Jaguares eager to seize historic chance

David Skippers

Saturday’s Super Rugby final against the Crusaders is the Jaguares’ reward for not only a successful 2019 season but also for the hard work that has gone in over four years.

That is the word from Jaguares captain Jeronimo de la Fuente ahead of his team’s showdown with the nine-time champions in Christchurch.

Although there had been tough times to start with when the Jaguares joined the SANZAAR-based competition in 2016, they had worked hard to make the adjustment to the point where they were now competing in a final.

“There were many good things and bad moments along the way,” De la Fuente told the Jaguares’ official website.

“The road to here involved the lessons that brought us to where we are today. It was the right road with successes and mistakes. It was a process we had to go through since starting out with first coach Aspirina (Raul) Perez in 2016.”

It has been a heady week for the side since beating the Brumbies 39-7 in their semi-final in Buenos Aires last weekend.

“I have been enjoying it a lot. It was all very fast but the whole team is enjoying the feeling,” said De la Fuente.

“Whenever there are two players together at the hotel they are talking about the game, what the year has been about and the process that got us to this point.”

According to the captain, they are not looking to change the way they play and have a strategy to combat the Crusaders, but their focus has primarily been on their own game.

“Our game will be the same as we have played throughout the tournament,” added De la Fuente.

“It is very emotional. We know it’s a final and there is not a team that has more desire to win it than us. We talk a lot to our younger players about the opportunity we have.

“Since we finished the Brumbies game we have all been talking about this final. Everyone in the squad and the coaching staff are working so that the processes before the game are balanced so that we can unleash in the game.

“The team has worked very hard. This final is not only for what has happened this year but for the previous four years and also, for what was done even before that.”

The team are also aware of keeping their feet on the ground and not getting ahead of themselves.

“If you believe in the processes and in what you are doing you will get results,” explained De la Fuente.

“It took us four years to reach the final of this tournament. There is a feeling among some that doing this is a goal achieved. But we know there are kids in children’s clubs who are wearing the Jaguares shirts and who identify with us. That is very strong and fills you with pride when you see that happen.”