we will define who is the best.

“All the experience that we add these years make us today very confident and we know that we have the ability to play as an equal to a team that everyone sees as a favourite.”

The Jaguares have won 11 or their last 12 games in a breakthrough campaign although they haven’t played the top qualifying Crusaders this season.

Jaguares: Emiliano Boffelli, Matias Moroni, Matias Orlando, Jeronimo de la Fuente (c), Ramiro Moyano, Joaquin Diaz Bonilla, Tomas Cubelli, Javier Ortega Desio, Ma rcos Kremer, Pablo Matera, Tomas Lavanini, Guido Petti, Santiago Medrano, Agustin Creevy, Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro. Reserves: Julian Montoya, Mayco Vivas, Enrique Pieretto, Juan Manuel Leguizamon, Tomas Lezana, Felipe Ezcurra, Domingo Miotti, Sebastian Cancelliere.

– AAP

Can the Jaguares triumph in Christchurch? Ali Williams and Mils Muliaina think so: