Jaguares bring back Pumas core for Hurricanes

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: After benching a number of key players last week, Jaguares coach Gonzalo Quesada has reverted to a strong pack for this weekend’s match against the Hurricanes in Wellington.

The Jaguares did well to keep in touch with the Highlanders for most of their match, with their benched superstars coming on in the second half and almost earning them a first-ever win against the southerners.

This weekend the Jaguares have a second chance to make history as the men from Argentina have also never recorded a victory against the Hurricanes.

Four Argentinian internationals will revert from impact roles to the starting lineup. Agustin Creevy returns at hooker while Guido Petti and Tomas Lavanini are brought into the second row. Petti sat out the Hurricanes match altogether. Enforcer Pablo Matera also joins the starting lineup.

There’s also a shuffle at loosehead prop with Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro coming in to replace Mayco Vivas. Finally, Matera’s injection at 6 sees Juan Manuel Leguizamon shift to the openside in place of Tomas Lezana.

The only change in the backs sees Tomas Cubelli restored at scrumhalf. Cubelli was also used off the bench in last week’s fixture.

The Jaguares have been flying under the radar this year but are only one point off the top of the South African conference.

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