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'Really sad': Pablo Matera opens up on Jaguares' axing from Super Rugby
Two years after nearly leading the Jaguares to a breakthrough Super Rugby title, Pablo Matera is thankful to be back in the southern hemisphere’s leading club competition.
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Only this time, he will be suiting up for the team that denied his Argentine compatriots what would have been their maiden – and only – piece of Super Rugby silverware in 2019.
Few would have envisaged Matera, then the inspirational Jaguares skipper, jumping ship to join the Crusaders after captaining the Buenos Aires side to a runner-up finish as the hosts clinched their third straight title with a 19-3 final victory in Christchurch.
Then again, not many would have foreseen the imminent downfall of the Jaguares in the wake of Covid-19 early last year.
Not only did the global pandemic spell the demise of Argentina’s sole professional rugby team, it also brought an end to the Sunwolves out of Japan, and Super Rugby as we knew it at that point in time.
Off went the South African franchises to Europe’s rebranded United Rugby Championship, and into Super Rugby oblivion went the Jaguares and Sunwolves.
Those omissions from the competition has paved a new path for Super Rugby, now known as Super Rugby Pacific, a 12-team competition comprised of Kiwi and Australian teams, as well as the Fijian Drua and Moana Pasifika.
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Excitement is understandably brimming at the prospect of the league’s new chapter – which will finally see Pacific Island involvement after more than a quarter of a century of neglect – following two seasons of makeshift domestic campaigns.
However, Super Rugby’s abrupt loss of the Jaguares still hurts Matera, especially as they were discarded from the competition when they were seemingly beginning to reach the peak of their powers.
The 2019 final in Christchurch proved to be Matera’s final game for the Jaguares as he subsequently joined Top 14 club Stade Francais, but he couldn’t have anticipated that that match would also be the franchise’s seventh-last in existence at Super Rugby level.
Just six games into their 2020 campaign, Super Rugby was brought to a halt, with their March 14 home fixture against the Highlanders cancelled on the eve of kick-off amid growing concerns about the virus.
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The Jaguares never took to the field again, something of which Matera, who watched his former side reduced from title contenders to an afterthought of the competition in the space of eight months, said made for upsetting viewing.
Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson has provided an update on Richie Mo’unga’s availability for the beginning of next year’s Super Rugby Pacific campaign. #SuperRugbyPacific #Crusaders https://t.co/Ko9d07gCsY
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) December 15, 2021
“It was really sad, to be honest,” the 28-year-old Los Pumas star told reporters in Christchurch on Tuesday.
“In Argentina, being part of Super Rugby was massive, really, really big, and it helped us a lot in our rugby as well. We were all training together, playing together, a lot of young guys being able to play really good rugby in Argentina.
“From one day to another, the game was cancelled because of Covid. We were playing against the Highlanders at home, and we never, ever played again. Everyone had to start looking for clubs and went to Europe, so the team [disappeared].”
Fortunately, Matera’s international teammates have rebounded by landing playing gigs all over the globe, some of whom even returned to Super Rugby for the Western Force and Melbourne Rebels this year.
Matera will be joined by just one other Argentine in Super Rugby Pacific next year in the form of Western Force prop Santiago Medrano, but he is just pleased that all those involved in the Jaguares have landed themselves contracts following their messy exit from the competition.
“From one day to another, it was quite hard. It is what it is now. Looking forward, I’m really happy everyone found a club and is playing good rugby, so I’m sure, in the future, it’s going to be another new opportunity and the team is going to be fine.”
Matera’s pride in the Jaguares is still evident in the way in which he speaks about the club and how they were just one win away from making history by breaking the Crusaders’ dynasty and earning a Super Rugby title for Argentina.
“It was unbelievable. We played for each other. We struggled at the beginning, and being able to, in our last year, play the Crusaders here in the final against the best team, it was quite awesome,” the 80-test veteran said of the 2019 Super Rugby final.
“We also maybe lost the biggest opportunity of our lives to really be champions, so it was hard as well, so I hope I have another opportunity.”
The Crusaders have finally unveiled new signing Pablo Matera eight months after announcing they had signed him, but the Los Pumas star is simply relieved to be in Christchurch. #Crusaders #SuperRugbyPacific https://t.co/ICWSt6S7fE
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) December 14, 2021
Given the Crusaders’ dominance in recent times – they have won five championships in as many years since 2017 – Matera is well-positioned for another title tilt.
That excites head coach Scott Robertson, who revealed his realisation of how good a player Matera was came when he produced a scintillating piece of play during the 2019 final.
“Remember that grubber? You put that little kick in down the sideline. That was beautiful. That’s when I thought, ‘Jeez, he can really play’,” Robertson said on Tuesday.
“It’s until someone’s played your own team, you don’t realise how good they are. There were a few nods in the coaching box and it was just full respect to him.”
Robertson added that the arrival of an international star of Matera’s calibre has created a buzz at the Crusaders, adding an extra spring in their step as they target a sixth consecutive title.
“I think that’s the great thing about rugby and footy, that we can do it, that Super teams in New Zealand are allowed to have foreign players come in,” Robertson said.
“It just adds to the diversity and excitement. There’s more cameras here than most media sessions, so it just shows how important it is and it just sort of transcends not just your own country, but the sport itself.
“Everyone’s excited, ‘Is Pablo here?’, and, ‘How tall is he?’, and, ‘How big is he?’, and, ‘How’s his English?’. Good English, isn’t he? That’s important as well, but it’s just great for a team. It keeps us fresh.”
Comments on RugbyPass
I know Leinster did a job on La Roche but shortly after HT Leinster were 30-13 ahead of them and at a similar time Toulouse were trailing Exeter. At 60 mins Leinster were 27 ahead but after 67 mins Toulouse were only 19 ahead before Exeter collapsed. That’s heavier scoring by Leinster against the Champions. I think people are looking at Toulouses total a little too much. I also think Northhampton are in with a real chance, albeit I’d put Leinster as favourites. If Leinster make the final I expect them to win by more than ten and with control.
2 Go to commentsHey Nick, your match analysis is decent but the top and tail not so much, a bit more random. For a start there’s a seismic difference in regenerating any club side over a test team. EJ pretty much had to urinate with the appendage he’d been given at test level whereas club success is impacted hugely by the budget. Look no further than Boudjellal’s Toulon project for a perfect example. The set ups at La Rochelle and Leinster are like chalk and cheese and you are correct that Leinster are ahead. Leinster are not just slightly ahead though, they are light years ahead on their plans, with the next gen champions cup team already blooded, seasoned and developing at speed from their time manning the fort in the URC while the cream play CC and tests. They have engineered a strong talent conveyor belt into their system, supported by private money funnelled into a couple of Leinster private schools. The really smart move from Leinster and the IRFU however is maximising the Irish Revenue tax breaks (tax relief on the best 10 years earnings refunded at retirement) to help keep all of their stars in Ireland and happy, while simultaneously funding marquee players consistently. And of course Barrett is the latest example. But in no way is he a “replacement for Henshaw”, he’s only there for one season!!! As for Rob Baxter, the best advice you can give him is to start lobbying Parliament and HMRC for a similar state subsidy, but don’t hold your breath… One thing Cullen has been very smart with is his coaching team. Very quickly he realised his need to supplement his skills, there was talk of him exiting after his first couple of years but he was extremely shrewd bringing in Lancaster and now Nienaber. That has worked superbly and added a layer that really has made a tangible difference. Apart from that you were bang on the money… 😉😂
2 Go to commentsNot sure exactly what went wrong for him at Glasgow but it’s pretty clear he ain’t Franco’s cup of tea. Suspect he would have been better served heading out of Scotland around the same time as Finn, Hoggy and Jonny!
1 Go to commentsBulls disrespected the Northampton supporters and the competition. Decide quickly, fully in or out.
24 Go to commentsI wonder if Parling was ever on England’s radar as a coach? Obviously Borthwick is a great lineout coach, but I do worry he might be taking on too much as both head coach and forwards coach.
1 Go to commentsJason Jenkins has one cap. When Etzebeth was his age he had over 80 caps. Experience matters. He will never amount to what Etzebeth has because he hasn’t been developed as an international player.
2 Go to commentsSays much about the player picking this gig over the easier and bigger rewards offered to him in Japan. Also says a lot about the state sanctioned tax benefits the Irish Revenue offers pro rugby players, with their ten highest earning years subject to an additional 40% tax relief and paid as a lump sum, in cash, at retirement. Certainly helps Leinster line up the financial ducks in a row to fund marquee signings like this!!! No other union anywhere in world rugby benefits from this kind of lucrative financial sponsorship from their government…
5 Go to commentsTrue Jordie could earn a lot more in Japan. But by choosing Leinster he’ll be playing with 1 of the best clubs in the world and can win a champions cup and URC…..
6 Go to commentsThanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
24 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
11 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
80 Go to commentsPot Kettle, the English and French teams have done it for years.
24 Go to commentsHas virtually played every minute of previous games. Back row of Li Lo Willie , Grace and Blackadder would be the 1. Crusaders issue is a very average 1st 5 who cannot run. Kicking in general play is also below par They need to put Yong Kemara in. He must have so.e talent for them to bring him down from Waikato. Hoehepa would struggle to play in so.e club sided
11 Go to commentsI hope this a good thing making all these changes!
3 Go to commentsThe Hurricanes are good, especially with a decent coach now. However, let’s be real, the Crusaders and Chiefs are clearly a good degree weaker without the players they’ve lost overseas now. The Canes lost one player. It’s also why the aussie teams ‘seem’ to be stronger.
9 Go to commentsOr you could develop your own players instead of constantly taking from the SH competition and weakening it in the process? With all the player and financial resources these unions have compared to SH countries you’d think they could manage that, or is weakening the SH comps and their national sides an added bonus? Probably.
3 Go to commentsNot so fast Aaron, we might need you in black yet lol. God knows he’d be a lot less nerve-racking than hot and (very) cold players like Perofeta. It’s really a shame Reuben Love isn’t playing 10, we’ve got enough 15 options.
4 Go to commentsAnd those from the NH still seem to be puzzled (and delighted) why NZ’s depth isn’t what it once was. Over 600 NZ players overseas, that’s insane. This sort of deal is why Super Rugby coaches have admitted they struggle now to find enough quality to fill out their squads.
6 Go to comments