Jaguares (Super Rugby)

The Jaguares was an Argentine professional rugby union team based in Buenos Aires, Argentina. They were founded in 2015 and are the first Argentine team to play in SANZAAR's Super Rugby competition, participating from the 2016 Super Rugby season onwards. They were the runners up during the 2019 Super Rugby season, losing to the Crusaders 19–3 in the Super Rugby Final, played on 6 July 2019. They participated in Super Rugby until the end of the 2020 Super Rugby season, before they departed the competition having not been named in any of the regionalised formats for the 2021 Super Rugby season. With no competition in sight, players moved to different clubs in Europe and the national group disintegrated. The Jaguares disbanded permanently in December 2022 due to the expansion of Super Rugby Americas, dividing into two new teams, Dogos XV and Pampas XV.

Not to be confused with Argentina Jaguars, now known as Argentina XV, the Argentina national second / 'A' team that participates in competitions such as the Americas Rugby Championship.
Not to be confused with Jaguares XV, Jaguares's successor team in Súper Liga Americana de Rugby.

Jaguares
UnionArgentine Rugby Union
Nickname(s)The Jaguares
Founded16 December 2015
Disbanded2020 (2020)
LocationBuenos Aires, Argentina
RegionArgentina
Ground(s)José Amalfitani Stadium (Capacity: 49,540)
Most capsGuido Petti (67)
Top scorerNicolás Sánchez (392)
20203rd (South African Conference)
8th (Overall) (season abandoned)
1st kit
2nd kit
Official website
www.jaguares.com.ar

History

Following on from impressive performances by Argentina in international rugby union competitions, such as a third-placed finish in the 2007 Rugby World Cup, the governing body of rugby in Argentina, the Argentine Rugby Union (UAR), campaigned for inclusion in SANZAR's Tri Nations competition. In 2011, it was announced that the competition would be expanded to include Argentina, which resulted in the competition being rebranded as The Rugby Championship[1] and Argentina competed in the competition for the first time in 2012.

There was still no professional league in Argentina per rules of the Argentine Rugby Union. The UAR launched a team called the Pampas XV that participated in the South African Vodacom Cup competition from 2010 to 2013, winning the competition in 2011 with an 11-match unbeaten run.[2] The team withdrew from the competition at the end of 2013 due to financial considerations,[3] but was relaunched to participate in the Pacific Rugby Cup from 2014 onwards.[4] They won the competition in 2014[5] and 2015 (as the rebranded World Rugby Pacific Challenge).[6]

Despite the performances of the Pampas XV, the UAR still campaigned to have teams included in the Super Rugby competition.[7][8] Since SANZAR sold the existing Super Rugby package to its broadcasters for the period 2011–15, it meant that no changes to the format would be permitted until the 2016 season.[9]

Super Rugby

In 2013, SANZAR CEO Greg Peters announced that Super Rugby would be expanded in the 2016 season, adding that the South African franchise the Southern Kings would be one of the expansion teams.[10] In early 2014, SANZAR confirmed that Super Rugby would be increased from 15 to 18 teams starting from the 2016 season, with an Argentine team getting one of the additional spots. The team would be based in Buenos Aires and that they would participate in the South African Conference.[11] Japan was granted the license for the 18th franchise in October 2014[12] and the new expanded format and three new teams were formally approved by the SANZAR Executive Committee in November 2014.[13] In 2018 the team recorded 7 wins in a row. In 2019 the team played their first ever Super Rugby final against the Crusaders in Christchurch where the Jaguares were defeated 19-3.

Team results by season
Jaguares season by season record
Season Pos Finals P W L D F A -/+ BP Pts
2016 13th — 15 4 11 0 376 427 –51 6 22
2017 10th — 15 7 8 0 404 386 +18 5 33
2018 7th Qualifiers 17 9 8 0 432 458 –26 2 38
2019 2nd Runners Up 19 13 6 0 461 352 109 7 51

Player scoring records
Season Most tries Most points
Name Tries Name Points
2016 Agustín Creevy
Martín Landajo		 6 Nicolás Sánchez 142
2017 Agustín Creevy 5 Nicolás Sánchez 89
2018 Emiliano Boffelli
Bautista Delguy		 10 Nicolás Sánchez 161
2019 Ramiro Moyano 7 Joaquín Díaz Bonilla 119

Honours

Super Rugby
  • Runners-up (1)

2019

  • South African Conference winners (1)

2019

Name and colours

The name was initially scheduled to be revealed at the end of July 2015, before being postponed to after the 2015 Rugby World Cup. On 16 December 2015, it was announced that the team would be known as the Jaguares. The name Jaguares was chosen to represent cunning, skill and power. According to the Jaguares official website, "Their sharp instinct and their intelligence make the Jaguares the ideal symbol for our team."[14] The name is also a tribute to the crest of the Argentine Rugby Union, which appears on the jerseys of all Argentina national teams, and as a Spanish translation to the nation side Jaguars.[15]

The name Jaguares is cognate with the English 'jaguars', which originates in the South American languages Tupi, Guaraní, Spanish, and Portuguese. The Spanish version yaguares or yaguaretés is always written with an initial y, and the first appearances of the word written with a j were after transliterations into English.

Stadium
The José Amalfitani Stadium during a rugby match between Argentina 'A' and England 'A' in 2013.
José Amalfitani Stadium during the Jaguares' home debut versus New Zealand's Chiefs (2016 Super Rugby season)

The Jaguares are based in Buenos Aires and their home ground is the 49,540-capacity José Amalfitani Stadium.

2020 squad
For player movements before and during the 2021 season, see List of 2020–21 Super Rugby transfers § Jaguares.

The squad for the 2020 Super Rugby season was:[16]

Jaguares Super Rugby squad

Props

Hookers

Locks

Loose forwards

Scrum-halves

Fly-halves

Centres

Wingers

Fullbacks

(c) Denotes team captain, Bold denotes internationally capped, DEV denotes a development squad player, ST denotes a short-term signing.
All team players are Argentine, unless otherwise noted.

    Current coaching staff

    The following coaching team was announced by the Argentine Rugby Union for the 2020 Super Rugby season:

    Name Title
    Argentina Gonzalo Quesada Head coach
    Argentina Juan Fernández Miranda Assistant coach
    Argentina Andrés Bordoy Assistant coach

    Previous coaches
    Since introduction in 2016
    Coach Period G W L D % Honours Ref.
    Raúl Pérez 2015 – 2017 30 11 19 0 036.67
    Mario Ledesma 10 October 2017 – 1 August 2018 17 9 8 0 052.94 [17][18]
    Gonzalo Quesada 9 August 2018 – 5 June 2020 26 16 9 1 061.54 [19][20]

    Jaguares XV
    Jaguares XV
    UnionArgentine Rugby Union
    Nickname(s)The Jaguares
    Founded2019 (2019)
    Disbanded25 December 2022
    LocationBuenos Aires, Argentina
    RegionArgentina
    Ground(s)José Amalfitani Stadium (Capacity: 49,540)
    Coach(es)Ignacio Fernández Lobbe
    Captain(s)Tomás Cubilla
    League(s)SLAR
    20211st
    Playoffs
    Champions
    1st kit
    2nd kit
    Official website
    www.jaguares.com.ar

    In June 2019, it was confirmed that a Jaguares' development team called Jaguares XV would participate in the First Division of the Currie Cup, South Africa's premier domestic championship.[21] Following the COVID-19 pandemic the 2020 Currie Cup was delayed and the first division of the competition cancelled, meaning the Jaguares XV did not compete in 2020.[22] For the 2021 season, the Jaguares XV will compete in Súper Liga Americana de Rugby, replacing Ceibos as Argentina's franchise in the competition.[23][24] On 23 January, it was confirmed that Ignacio Fernández Lobbe would coach the side in the 2021 Súper Liga Americana de Rugby season. Fernández Lobbe had previously coached Ceibos in the 2020 Súper Liga Americana de Rugby season.[25]

    On 25 December 2022, the Jaguares XV divided to multiply the base of Argentine rugby and enhance regional competition. As part of the transformations of the new Super Rugby Americas, which will replace the American Super League, the Argentine franchise was divided into Pampas, from Buenos Aires, and Dogos XV, from Córdoba. Putting a definitive end to the Jaguares franchise.[26]

    The Jaguares XV squad for the 2022 Súper Liga Americana de Rugby season is:[27]

    Note: Flags indicate national union under World Rugby eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-World Rugby nationality.

    Player Position Union
    Bautista Bernasconi Hooker Argentina Argentina
    Andrea Panzarini Hooker Argentina Argentina
    Ignacio Ruiz Hooker Argentina Argentina
    Lautaro Caro Saisi Prop Argentina Argentina
    Javier Coronel Prop Argentina Argentina
    Adrian Delgado Prop Argentina Argentina
    Hugo García Prop Argentina Argentina
    Mateo Nuñez Miseres Prop Argentina Argentina
    Nicolás Revol Pitt Prop Argentina Argentina
    Santiago Pulella Prop Argentina Argentina
    Martín Villar Prop Argentina Argentina
    Mayco Vivas Prop Argentina Argentina
    Lucio Anconetani Lock Argentina Argentina
    Manuel Bernstein Lock Argentina Argentina
    Rodrigo Fernández Criado Lock Argentina Argentina
    Pedro Rubiolo Lock Argentina Argentina
    Lautaro Simes Lock Argentina Argentina
    Aitor Bildosola Back row Argentina Argentina
    Elisio Chiavassa Back row Argentina Argentina
    Jerónimo Gómez Vara Back row Argentina Argentina
    Juan Bautista Pedemonte Back row Argentina Argentina
    Santiago Ruiz Back row Argentina Argentina
    Player Position Union
    Mateo Albanese Scrum-half Argentina Argentina
    Rafael Iriarte Scrum-half Argentina Argentina
    Joaquín Pellandini Scrum-half Argentina Argentina
    Juan Cruz Strada Scrum-half Argentina Argentina
    Tomás Suárez Folch Fly-half Argentina Argentina
    Santiago Mare Fly-half Argentina Argentina
    Juan Pablo Castro Centre Argentina Argentina
    Juan Corso Centre Argentina Argentina
    Tomás Cubilla (c) Centre Argentina Argentina
    Agustín Segura Centre Argentina Argentina
    Martín Bogado Wing Argentina Argentina
    Iñaki Delguy Wing Argentina Argentina
    Nicanor López Fernández Wing Argentina Argentina
    Francisco Pisani Wing Argentina Argentina
    Ignacio Mendy Fullback Argentina Argentina
    Gerónimo Prisciantelli Fullback Argentina Argentina
    • Senior 15s internationally capped players are listed in bold.
    • * denotes players qualified to play for Argentina on dual nationality or residency grounds.

    Honours
    • Currie Cup First Division (1)

    2019

    • Súper Liga Americana de Rugby (1)

    2021

    • Challenge Cup of the Americas (1)

    2022

    See also

    References
    1. ""The Rugby Championship" to replace Tri Nations". rugby.com.au. Retrieved 8 November 2011.
    2. "Pampas XV win Vodacom Cup!". SuperSport. 13 May 2011. Retrieved 17 April 2015.
    3. "Pampas out of Vodacom Cup". Sport24. 19 November 2013. Retrieved 19 November 2013.
    4. "Plantel de Seniors para la temporada 2014" (Press release) (in Spanish). Unión Argentina de Rugby. 27 December 2013. Archived from the original on 28 December 2013. Retrieved 27 December 2013.
    5. "Argentina Pampas win Pacific Rugby Cup". Asia Rugby Football Union. 24 March 2014. Archived from the original on 9 October 2019. Retrieved 17 April 2015.
    6. "Argentina Pampas defend Pacific Challenge title". World Rugby. 23 March 2015. Retrieved 17 April 2015.
    7. "Super Rugby may accept Argentinian teams in 2016". Guardian. 8 August 2013. Retrieved 17 April 2015.
    8. "Pichot: Argentina in Super Rugby is a no brainer". SuperXV. 23 August 2013. Archived from the original on 17 April 2015. Retrieved 17 April 2015.
    9. "Super Rugby going global". Sydney Daily Telegraph. 11 February 2012. Retrieved 17 April 2015.
    10. "SANZAR boss Greg Peters confirms South Africa will get a sixth Super Rugby franchise from 2016". Herald Sun. 4 September 2013. Retrieved 26 August 2013.
    11. "Search begins for 18th Super Rugby team" (Press release). SANZAR. 2 May 2014. Retrieved 17 April 2015.
    12. "Super Rugby: Japan chosen to host new franchise from 2016". BBC. 24 October 2014. Retrieved 17 April 2015.
    13. "Japan and Argentina officially join Super Rugby" (Press release). SANZAR. 20 November 2014. Retrieved 17 April 2015.
    14. "Why Jagueres?". Jaguares. Archived from the original on 10 January 2016. Retrieved 10 January 2016.
    15. "Google Translate". translate.google.co.nz. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
    16. "Jaguares comienza la pretemporada" (Press release) (in Spanish). Jaguares. 21 November 2019. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
    17. "Mario Ledesma to become head coach of Los Jaguares". Sky Sports. 10 October 2017.
    18. "Mario Ledesma returns to Argentina to take over as head coach of the Jaguares". News.com.au. 11 October 2017.
    19. "Jaguares appoint Quesada as head coach". Yahoo Sports. 9 August 2018. Retrieved 11 August 2018.
    20. "'Speedy Gonzalo' returns to Argentina as Jaguares coach". Rugby.com.au. 9 August 2018. Retrieved 11 August 2018.
    21. "Se confirmó el fixture para la First Division de la Currie Cup" (Press release) (in Spanish). Jaguares. 12 June 2019. Retrieved 25 June 2019.
    22. Byron, George (24 July 2020). "Currie Cup First Division rugby canned for 2020". Herald Live. Archived from the original on 10 August 2020.
    23. "Jaguares to play in Súper Liga Americana de Rugby". Americas Rugby News. 6 January 2021. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
    24. @JaguaresARG (23 January 2021). "¡Vuelve #JaguaresXV, vuelve el rugby a la región! El equipo participará en la @SLARugby junto a las franquicias de Brasil, Chile, Colombia, Paraguay y Uruguay en el certamen continental que se disputará, entre el 16 de marzo y el 15 de mayo, en dos sedes fijas a definir" (Tweet). Retrieved 24 January 2021 – via Twitter.
    25. "Prominent Argentine names confirmed as head coaches for all SLAR teams". Americas Rugby News. 23 January 2021. Retrieved 24 January 2021.
    26. "Jaguares se divide para multiplicar la base del rugby argentino y potenciar la competencia regional". La Nacion. 25 December 2022. Retrieved 26 December 2022.
    27. "Formidable Jaguares XV roster named for SLAR 2022". Americas Rugby News. 4 February 2022. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
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