Argentina’s Jaguares notched up their second win in Super Rugby and first at home with an 11-try romp for a 73-27 win over South Africa’s Kings at Velez Sarsfield on Saturday.
Pumas No. 8 Leonardo Senatore led the way with a hat-trick of tries, as the Jaguares celebrated their return home from a defeat to the Sunwolves in Tokyo by snapping a seven-match losing streak in some style.
“It was a good win. We have had a few bad games recently, so we had to play some good rugby,” said captain Martin Landajo, who was one of nine try scorers for the hosts. “We did it here at home so we are happy, but this is a long tournament so we need to keep improving.”
Photo: AFP
Centre Juan Martin Hernandez’s fine first-minute try set the tone for a blistering opening quarter from the Jaguares when he followed up his chip over the defense to score in the corner.
Four tries in 18 minutes left the Port Elizabeth-based Kings shell-shocked, with six before the break giving the Puma-laden home side a 40-15 halftime lead.
Flyhalf Elgar Watts kicked a penalty, while tries by flanker Chris Cloete and center Stefan Watermayer off an interception kept the visitors’ tails up.
However, the dominant Jaguares maintained their scoring rhythm in the second half and their superior handling skills at speed helped them to five more tries to the joy of a passionate home crowd of about 12,000.
Flyhalf Nicolas Sanchez finished with a personal tally of 23 points from nine conversions and a try after a brilliant performance in which he orchestrated the attack with aplomb and set up two other scores.
The Kings, who returned to Super Rugby this season after one previous campaign in 2013, had second-half tries from flanker Thembelani Bholi and lock Steven Sykes, but they only served to make the scoreline more respectable.
STORMERS 30, WARATAHS 32
Flank Michael Hooper scored the game-winning try two minutes from the end as the New South Wales Waratahs snatched victory against the 14-man Stormers at Newlands in Cape Town.
The Waratahs shoved the home side off their own ball at a scrum five meters out and Hooper burrowed over under the posts as they took advantage of their numerical supremacy following a red card for winger Leolin Zas 25 minutes from the end of the match.
Their other tries came from centers Kurtley Beale and Israel Folau as well as winger Rob Horne, while lock Peter-Steph du Toit got two for the hosts after one from loose-forward Schalk Burger.
LIONS 17, HURRICANES 50
The Hurricanes ran in seven tries as they brushed aside South Africa’s shell-shocked Lions to earn a bonus-point victory at Ellis Park.
For the New Zealander visitors, wingers Cory Jane and Julian Savea crossed for two tries each to go with further scores for centers Matt Proctor and Vince Aso, and a fine solo effort from prop Reggie Goodes.
The Lions were never in the contest, but did manage three tries through hooker Armand van der Merwe, center Lionel Mapoe and flanker Jaco Kriel.
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