‘Ouch!’: Stunned reaction to Brumbies 39-7 semi-final shocker

The sad state of the game in Australia was rammed home as our last surviving Super Rugby team was sent packing in humiliating fashion.

Brumbies players react. (Photo by Marcelo Endelli/Getty Images)

A diabolical start cost the Brumbies any chance of spot in the Super Rugby final after they were thrashed 39-7 by the Jaguares in Buenos Aires on Saturday morning (AEST).

The Jaguares were playing in their first semi-final but showed no sign of nerves in front of a fever-pitch crowd and were almost flawless in the first half.

It was always going to be tough for the Brumbies against a team boasting 14 Test players in their starting side, and a further 185 international caps on the bench.

But the visitors simply didn’t turn up and looked lacklustre from the opening whistle as the 30-hour trip from Canberra to Argentina appeared to have taken a toll.

The Brumbies were riding a seven-game winning streak heading into the contest, but that scintillating form which took them to the finals was nowhere to be seen.

Brumbies hooker Folau Faingaa had his worst game of the season and lost an inconceivable five lineouts in the opening 25 minutes.

Brumbies never clicked..bungled 1st half lineouts, dropped ball, out kicked, anxious under pressure from an excellent @JaguaresARG side.39-7

— Jim Tucker (@HulaBulaJim) June 29, 2019

The Brumbies will look back and wonder what if. That was their biggest loss of the year. For whatever reason, it just didn't happen for them in Buenos Aires.
Massive changing of the guard coming up next year.

— Chris Dutton (@BlockaDutton) June 29, 2019

They roared into the semi-finals and went out with a whimper in the club's heaviest finals defeat. A disappointing finish for the Brumbies, but hats off to the Jaguares - 39-7 winners and into a maiden final. #JAGvBRU #SuperRugby

— Caden Helmers (@cadenhelmers) June 29, 2019

And so it ends for @BrumbiesRugby and Aussie Rugby in SR 2019. Brumbies were never allowed to get into their stride in BA and @JaguaresARG were in control from the KO. 39-7. Brums biggest ever loss in a Semi. @FOXRUGBY

— Greg Clark (@greg_clarkie) June 29, 2019

Jaguares are into their first Super Rugby grand final, defeating the Brumbies 39-7. Biggest playoff defeat in Brumbies’ history and heaviest loss of 2019 #JAGvBRU

— Jamie Pandaram (@JamiePandaram) June 29, 2019

The Jaguares scored the opener after a mix up between Rob Valetini and Toni Pulu saw a kick shoot through the last line of defence and the former Brumbies player Tomas Cubelli swooped.

It proved a sign of things to come.

Joaquin Diaz Bonilla booted back-to-back penalties, both won after lost Brumbies’ lineouts, as the Jaguares raced to a 13-0 lead.

The Brumbies’ polish of the past two months had well and truly worn off, with the visitors making basic errors as the clinical Jaguares made the most of their chances.

The next mistake came from No. 8 Lachlan McCaffrey, when he was caught isolated on the blind side and the Jaguares punched the corner from the ensuing penalty.

A few phases later and lock Tomas Lavanini barged over to score. Just like that, it was 20-0 after 20 minutes.

Sebastian Cancelliere of the Jaguares celebrates. (Photo by Marcelo Endelli/Getty Images)

The Brumbies scored a crucial try through Faingaa on the stroke of halftime, but it proved a false dawn as the mistakes continued in the second half.

Brumbies skipper Christian Lealiifano tried to grubber through on 50 minutes, but it was defused by Matias Moroni who sprinted 50m before finding Matias Orlando to score.

Orlando scored his second after bursting through tired defenders on 62 minutes before fullback Emiliano Boffelli scored aturnover try in the dying moments. Bonilla finished with a perfect six from six off the tee.

New Zealand referee Mike Fraser had a night to forget but the Jaguares thoroughly deserved the win and will face the Crusaders or Hurricanes in the final.

Brumbies full back Thomas Banks. (Photo by ALEJANDRO PAGNI / AFP)

Originally published as ‘Ouch!’: Stunned reaction to Brumbies 39-7 semi-final shocker