Super Rugby 2019: Jaguares advance to first final after crushing Brumbies in Argentina

The Jaguares will play their first Super Rugby final next weekend after thrashing the Brumbies 39-7 in Buenos Aires on Saturday (NZ time).

The Argentinian side will face the winner of the second semi-final contested by the Crusaders and Hurricanes in Christchurch on Saturday night.

Even though it was the Jaguares' first semi-final, they showed no sign of nerves in front of a fever-pitch crowd, and they were almost flawless in the first half.   

The Brumbies simply didn't turn up and looked lacklustre from the opening whistle as the 30-hour trip from Canberra to Argentina appeared to have taken a toll.   

The Brumbies were riding a seven-game winning streak heading into the contest, but that scintillating form which took them to the finals was nowhere to be seen.   

Brumbies hooker Folau Faingaa had his worst game of the season and lost an inconceivable five lineouts in the opening 25 minutes.   

Super Rugby 2019: Jaguares advance to first final after crushing Brumbies in Argentina

The Jaguares scored the opener after a mix up between Rob Valetini, and Toni Pulu saw a kick shoot through the last line of defence, and the former Brumbies player Tomas Cubelli swooped.   

Joaquin Diaz Bonilla booted back-to-back penalties, both won after lost Brumbies' lineouts, as the Jaguares raced to a 13-0 lead.   

The Brumbies' polish of the past two months had well and truly worn off, with the visitors making basic errors as the clinical Jaguares made the most of their chances.   

The next mistake came from No.8 Lachlan McCaffrey when he was caught isolated on the blind side, and the Jaguares punched the corner from the ensuing penalty.   

A few phases later and lock Tomas Lavanini barged over to score. Just like that, it was 20-0 after 20 minutes.   

The Brumbies scored a crucial try through Faingaa on the stroke of half-time, but it proved a false dawn as the mistakes continued in the second half.   

Brumbies skipper Christian Lealiifano tried to grubber through on 50 minutes, but it was defused by Matias Moroni who sprinted 50 metres before finding Matias Orlando to score.   

Orlando scored his second after bursting through tired defenders on 62 minutes before fullback Emiliano Boffelli scored a turnover try in the dying moments.

Bonilla finished with a perfect six from six off the tee.

If the Hurricanes beat the Crusaders, the final will be hosted in Argentina, but if the two-time defending champions win, the final will be in Christchurch.

AAP 

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