Moyano, Hernandez star for dominant Jaguares rugby
Ramiro Moyano and Juan Martin Hernandez inflicted most of the damage for the Argentine Jaguares as they defeated the South African Central Cheetahs 41-14 in Super Rugby Saturday. Winger Moyano scored three tries to contribute 15 points and Argentine rugby icon Hernandez kicked 14 points through four conversions and two penalties. Lock Matias Alemanno also scored a try and the home team were awarded a penalty try in the final minute which gave them a 5-2 try advantage and a bonus point. Previously worth five points, the value of the penalty try in Super Rugby has been increased to seven points this season with the conversion abolished. The convincing home victory lifted the Buenos Aires outfit to the top of the Africa 2 table, ahead of 2016 runners-up Golden Lions of South Africa on points difference. Both teams have 14 points after four rounds with the Coastal Sharks one point behind and another South African side, Southern Kings, last on five points. Jaguares have won three of four matches against South African opponents this season -- a major improvement on last year when they struggled as debutants. Cheetahs flew to South America having won two of three matches at home, but never looked like adding to their nine-point total that has them lying second in the Africa 1 standings. They fell behind to a Moyano try in the corner after seven minutes and trailed by 17 points before centre Michael van der Spuy scored a try. Behind 24-7 by half-time, the Bloemfontein-based team scored their second try through replacement hooker Joseph Dweba on 73 minutes. Fly-half Niel Marais converted both tries and his second successful shot at goal reduced the deficit to 27-14 at the sun-drenched Estadio Jose Amalfitani. But the South Africans failed to take advantage of Jaguares replacement back Santiago Gonzalez Iglesias being sin-binned and conceded two further tries. Jaguares enjoy home advantage again next weekend when the struggling Queensland Reds of Australia come to Buenos Aires. Cheetahs host the Sharks.
