Clinical Jaguares hand Reds a harsh lesson

The Jaguares beat the Reds 34-23 in a Super Rugby arm-wrestle at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane.

Santiago Carreras grabbed a brace, bookending his team’s victory with his side’s first and last try, as Gonzalo Quesada’s charges outscored Queensland five tries to two.

Jock Campbell scored a 78th-minute try to bring the scores to within six points, but Samu Kerevi was intercepted by the sensational Carreras to kill the game at the death.

The 21-year-old playmaker’s second-try sealed an important win and bonus-point for the tourists before they go back to Buenos Aires.

The Jaguares‘ win makes it five from their last six away games and they remain unbeaten in Australia.

The victory makes it six wins in a row in Australia and seven wins from their previous seven matches.

They stay top of the South African Conference with two games to play before the playoffs are decided.

Jaguares play catch-up as Reds start well

Los Jaguares took a slender two-point halftime lead after maiden Super Rugby tries from Carreras and Felipe Ezcurra cancelled out Chris Feauai-Sautia’s 14th-minute score.

Kerevi broke a tackle and burst into the opposition’s 22.

Agustin Creevy’s weak tackle allowed the centre to race towards the cover defender before playing his partner Feauai-Sautia under the posts.

Super Rugby Video Highlights, Round 16: Reds versus Jaguares, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Carreras scored on 24 minutes thanks to some fancy footwork to keep the ball in play after Juan Cruz Mallia’s grubber in behind the opposition’s back three.

The attack started when the Reds fluffed their lineout inside their half, and the ball was snapped up by the South Americans.

Felipe Ezcurra threw a dummy and darted through Taniela Tupou’s tackle to score his side’s next five-pointer.

Daiz Bonilla’s magical no-look over-the-shoulder inside pass to Mallia, was glorious, setting up the score.

Bryce Hegarty, playing fullback, kicked a penalty on the stroke of halftime and six minutes after the restart, to put Queensland back in front.

Jaguares take control and the lead

Some big defending by Los Jaguares kept them the Reds out before taking the lead, four minutes later.

Julian Montoya crashed over from close range after a 16-phase attack to regain the lead for the Jaguares in the 55th-minute.

The Argentinians had a couple of chances to increase their advantage, but the Reds stood firm.

Brad Thorn’s men started to get a grip back on proceedings, but some poor handling, kicking and errant decisions hampered the Brisbane outfit.

Liam Wright made three crucial turnovers to stop the South American’s from killing the match.

But the visitors’ forwards were dominating possession, territory, and winning the tight-phase battles.

Scrum and lineout driving maul penalties increased, and so did the pressure on the Reds‘ pack.

They leaked penalties.

With 10 minutes remaining, the Jaguares won a scrum penalty.

They kicked to the corner and set up a driving maul.

The ball was recycled quickly to Marcos Kremer, who bashed through Kerevi’s tackle to extend the lead.

Diaz Bonilla’s third conversion pushed the lead to 13 meaning the Reds needed two goals to win the contest.

It is easily said than done

Campbell scored his second Super Rugby try in the corner with less than three minutes remaining and Hegarty slotted the sideline kick to give the Reds hope.

The try was referred to the TMO, who allowed the score to stand despite the replay showing the wing did not have control when grounding.

The ball looked to fall forward out of Campbell’s hand, but the try was given.

But the man who lives his life in hope will die in despair.

The Reds tried a final attack, but Carreras intercepted Kerevi.

He raced 75 metres down the touchline to seal the deal.

Final Score: Reds 23 (13) Jaguares 34 (15)

Scorers

Reds
Tries – Feauai-Sautia, Campbell
Pen – Hegarty (2)
Con – Hegarty (2)
Drop –
Cards –

Jaguares
Tries – Carreras (2), Ezcurra, Montoya, Kremer
Pen – Diaz Bonilla
Con – Diaz Bonilla (3)
Drop –
Cards –

Match Officials
Referee: Jaco Peyper
Assistant Ref 1: Egon Seconds
Assistant Ref 2: Paul Williams
TMO: James Leckie

Teams

Reds

15 Bryce Hegarty, 14 Jock Campbell, 13 Chris Feauai-Sautia, 12 Samu Kerevi (captain), 11 Filipo Daugunu, 10 Matt McGahan, 9 Tate McDermott, 8 Scott Higginbotham, 7 Liam Wright, 6 Angus Scott-Young, 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 4 Angus Blyth, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 1 JP Smith

Replacements: 16 Alex Mafi, 17 Ruan Smith, 18 Gav Luka, 19 Harry Hockings, 20 Adam Korczyk, 21 Scott Malolua, 22 Duncan Paia’aua, 23 Hamish Stewart

Jaguares

15 Juan Cruz Mallia, 14 Santiago Carreras, 13 Matias Moroni, 12 Matias Orlando (captain), 11 Ramiro Moyano, 10 Joaquin Diaz Bonilla, 9 Felipe Ezcurra, 8 Javier Ortega Desio, 7 Tomas Lezana, 6 Guido Petti, 5 Tomas Lavanini, 4 Lucas Paulos, 3 Lucio Sordoni, 2 Agustin Creevy, 1 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro.

Replacements: 16 Julian Montoya, 17 Mayco Vivas, 18 Enrique Pieretto, 19 Marcos Kremer, 20 Juan Manuel Leguizamon , 21 Pablo Matera, 22 Tomas Cubelli, 23 Jeronimo De La Fuente.