Agustin Creevy says the Jaguares now believe they can win every time they take to the pitch regardless of the opposition – and that includes Saturday’s Super Rugby final against the Crusaders.
The Argentine team have reached the final in their fourth season in the competition but will be rank outsiders when they take on the nine-time champions at their Christchurch fortress.
Former captain Creevy, however, said the strides the Jaguares have made since their 2016 debut means they will approach the match confident they can hand the Crusaders a first ever home play-off defeat.
“It’s not impossible,” said the inspirational hooker.
“We came here to win, not to see what happens. We have what it takes to do that and we know how.
“The Crusaders are the best team in the tournament and have shown that but there is no such thing as impossible in sport, nor in a final where the mental side of the game and pressure are at work.
“Beyond the attributes of each side, the difference will be in the head. We know it’ll be difficult, but we are confident and we know what to expect.”
Creevy, a veteran of 83 Test matches in a team made up entirely of Argentine internationals, said the speed of progression at the Jaguares had surprised even him.
“Maybe I thought we were going to take a little longer to get there and that’s why I’m very grateful to be part of this great moment,” he said.
“We got here because we have matured in every way. Before we would go out on the field and just see what happened but now we know we can win every match.”
After finishing 13th and 10th in their first two seasons, the Jaguares made their debut in the play-offs last year, falling at the first hurdle to the Lions in Johannesburg.
The Jaguares won the South Africa conference this year and beat former champions the Chiefs in the quarter-finals and then the Brumbies on home soil to reach their maiden final.
“We have to play against Crusaders in Christchurch and that’s a dream, because they are a team with a lot of history just like this city. It will be a very important challenge for us,” said the 34-year-old, who has lost all 14 of the Tests he has played against the All Blacks.