Ramiro Moyano scored a superb try as the Jaguares of Argentina continued a great start to the Super Rugby season by defeating Queensland Reds of Australia 22-8 Saturday.
The winger side-stepped numerous opponents in a dazzling run from midfield before accelerating to the line at Estadio Jose Amalfitani in Buenos Aires.
His try was the highlight of a bruising battle won by the home team although they had far less possession and defended grimly for much of the second half.
The Argentine outfit have won four of five matches this season — a huge improvement on four victories and 11 losses last year when they debuted in the competition.
Winger Eto Nabuli and lock Kane Douglas were sin-binned within 60 seconds during the opening half, leaving the Reds to play nine minutes with 13 men.
Jaguares winger Bautista Ezcurra was yellow-carded midway through the second half with his side clinging to a 14-point advantage.
The South Americans lie second in a tight Africa 2 table, one point behind 2016 runners-up Golden Lions and one ahead of another South African franchise, Coastal Sharks.
After winning their first match this season, the Brisbane-based Reds have lost four in a row with a two-match tour of South Africa and Argentina yielding no points.
“We expected a tough match and got one,” Reds and Wallabies skipper and hooker Stephen Moore told reporters.
“Losing four matches in a row is obviously disappointing and we need to get home and sort things out.
“We had a number of young players in our matchday 23 and I hope they have gained from the experience of playing in Argentina.”
Reds made seven changes from the starting line-up that lost at the Lions last weekend with injured skipper and prop James Slipper and suspended fly-half Quade Cooper among those missing.
It does not get any easier for the Australians next weekend as they host the defending champions, Wellington Hurricanes of New Zealand.
The Argentines built a 12-point advantage through two tries, one of which fly-half Juan Martin Hernandez converted, before he and Jake McIntyre slotted penalties and the hosts led 15-3 at half-time.
Centre Jeronimo de la Fuente scored his second try of the match, which Hernandez converted, to stretch the advantage to 19 points before Reds No. 8 Scott Higginbotham dived over in the corner.
The Jaguares have a bye next weekend.
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