All Blacks on high alert: 'When Pablo turns up, Argentina turn up'

The All Blacks have a familiar ‘frenemy’ in their sights in round one of the Rugby Championship, knowing that silencing Los Pumas’ talismanic flanker Pablo Matera will be key to victory in Córdoba.

The 32-year-old donned the red and black of the Crusaders in 2022 under now All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson, contributing to a dominant title run that saw the Argentine lift silverware under the bright lights of Eden Park.

The 104-cap Pumas enforcer captained his national side to victory over the All Blacks in Wellington last year, and will again be wearing the No.6 jersey when they play host this weekend. By his side will be the hard-hitting Marcos Kremer and rising star Joaquín Oviedo, forming a destructive loose forward trio.

The All Blacks have opted to continue with Tupou Vaa’i at No. 6 for the Test, with Du’Plessis Kirifi and Ardie Savea bringing dogged dynamism and breakdown nous at No.7 and 8, respectively.

The battle of the loose forwards was highlighted at the All Blacks team naming press conference on Thursday evening.

“Obviously, my friend Pablo, when Pablo turns up, Argentina turn up,” the Kiwi coach told reporters. “He’s a hell of a player, and obviously, Kremer’s very physical and tough. That’ll be a big battle.

“Tupou Vaa’i has transitioned beautifully into six, and Kirifi’s just starting his career, but he can have a lot of presence at the breakdown, and these are the nights that you want to see someone like him go head-to-head.”

Kirifi is just three games into his Test career, but the 28-year-old has just shy of 100 Super Rugby games under his belt and has looked comfortable in his minutes in the black jersey to date.

The Kiwi loose trio will pack down behind a tight five that is missing two premier props in Tamaiti Williams and Tyrel Lomax. However, both Ethan de Groot and Fletcher Newell have started the international season in strong form.

The low numbers will want to find the upper hand early to set the tone for what promises to be a tight Rugby Championship.

“Well, set piece in any Test match is critical. If you get a great set piece, you can create the opportunity to kick and put pressure. Their kicking game is great; they’re extremely well-coached in that regard. And they execute it, they can put you in the corners.

“We know how aggressive they are, and they’re good, hard on the ball at the breakdown too.”

When asked how he’s preparing his side mentally for the contest, a big grin came across Robertson’s face.

“We went to the soccer. The football. It was just a wee reminder of the passion, when they start singing, how important momentum is. They can get a lot of momentum, the Argentinians, from the energy of the crowd.

“That’s what we understand. That’s why we’re here, that’s what we love. South America, you’ve got that passion, and we understand that we’ve got to turn up.”