The Hurricanes produced a come-from-behind effort to beat the Jaguares 26-23 in a pulsating encounter in Buenos Aires.
Trailing by 11 points with less than 10 minutes to go, the ‘Canes delivered a grandstand finish with two late tries to snatch victory at the death.
MATCH WINNER! What a comeback from @Hurricanesrugby! ??#JAGvHUR #RugbyRecoded pic.twitter.com/KoD0efnsCI
— Super Rugby (@SuperRugbyNZ) February 9, 2020
After falling to a 27-0 defeat away to the Stormers last week, the Hurricanes headed to Argentina looking to avoid back-to-back defeats under new coach Jason Holland. The Jaguares, meanwhile, opened their season with an impressive 38-8 demolition job over the Lions.
The home side scored the only try of the first half, with Marcos Kremer crossing over for the Jaguares. But three penalties from Jordie Barrett – including a monster 63m attempt – kept the Hurricanes in the contest, trailing 10-9 at the break.
? An absolute rocket from Jordie Barrett! 63 metres with ease.
? @skysportnz#JAGvHUR #RugbyRecoded pic.twitter.com/Y7UbsblL1q
— Super Rugby (@SuperRugbyNZ) February 8, 2020
Two second half penalties from Dominigo Miotti saw the Jaguares extend their lead, before a try by Augustin Creevy looked to have sealed the result for the hosts.
The Hurricanes refused to lie down and were back in the match nine minutes from time when a brilliant break from captain TJ Perenara set up an attacking scrum 5m out from the tryline. Soon after, young prop Alex Fidow took a quick-tap to power over the line to give the Kiwi side hope.
In the end, a late burst from Ngani Laumape sent replacement halfback Jamie Booth over for the match-winning try, with Fletcher Smith’s conversion earning them a three-point victory.
That’s an outstanding try saver from Jordie!#JAGvHUR pic.twitter.com/4L0EFE5E33
— Super Rugby (@SuperRugbyNZ) February 9, 2020
Jaguares – Tries: Marcos Kremer, Agustin Creevy. Conversions: Domingo Miotti (2). Penalties: Domingo Miotti (3).
Hurricanes – Tries: Alex Fidow, Jamie Booth. Conversions: Jackson Garden-Bachop, Fletcher Smith. Penalties: Jordie Barrett (4).
Jaguares – 15 Santiago Carreras, 14 Sebastian Cancelliere, 13 Matias Moroni, 12 Jeronimo De La Fuente (c), 11 Emiliano Boffelli, 10 Domingo Miotti, 9 Tomas Cubelli, 8 Rodrigo Buni, 7 Marcos Kremer, 6 Francisco Gorrissen, 5 Lucas Paulos, 4 Guido Petti, 3 Santiago Medrano, 2 Julian Montoya, 1 Mayco Vivas.
Subs: 16 Agustin Creevy, 17 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, 18 Joel Sclavi, 19 Javier Ortega Desio, 20 Tomas Lezana, 21 Gonzalo Bertranou, 22 Tomas Albornoz, 23 Santiago Chocobares.
Hurricanes – 15 Jordie Barrett, 14 Wes Goosen, 13 Billy Proctor, 12 Ngani Laumape, 11 Ben Lam, 10 Jackson Garden-Bachop, 9 Thomas Perenara (c), 8 Gareth Evans, 7 Du’Plessis Kirifi, 6 Reed Prinsep, 5 Scott Scrafton, 4 James Blackwell, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Asafo Aumua, 1 Fraser Armstrong.
Subs: 16 Ricky Riccitelli, 17 Tevita Mafileo, 18 Alex Fidow, 19 Isaia Walker-Leawere, 20 Vaea Fifita, 21 Jamie Booth, 22 Fletcher Smith, 23 Vince Aso.
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Photo: Getty Images