01 July 2019, by: Quintin van Jaarsveld

SUPER RUGBY SEMIFINALS – BIGGEST TAKEAWAYS

The biggest takeaways from the Super Rugby semi-finals, according to Quintin van Jaarsveld.

The Jaguares are the real deal. They removed any doubt over their title contender status with their 39-7 destruction of the Brumbies. It was a complete and clinical performance. It proved the Argentinians’ aptitude to excel in finals rugby.

They have come into their own this year. This much was clear, emphasised by a six-match winning streak that saw them secure their first-ever semi-final. The big question going into the weekend was: how would the Jaguares handle the pressure of the historic high-stakes encounter? They answered emphatically, racing into a 20-0 lead in as many minutes and ultimately handed the Brumbies their heaviest-ever knockout loss.

It was the Brumbies, tournament winners in 2001 and 2004, who looked like first-time semi-finalists. They appeared shell- shocked in front of a raucous crowd and made a mess of fielding a simple chip to find themselves 10-0 down after just seven minutes.

Jaguares v Brumbies | Super Rugby 2019 Semi-Final 2 Highlights
An early blitz and wonderful all-round performance from took them through to their first final after a crushing 39-7 win over in Buenos Aires.

— Super Rugby (@SuperRugby)

The Jaguares operated like the well-oiled machine they’ve been all year, stringing phases together and minimising mistakes to keep the Brumbies under the pump. Cool, calm and collected, they executed their game plan to a tee and absorbed the best the Brumbies had to offer just before and after half-time – a great sign for their supporters heading into their maiden final.

Halfbacks Tomas Cubelli and Joaquin Diaz Bonilla controlled the game superbly, ever-crucial in knockout rugby, and their brilliance at lineout time, particularly in poaching balls on the Brumbies’ throw, would’ve caught the Crusaders’ attention.

While their home fans fuel them to no end, the Jaguares of 2019 are far from a “home town team.” They’ve been good on the road and even though conquering the Crusaders in Christchurch has proven to be mission impossible – with the ‘Saders having never lost a home play-off game – the men from Buenos Aires won’t lack belief.

In Saturday’s instant classic in Christchurch, it was the subtleties that proved decisive. Amidst the action-packed rollercoaster, the Crusaders cleverly snake-charmed the Hurricanes with superior tactics and execution.

Heralded for being the best running side in the competition, the ‘Saders showcased their often overlooked strengths in the sensational 30-26 win. It was an epic exercise in total rugby from the defending champions, a sweet symphony of forward dominance, territorial astuteness, pinpoint accuracy and sublime finishing.

Much was made by the commentators of the ‘Canes’ kicking game plan in the first half, but it mirrored that of the hosts. The difference was in the execution. The Crusaders were clinical and cerebral, whereas the ‘Canes’ decision-making on when to kick and shoddy execution gifted the home team time and space to punish them. Richie Mo’unga’s counter-attacking try was a prime example of this.

At half-time, the kicking stats read 20-16 to the visitors and in the end, the Hurricanes kicked 33 times, just once more than the Crusaders. The hosts were equally effective when it came to launching contestable bombs and finding grass, and their all-important kick-chase was outstanding.

…And that is why the Crusaders are off to their third final in a row!

FULL HIGHLIGHTS ➡️

— Super Rugby (@SuperRugbyNZ)

Their all-round kicking class was sensationally summed up in the lead-up to Sevu Reece’s first try. Scrumhalf Bryn Hall’s box-kick was perfectly-weighted for George Bridge, whose timing, commitment and aerial agility allowed him to win the ball.

With the ‘Canes defence now in disarray, there was oodles of space out wide, which Ryan Crotty exploited brilliantly with his crosskick for the unmarked Reece to pounce on, which he did so remarkably. Generally, Hall and Mo’unga had more time on the ball due to the ‘Saders forwards’ superiority, but it was in open play where the ‘Canes really let themselves down with their kicking out of hand.

Having said that, the ‘Saders deserve credit for their positional play; Bridge mopping up a dangerous kick in the 55th minute was just one example of the back three’s defensive nous, while replacement scrumhalf Mitchell Drummond’s diving take in the 22 later on highlighted the sweeping cover the halfbacks provided.

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