Cards, rugby, ‘really good meat’ – Matera’s lessons Down Under

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

Pablo Matera

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 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 Up and Down the Creek with teammates, 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, 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.’’

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