Jaguares fairytale journey on track

● The Crusaders will host their sixth Super Rugby final on Saturday against the dangerous and first-time finalists the Jaguares after the Christchurch outfit’s epic encounter against the Hurricanes.

The fiery North Island franchise made the hosts sweat for their 30-26 victory in a game that doubled up as a virtual trial for the All Blacks.

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen was in attendance at the Orangetheory Stadium where the premier New Zealand teams served up a semifinal for the ages.

It was a far cry from yesterday morning's one-way traffic at a packed and raucous Estadio Jose Amalfiltani in Buenos Aires where the Jaguares took an early 20-0 lead on their way to a convincing 39-7 win against the Brumbies.

Where the Jaguares were clinical and efficient in their first semifinal, which they deservedly converted into their maiden showpiece game appearance, the Crusaders needed to be at their best.

In their hammering of the Brumbies, the Jaguares scored five tries to one with pivot Joaquin Diaz Bonilla collecting 14 points.

While the Jaguares were a study of precise execution, the Crusaders and Hurricanes engaged in an unforgettable contest.

The Crusaders took a 13-0 lead through two Richie Mo’unga penalties, a conversion plus a 12th-minute Sevu Reece try. Tries either side of halftime by Ngani Laumape

The Hurricanes made the hosts sweat for their 30-26 victory

(39th minute) and Ben Lam (41st minute) narrowed the deficit to a point.

Mo’unga responded with an opportunistic try that restored a healthy buffer.

Laumape, who was in a personal duel with Crusaders wing Reece for most tries scored this season, added his second try in the 51st minute to narrow the gap to a point.

The Crusaders though responded in kind and 20-19 became 27-19 when Reece dotted down in the corner in the 59th minute.

Mo’unga, whose personal flyhalf battle with All Black pivot Barrett was enthralling, nailed the touchline conversion that would prove significant.

The Hurricanes never looked like they’d throw in the towel and when TJ Perenara wormed his way over the line three minutes later, it was 27-26 to the hosts with 18 minutes left.

Mo’unga landed a 72nd-minute penalty for the four-point lead that was the difference but the Jaguares will be different in unfamiliar but happy waters.