Rugby: Travel starting to take its toll on Jaguares

Agusti'n Creevy of Jaguares. Photo / Getty

Super Rugby strains are starting to bite the Jaguares.

Five games into their debut season, players are being rested as the travel and playing demands become a reality.

Captain Agustin Creevy heads a list of 10 players left behind in Buenos Aries to recover while their teammates play the Blues this round in Albany then the Hurricanes in Wellington.

The group left at home, including wing Santiago Cordero who suffered slight injuries in a recent car accident, is then expected to join the Jaguars for their next matches in Christchurch and Tokyo.

Coach Paul Perez has made five changes to his pack and four in the backline for the Blues match on Saturday.

Halfback Martin Landajo will captain the side and said the team had completed a strong review of their last loss to the Stormers and was up for the next challenge after the travel.

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"We are eager to reverse some things and have a good match with the Blues, "he said.

"We play to win, always, but the important thing is to keep improving the game, adapt to this tournament and the kids grow up . All this has to lead to Jaguares can make good rugby. "

The brief interval between games was part of the deal in this tournament and the Jaguares had to sharpen their focus and get sorted for their next task.

Travel schedules are a significant part of the Super rugby series with the Jaguares itinerary reflecting those issues.

They travelled from Argentina to South Africa to play opening games in Bloemfontein and Durban before having a bye before two games in Buenos Aires.

They have flown to New Zealand to play the Blues, Hurricanes and Crusaders, then travel to Tokyo then home for two games split by their second bye.

It's back on the plane then for matches in Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth then back home for their last three games.