Jaguares claim historic win, Reds tame Lions and Crusaders go top

The Jaguares produced a second-half fightback to claim a historic 20-13 Super Rugby win over the beleaguered Blues, while the Reds shocked the Lions and the Crusaders defeated the Brumbies to go top of the overall standings on Saturday.

Argentine side the Jaguares had never beaten a New Zealand franchise before arriving at Eden Park, but piled more misery on the Blues on a wet and windy day in Auckland.

Blues chief executive Michael Redman this week gave a strong hint that Tana Umaga will be given a new deal, but the under-fire head coach’s position will be called into question following yet another defeat.

The Jaguares trailed 13-5 at the break in a contest played in torrential rain, Tumua Manu and Matt Duffie going over for the home side after Agustin Creevy’s early try for the visitors.

Blues fans were in for more disappointment following the interval, though, as Emiliano Boffelli and Tomas Lezana crossed the whitewash before Nico Sanchez was on target with a penalty 12 minutes from time as Mario Ledesma’s men claimed a third consecutive win on the road. 

FULL-TIME: #SuperRugby Week #11@jaguares make it three from three on road and get first ever win in NZ beating @BluesRugbyTeam 20-13 #BLUvJAG
Match details: https://t.co/x2n842UQ49 pic.twitter.com/UkWIqeztr5

— Super Rugby Pacific (@SuperRugby) April 28, 2018

The Reds ended a four-match losing streak at Suncorp Stadium, dominating the first half to set up a 27-22 victory.

Jean-Pierre Smith, Caleb Timu, Brandon Paenga-Amosa and George Smith touched down as the Reds ran riot to open up a 24-0 lead at the break.

The Lions roared back in the second half with doubles from Malcolm Marx and Marnus Schoeman, but the South African Conference leaders’ run of six consecutive wins in Australia came to an end in Brisbane.

Defending champions the Crusaders have now won five in a row following a 21-8 success over the Brumbies which moved them above the Hurricanes, Manasa Mataele claiming a double after coming in to replace Israel Dagg, who left the field suffering from concussion.