Preview: Jaguares vs Cell C Sharks:
The Cell C Sharks take on the Jaguares in a second round, return leg Vodacom Super Rugby derby clash at the Jose Amalfitani Stadium in Buenos Aires on Saturday evening knowing what they need to do.
With one pool match – against the DHLStormers – remaining after this one, also away from home, the Cell C Sharks hold our destiny in our own hands. A huge effort in the final fortnight of the pool stages of the competition will secure a top eight finish and a place in the play-offs.
There is no shortage of motivation for a Cell C Sharks side that knows they have two weeks to deliver all-or-nothing performances to secure a place in the knock-out rounds.
“We all know we need to win the next two to make the play-offs and the boys are very encouraged to produce the goods; we’re very motivated to go win these next two games,” said eighthman Dan du Preez who last week celebrated his half-century milestone of appearances in Vodacom Super Rugby for the Cell C Sharks.
What They Said:
“We’ve adopted the mindset of playing knock-out rugby for a few weeks now and it’s getting close to the business end now so the knock-out stance intensifies and we won’t shy away from it.”
- Cell C Sharks prop Thomas du Toit
“Although last weekend didn’t go according to plan, we can take confidence out of a lot of our performances this year. We just need to pull together as a team and cut out the errors. The Jaguares are a very physical team so we’ll have to take them on at set-piece time. Our set-piece needs to function to give our backs the platform to strike off. ”
- Cell C Sharks eighthman Dan du Preez
“Jaguares: They’re an international team, that play all year round together, they never split up. They’re delivering at the moment, they’ve hit a run of form and have unity and belief.”
- Cell C Sharks Assistant Coach Nick Easter
Team News:
Head coach Robert du Preez has made a few changes to the side, with Hyron Andrews and Tyler Paul starting amongst the forwards and Robert du Preez coming in at flyhalf with Curwin Bosch named at fullback.
The Jaguares are coming off a great run of form with three victories over Australian and New Zealand opposition including a statement-of-intent 28-20 victory over the Hurricanes in Wellington. They’ve won seven of their last eight matches after starting the competition after losing four of their first six matches.
Some History:
The two teams have met seven times in Vodacom Super Rugby with the Cell C Sharks having won on five occasions and the Jaguares two although the Jaguares have won two of their last three matches against the Sharks after losing their first four encounters in Super Rugby history.
A Few Stats:
Clean Breaks*:
Cell C Sharks: 9.6 Jaguares: 8.7
Goal-kicking Percentage:
Cell C Sharks: 77% Jaguares: 76%
Offloads*:
Cell C Sharks: 8.4 Jaguares: 6.8
Penalties Conceded*:
Cell C Sharks: 8.4 Jaguares: 10.6
Tackle Percentage:
Cell C Sharks: 86% Jaguares: 85%
Lineout Success:
Cell C Sharks: 85% Jaguares: 89%
Scrum Success:
Cell C Sharks: 93% Jaguares: 86%
*Ave per game
Head to Head:
2017: Cell C Sharks 18-13 Jaguares
2017: Jaguares 25-33 Cell C Sharks
2018: Jaguares 29-13 Cell C Sharks
2018: Cell C Sharks 20-10 Jaguares
2019: Cell C Sharks 17-51 Jaguares
Match Info:
Referee: Nick Briant
Kick-off: Saturday 8 June
Time: 9.40pm
Venue: Estadio Jose Amalfitani, Buenos Aires
The post Preview: Jaguares vs Cell C Sharks appeared first on Sharks Rugby.
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