Jaguares upset Chiefs

Super Rugby road trip end in perfect style in Rotorua

try and their own one ruled out - and they just couldn’t pull off anything to save their bacon this time out.

For a side packed with electric talent, on a chilly night in perfect conditions they couldn’t even muster a try, as their attack presented clunky and the Jaguares scrambled till the end.

The Chiefs were forced into raft of changes late in the piece, with co-captain Sam Cane ruled out with an abdominal strain, and blindside flanker Lachlan Boshier also scratched, with appendicitis. That saw Luke Jacobson get his first Super Rugby start, at No 6, veteran Liam Messam moved from No 8 to openside, Bay of Plenty flanker Jesse Paraete came onto the bench for a debut, while All Blacks lock Brodie Retallick didn’t end up getting the extra rest he was originally prescribed, also thrust into the reserves. Having enjoyed a massive 80 per cent share of territory in the first half, the Chiefs led by two at the break, thanks to four penalties to first five-eighth Damian Mckenzie. But it was the Jaguares who would have been the happier, having scored the only try of the half, in the 27th minute, when captain and fullback Joaquin Tuculet seared through the hosts’ defence from inside his own half, and right winger Ramiro Moyano finished well.

With the Chiefs in need of a lift, they however quickly played from behind after Nicolas Sanchez slotted from in front to make it 13-12, before a till-then-perfect McKenzie hit the post from distance, and the pocket of Jaguares fans found their voice.

But if Chiefs coach Colin Cooper’s mood wasn’t cherry at that point, it got a whole lot darker very quickly.

In the 50th minute lock Michael Allardice was contentiously sin binned, having chucked an arm out which Jaguares blindside flanker Tomas Lezana tipped over. Because of the dangerous landing referee Mike Fraser deemed it a yellow card offence.

Then, as if the Chiefs thought they weren’t in enough of a pickle, straight after that came a Jaguares maul off the lineout, which Messam was called to have collapsed on his rejoining. That resulted in a penalty try and another yellow card.

Somehow, with their two-man disadvantage, the Chiefs held out some rampant Jagaures attacks, before suffering yet another setback with lock Tyler Ardron forced off with injury. Having to chase in desperation, the Chiefs captain for the night Charlie Ngatai sliced through to finish a 64th minute stunner which had even Cooper on his feet. But TMO Shane McDermott’s eagle eye was on hand to check a knock on against Nathan Harris, and the try was ruled out.

After that the Chiefs still had plenty of opportunities, but handling errors put paid to any hope of a late comeback, before debutant Parete crossed after the siren to secure them a losing bonus point.

(Ramiro Moyano try, penalty try; Nicolas Sanchez con, 2 pen, Emiliano Boffelli pen) 19 (Jesse Parete try; Damian McKenzie con, 4 pen) HT: 10-12.

- Rugby Heaven