Preview: Jaguares v Waratahs

The Jaguares will be desperate to turn around their dismal start to the Super Rugby season when they host the Waratahs on Saturday.

Three straight losses sees the Argentines propping up the standings while the Waratahs have won one and drawn one of their opening matches.

Defeats at the Stormers and Lions and at home to the Hurricanes aren't hugely embarrassing but it's just the lack of progress Super Rugby's newest side has made since their inception that disappoints. Another year without play-off rugby already appears to be a likely occurrence.

They simply must turn things around on Saturday and maybe, just maybe that will be the springboard for more positive results in their home run against the Reds and Lions after this. If they could claim three wins on the bounce, what a fillip that would be going into a bye week.

For the Waratahs they can be fairly happy with their opening to the season, which will have eased the pressure on head coach Daryl Gibson. A narrow win over the Stormers in Sydney was followed up by a draw at the Sharks and while they weren't fluid, six points is a good start.

The Waratahs' form outside Australia though hasn't been anywhere near good enough in recent times. In fact they are winless in their last seven games outside Australia, failing to take a single competition point in five of those matches. That should lift the Jaguares spirits.

However, the Jaguares simply must improve their defence as 109 missed tackles in three games so far this Super Rugby campaign – more than any other team – is simply not good enough and will be punished by the likes of Israel Folau and Kurtley Beale at Estadio José Amalfitani.

The last time these teams met: The Jaguares came out on top in Round 16 last year, winning 40-27 in Sydney in a high-scoring contest. The visitors scored tries through Pablo Matera, Matías Orlando, Benjamín Macome, Agustín Creevy and Matías Moroni while Nicolás Sánchez kicked 15 points. In reply the Waratahs' try scorers were Israel Folau and Bernard Foley (2), who also kicked over 12 points in a 22-point shift.

Players to watch:

For Jaguares: In tough times a captain needs to step up and Pablo Matera is charged with doing just that this weekend. He will get plenty of help from other senior players like Agustin Creevy but needs a disciplined, much-improved defensive effort from his troops if they are to turn things around at Estadio José Amalfitani.

For Waratahs: To make it two wins from three games, the 'Tahs will need the spine of their team to shine. Michael Hooper is a key link man for their forwards and backs and his work in the tackle area also makes him crucial to the visitors. If he can disrupt the Jaguares' ball and also provide an option in attack then the Waratahs will be on the right track. He'll also be looking to add to his good try-scoring form so far this season.

Team news: Jaguares have limited the changes as they look for their first victory of Super Rugby 2018. Santiago Gonzalez Iglesias replaces Bautista Ezcurra at inside centre in the only tweak to the backline after their defeat to the Hurricanes. Up front it's the same front-row but lock Tomas Lavanini comes in for Marcos Kremer, who shifts to the back-row in place of Tomas Lezana. Kremer takes Javier Ortega Desio's seven jersey as he moves into the number eight spot. Santiago Botta, Felipe Ezcurra and Joaquin Diaz Bonilla come onto the bench.

Waratahs head coach Daryl Gibson has made one change to his XV. Alex Newsome replaces Andrew Kellaway on the right wing and on the bench, hooker Tolu Latu comes in for Hugh Roach, scrum-half Nick Duffy replaces the injured Mitchell short and Taqele Naiyaravoro is in the 23.

Prediction: There's a feeling this could be the end of the drought for the hosts, especially with the Waratahs' poor form on the road. Jaguares by three.

Previous result:

2017: Jaguares won 40-27 in Sydney

The teams:

Jaguares: 15 Joaquin Tuculet, 14 Bautista Delguy, 13 Matias Orlando, 12 Santiago Gonzalez Iglesias, 11 Emiliano Boffelli, 10 Nicolas Sanchez, 9 Gonzalo Bertranou, 8 Javier Ortega Desio, 7 Marcos Kremer, 6 Pablo Matera (c), 5 Tomas Lavanini, 4 Matias Alemanno, 3 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, 2 Agustin Creevy, 1 Felipe Arregui
Replacements: 16 Julian Montoya, 17 Santiago Botta, 18 Juan Pablo Zeiss, 19 Guido Petti, 20 Juan Martin Leguizamon, 21 Felipe Ezcurra, 22 Joaquin Diaz Bonilla, 23 Sebastian Cancelliere

Waratahs: 15 Israel Folau, 14 Alex Newsome, 13 Lalakai Foketi, 12 Kurtley Beale, 11 Curtis Rona, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Jake Gordon, 8 Jed Holloway, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Michael Wells, 5 Tom Staniforth, 4 Ned Hanigan, 3 Paddy Ryan, 2 Damien Fitzpatrick, 1 Tom Robertson
Replacements: 16 Tolu Latu, 17 Harry Johnson-Holmes, 18 Kalivati Tawake, 19 Nick Palmer, 20 Will Miller, 21 Nick Duffy, 22 Bryce Hegarty, 23 Taqele Naiyaravoro

Date: Saturday, March 10
Venue: Estadio José Amalfitani Vélez Sarsfield, Buenos Aires
Kick-off: 18:40 local (21:40 GMT)
Referee: Mike Fraser (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Nick Briant (New Zealand), Pablo Deluca (Argentina)
Television match official: Santiago Borsani (Argentina)