(AFP) - Japan's Sunwolves stunned the Jaguares 36-28 in a pulsating clash of Super Rugby expansion teams on Saturday to post their first win after a miserable run of seven successive defeats.

It was a victory made in Samoa as flyhalf Tusi Pisi kept the Tokyo side in the game against the explosive Argentinians, booting 18 points, including the go-ahead penalty eight minutes from time.

The Sunwolves have endured a torrid first season in Super Rugby, with last week's humiliating 92-17 defeat by the Cheetahs marking yet another low.

The Jaguares, who boast 13 of the Argentina side that reached last year's World Cup semi-finals, looked set to snap a six-match losing streak as they opened a 13-8 half-time lead.

Captain Agustin Creevy crashed over early before Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino and Emiliano Boffelli added brilliant tries, but Juan Martin Hernandez missed all three conversions - which was to prove costly.

A converted try from Facundo Isa gave the visitors a 25-16 advantage before the Sunwolves, roared on by their army of howling fans, came storming back, sparked by a slashing try from New Zealander Derek Carpenter.

Pisi, who is set to join English second-tier club Bristol at the end of the season, held his nerve to fire the Sunwolves back in front 29-28 before Harumichi Tatekawa burst over with the final play to trigger wild scenes at the buzzer.