Pumas win over ABs can’t wipe memories of Jaguares
Argentina may be riding high in the rugby world, but their Super Rugby team has still been left out in the cold. Richard Knowler reports.
ON a freezing night in Christchurch 16months ago, the Jaguares’ players wept with frustration following a devastating loss in the Super Rugby final.
Lastweekend many of those men were again crying, this time with joy, after Argentina beat the All Blacks 25-15 to record an historic victory in Sydney.
But, first, it pays to re-wind to why the Jaguares were blubbing into their towels on July 6 last year.
Shattered after the 19-3 defeat to the Crusaders in the Super Rugby final, the Jaguares, spearheaded by aman-of-thematch performance from backrower Pablo Matera, wondered what more they could have done to roll the defending champions.
Once the disappointment had subsided, however, the Argentinians had reason to be optimistic of claiming amaiden title in the near future.
The Jaguares had qualified for the final within four years of joining the competition, a monumental effort in itself, and if not required to travel 10,000km to Christchurch they wouldn’t have been limited to just one decent training run before facing a side heaving with All Blacks.
Thiswas their plan for the seasons ahead: to host a final in front of their passionate people in Buenos Aires, where it would be their turn to point a flamethrower at a jet-lagged opponent.
No chance of that now. The Jaguares will never get another
crack at a title. Covid-19 has been catastrophic for the Jaguares organisation, which spent years convincing Sanzaar to allow it entry into Super
Rugby.
When Covid-19 accelerated the breakup of Super Rugby earlier this year it not only left the Jaguares without a competition, it has also
decimated their roster, a number of players, with the blessing of Argentina’s rugby union (UAR) which needed to reduce its wage bill, have since signedwith European clubs.
Jaguares coach Gonzalo Quesada also joined the exodus, taking over at French club Stade Francais.
NZ Rugby, which expects to post a loss of around $40 million due to the pandemic forcing the closure of Super Rugby in March, aswell as disrupting the All Blacks’ test programme, played a role in the Jaguares’ demise.
In its defence, NZ Rugby had little choice. In times of crisis, self-preservation is king.
Having recognised its fans were turning off from Super Rugby in their droves, as were subscribers to Sky Sport, NZ Rugby had to win back supporterswith a better, streamlined competition model.
Whichwas bad news for the Jaguares.
Following the success of Super Rugby Aotearoa, NZ Rugby led the charge to cut the Jaguares and four South African teams adrift. The Sunwolves, from Japan, were already toast after Sanzaar effectively booted them out.
Given everything that has happened during the pandemic, it’s understandable the Jaguares demise didn’t create bold headlines inNew Zealand.
While South Africa Rugby Union was angry about its teams being unwanted by NZ Rugby, andwill now send them north to join the Pro 14, reports here about the Jaguares’ plight were scant.
Given the sport remains mostly amateur in Argentina, the Jaguares were left in a difficult position. UAR president Marcelo Rodriguez has said was ‘‘optimistic’’ about the team’s future, despite the chaos created by Covid-19.
‘‘We are sure that in one way or another, Jaguares will be put in a competition that is economically and financially stable for UAR,’’ Rodriguez told ESPN.
There has been speculation the Jaguares could join
Superliga Americana de Rugby, which includes another team from Argentina, as well as others from Chile, Brazil, Paraguay, Colombia and Uruguay.
The ramifications for the national team are obvious. Contracting professional players to one team in Argentinawas a big plus for the Pumas coach, even though they failed to advance past pool play in the World Cup in Japan last year.
Then, amid all the madness created by the pandemic and in their first game since the RWC, the Pumas mustered up the energy andmuscle to upset the All Blacks.
It was amonumental effort andmany New Zealanders, albeit disappointed by the All Blacks’ poor effort, respected the Argentinians’ resolve and determination.
Sanzaar has confirmed the Pumas will remain in the Rugby Championship alongwith the All Blacks, Wallabies and Springboks until 2030.
The Jaguares, meanwhile, have to fight for survival without Super Rugby.