Jaguares defeat Waratahs to extend lead against Bulls

Argentina’s Jaguares have opened up a four-point lead over the Bulls at the top of the South African Super Rugby conference. The Jaguares defeated the Waratahs 23-15 at the Allianz Stadium in Sydney.

The Jaguares, fielding almost a full strength Argentina Test side, dominated the possession and territory in the first half, but were only rewarded with winger Ramiro Moyano’s (Moshano) 26th minute converted try and a 39th-minute penalty from flyhalf Domingo Miotti.

Nevertheless, it was the visitors who went into the break the happier of the two teams leading 10-3.

The South Americans extended their lead early in the second-half as Moyano got past Curtley Beale for his second five points of the match. The Tahs battled back with two tries of their own to reduce the deficit somewhat, but in the end, it was the two late penalties off the boot of replacement flyhalf Joaquin Diaz Bonilla (Bonisha), that was the difference as the Jaguares notched up their sixth win in seven outings.

Now second to only the Crusaders on the combined log, this victory also sees them extend their lead over the Bulls in the South African conference to four points.

Waratahs v Jaguares | Super Rugby 2019 Rd 15 Highlights
The @JaguaresARG remain top of the South African conference with a 23-15 win over the @NSWWaratahs in Sydney, leaving the home side’s finals hopes in serious doubt.#SuperRugby #WARvJAB pic.twitter.com/W3XK6hDV2l

— Super Rugby (@SuperRugby) May 25, 2019

Staying with the South African conference, the Stormers recorded a 34-22 victory over the Highlanders in Cape Town. Tries from scrum half Herschel Jantjies and captain Siya Kolisi saw the home-side go in the interval with a healthy 14-point cushion, leading 17-3 at the break.

They maintained the pressure on their opponents in the second stanza, again scoring two more tries. The tourists responded with their consolation third try in the dying minutes of the match, but it was too little too late as the Stormers held on for a comprehensive win.

The @DHLStormers secure a solid 34-22 home victory in Cape Town, the @Highlanders scoring a last minute try in a gutsy performance to the end.#SuperRugby #STOvHIG pic.twitter.com/B8Tsqf5gKK

— Super Rugby (@SuperRugby) May 25, 2019

In Christchurch, tournament leaders the Crusaders held off the Blues to reassert their dominance at the top of the table. It wasn’t the most exciting game for a Kiwi derby as both sides crossed the whitewash just once. The 19-11 victory however, sees the Saders open up a 13-point lead over the Hurricanes, with two games in hand.

Crusaders v Blues | Super Rugby 2019 Rd 15 Highlights
A gritty encounter in Christchurch has seen the @crusadersrugby edge out the @BluesRugbyTeam 19-11 and strengthen their standing at the top of the New Zealand conference.#SuperRugby #CRUvBLU pic.twitter.com/WKmINMucMa

— Super Rugby (@SuperRugby) May 25, 2019

Earlier, the Rebels trounced the Sunwolves by 52 points to seven in Tokyo. The Aussie outfit dominated the line out and scrum as Marika Koroibete and Jack Maddocks ran in two tries apiece to record their highest score in Super Rugby. The bonus-point victory, their seventh of the season, saw them improve to 33 points, one behind the Brumbies, with three games in hand.

Sunwolves v Rebels | Super Rugby 2019 Rd 15 Highlights
The @MelbourneRebels remain in contention to top the Australian conference with a thumping 52-7 win over the @sunwolves in Tokyo.#SuperRugby #SUNvREB pic.twitter.com/CEAB9QshTU

— Super Rugby (@SuperRugby) May 25, 2019