Cards, food, rugby: Matera’s lessons

matches]. I’ve worked extremely hard over the last 12 months to improve my batting and my power game for T20 cricket and felt I had a good Super Smash [domestic] series.

‘‘The most recent T20 game for the White Ferns [against India in Queenstown in February] I was player of the match. To be sat there and told, it’s hard to take. You respect what they’re doing and they’ve decided a change is needed and a different direction is going to be taken.’’

Tahuhu had bounced back from setbacks throughout her career and believed she still had a lot to contribute to the White Ferns. Her hunger and desire to play cricket at the elite level remained strong.

She was looking at possible T20 franchise opportunities overseas and would be concentrating on off-season training with Canterbury.

‘‘I’ve come back before from numerous setbacks and this is just another one I’ll be looking to tackle and hopefully get back out there and play again for my country.’’

Tahuhu was saddened by the way Satterthwaite, a New Zealand women’s cricket great, had been treated and believed it could have been handled far better.

After 15 years of international cricket, it was upsetting Satterthwaite had simply been told she wouldn’t be receiving a national contract and wasn’t in the White Ferns’ future plans.

‘‘I think that’s probably one of the things for her and for us as a family that has been hard to come to terms with is that she wasn’t even given the respect of a conversation of asking what her plans are for the next six-to12 to-18 months . . .

‘‘You’d expect a bit of a conversation to have occurred, a two-way street, instead of being sat down and informed.’’

Being in a team loaded with All Blacks has forced Pablo Matera to have a rethink.

Before loose forward Matera, who has played 78 tests for Argentina, joined the Crusaders on a one-year contract he relied on surfing an emotional wave to get ‘up’ for games.

Now, as the Crusaders prepare to host the Super Rugby Pacific season quarterfinal in Christchurch next weekend Matera, 28, can understand the value of not allowing the heart to overrule the head.

It’s not that Matera had an insular view of the rugby world prior to his arrival; after four seasons with the Jaguares, he joined French club Stade Francais in 2019 until he returned to the southern hemisphere competition via the Crusaders.

Being surrounded by All Blacks in Christchurch has enabled Matera, who captained Argentina to a historic first win over the All Blacks in Sydney in 2020, to absorb key lessons.

One of the biggest differences, he has noticed, is how the New Zealanders rely on extensive homework as part of their preparation.

‘‘In Argentina, sometimes we work on passion first and then we start talking about details,’’ Matera says.

‘‘But I think [it needs] to be the other way around. You have to have a good plan, work on the details and then when you add the passion – that’s your extra.

‘‘I look at rugby a little more analytically

Mo’unga re-signs for 2023

Richie Mo’unga’s fresh one-year deal with NZ Rugby has bolstered the All Blacks’ playmaker options for next year’s World Cup in France.

First five-eighth Mo’unga, 28, yesterday confirmed he will remain in New Zealand for another season. He has also recommitted to the Crusaders and Canterbury.

While the decision wasn’t unexpected and there had been no indication Mo’unga was considering offshore offers, All

Pablo Matera

now, more tactically. Going hard, that is always going to be there. But we need to start putting a little more detail on it.’’

Barring injury, Matera is likely to be a starting member of the Crusaders back row for the playoffs as he searches for his maiden Super Rugby title.

He came close in 2019, when the Jaguares made the final but lost 19-3 to the Crusaders in Christchurch. Despite his side being beaten, few could argue Matera didn’t deserve the man of the match award, given

Blacks and Crusaders coaches Ian Foster and Scott Robertson would have welcomed confirmation that the influential playmaker was staying in New Zealand.

Foster now has two experienced No 10s locked in for the World Cup, with Beauden Barrett committed to NZ Rugby through to the end of 2023.

Mo’unga has played 32 tests since his debut as a substitute against France in 2017. his output on that bitterly cold evening at Orangetheory Stadium.

He’s uncertain if he will return to the Crusaders in 2023, but does confirm coach Scott Robertson has given him the option.

Last weekend Matera received a new award at the Crusaders, which recognised, among other things, his commitment and determination.

That, Matera says, was unexpected: ‘‘It was a really emotional moment for me. With how many people help me around here, just to settle down and find my rhythm and

Go to stuff.co.nz for coverage of last night’s match between the Crusaders and Reds.

‘‘Going hard, that is always going to be there. But we need to start putting a little more detail on it.’’

become a better player.’’

There have been pleasant surprises off the field, too. The outdoor activities in Canterbury, learning to play card games such as Up and Down the Creek with team-mates, and the food are among them.

‘‘When you are in Argentina, you just want to eat Argentine meat. Then I came here, and I realised that you guys have really good meat, and really good food.’’

Matera, who lost the Pumas captaincy in late 2020 following historic xenophobic comments on social media, has been in contact with their new coach Michael Cheika who has replaced Mario Ledesma.

The Pumas will play three tests against Scotland in Argentina in July, their first fixtures at home since the pandemic, before focusing on the Rugby Championship.

Matera is looking forward to getting into scrapes against his Crusaders mates in the All Blacks when they square off in Christchurch and Hamilton.

‘‘Now it is going to be different, knowing half the team,’’ he says.

‘‘We are going to go hard, as always, but it is going to be awesome to catch-up after the game or maybe during the week for a coffee.

‘‘I am going to be the local, so I am already thinking where is the best place to take them and show them around because it is a beautiful city.’’