NRL clubs urged to chase Rugby Championship star after All Blacks match

Former Argentina winger Horacio Agulla has urged NRL outfits South Sydney Rabbitohs and New Zealand Warriors have a look at Pumas flanker Pablo Matera after their victory over the All Blacks in round two of the Rugby Championship.

The 32-year-old registered the fourth victory over the All Blacks of his career on Saturday, as the Pumas avenged their round one defeat to beat Scott Robertson’s side 29-23 in Buenos Aires.

Matera led the charge against the world number ones, making a match-leading 18 carries in the victory to go with his two turnovers, another leading match statistic.

The volume of carries only tells half the story, however, as it was the ferocity of the 109-cap international’s runs that damaged the All Blacks so much. One only needs to look at his carry from the base of the scrum at the hour mark which allowed scrum-half Gonzalo Garcia to dot over for a try to get an idea of the kind of damage he did to New Zealand’s defensive line, and the momentum it gave his side.

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Just days later, the former Leicester Tigers wing took to X to say he wouldn’t be surprised if his compatriot was “flooded with offers” from the NRL, as the brutality of his carries, and perhaps his upright style of carrying, would be well-suited in rugby league.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if Pablito Matera gets flooded with offers from the NRL after the game he played against the All Blacks. An absolute beast. Eyes up,” Agulla wrote.

A transfer is unlikely to materialise and the Argentina national team would do everything in their power to ensure the loose forward remains available for years to come. In the short term, the Pumas may be fourth in the Rugby Championship table, but are only two points behind the All Blacks at the top, with everything to play for.