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'We knew at some point we were going to beat the All Blacks': Matera on historic 2020 result
Crusaders new blindside flanker Pablo Matera has opened up about the Pumas historic first ever win over the All Blacks in 2020 during his appearance on the Aotearoa Rugby Pod.
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The Pumas star joined the panel to discuss his move to New Zealand with the Crusaders, the Jaguares and why Argentina struggled last season in 2021.
During the discussion, the Pumas’ 2020 upset over the All Blacks came up where Matera described the feeling within the side and how he had been apart of so many losing sides before that test.
Matera starred in the game coming up with three turnovers as New Zealand struggled to deal with the ferocity of the Pumas back row. The tone was set early in the game when Matera stood up to referee Angus Gardner to proclaim that the All Blacks need to show respect the Pumas.
His famous ‘I play for my country’ line became a defining memory of the day that encapsulated the passion of Argentina that overwhelmed the All Blacks. Matera explained that the Pumas ‘knew at some point’ they would beat New Zealand, they just didn’t know when.
“That was huge. We knew at some point we were going to beat the All Blacks, we just didn’t know when,” he explained.
“And I didn’t know if I was going to be there. There were so many players that came before me and tried to beat the All Blacks and were so close.
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“We tied once in 1985, and I think Scott, Razor, scored a try [in 2001] in the last minute or minute 82 and we lost the game 24-20.”
Matera revealed he would push through injury just to play in every test against the All Blacks just in case it was finally the day that Argentina got their first ever win.
“And every time we prepared for a game against the All Blacks we said ‘Maybe this is going to be the day’ so we’d go there and do our best, try to do everything perfect and maybe [that would] be the day,” he said.
“So there were a lot of times where maybe I was not fit enough to play but I was just saying ‘I need to play this game, maybe this is going to be the time’ and maybe when it was less expected [in 2020], because we hadn’t been together training for a month and playing rugby for a month, when it was less expected and we didn’t have any pressure of a result or anything, things just happened and we got our first victory.
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“It was something really big and I’m really grateful to be able to be a part of the team that finally beat the All Blacks.”
Comments on RugbyPass
The Crusaders can't buy a win this season. Surely Penney's contract won't be renewed. There's still enough talent in the squad that they oughta be winning more.
1 Go to commentsABs captain for 23 seasons. Decent record. Surely nobody will surpass it. Legend. But alas a typo…
1 Go to commentsJust FYI Rugbypass, I for one am tired of your clickbait titles and thumbnails and will be clicking them no longer. Good day.
1 Go to commentsI think Farrell despite all of the stick he gets in the media is still one of if not the best fly half in the world. He is literally the full package. He can kick one of the best in the world, probably has the best defensive game of a fly half in the world and if he wants to he can run, take contact and find an offload to keep the pace of the attack. I dont know why he isnt spoken more about still being one of the best in the world with the likes of dupont. Farrell is the ultimate captain and team leader and is experienced- he has been in nearly any situation you can think of. I still believe due to these reasons that he is England’s best ever player and is still one of the best players in the world.
48 Go to commentsBlues are dominating up front and that’s been a long time coming. They have won the up front confrontation which is where canes, hilanders and act brumbies are also strong.
3 Go to commentsJust watched brumbies v safas game sadly not a show in he’ll thryr anywhere near quarters or semi contention. Admittedly some issues around new comers bot what stands out for me is coaching management, poor game planning and accuracy.
5 Go to commentsOne tough SOB!
16 Go to commentsI’ve put on 4/5 kilos since the beginning of the season too. Not good kilos. Bad kilos.
3 Go to commentsSurely there’s a ‘no knobheads’ policy ?
2 Go to commentsWallaroos have no chance of beating the Black Ferns unless Canada upsets them in Christchurch tomorrow but I doubt that as well!
1 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Could the victim do a course to reverse the long term CTE damage from the cheapshot?
2 Go to commentsTruely great player. In social media and opinion pieces he was held up and flogged for the results. People wanted someone to crucify, and he was the captain. He was still an immense presence respected by his peers. His battles with Siya Kolisi belong up with with Collins vs Burger in my opinion. Unlucky to be carded in the final, but I don’t agree that his red card was the defining moment. Not when you look at the dominant performances of the Springboks (PSDT in particular.) I think Cane should be remembered for the spirit and physicality that is special to test rugby.
16 Go to commentsSam was the man until he got injured .
16 Go to comments_Crusaders versus Leinster _at the moment might be a rout! But I would like to see the Blues play Toulouse, the Hurricanes front up against Stade Francais, and the Chiefs go against Toulon.
157 Go to commentsLove it when we overlap! Promise it was not forethought.
19 Go to commentsjfc can this guy plz stay out of the news for one week
2 Go to commentsIf stormers aren’t available. Based on form and likely availability at the time of the wales Test, you’d think Masuku would be a no-brainer to start. But starting Jordan also makes sense having Masuku come off the bench to close out the game.
2 Go to commentsGlad Tom Curry not playing needs time to recover such a great player also his brother Ben how well is he playing now .
1 Go to commentsLet’s examine what might be irking the brainless E: Up until 20 years before this coming Julys tests: 16 games: 14 wins for SA; 1 win for Ire; 1 draw From 20 years until July’ tests Ireland V SA: 13 matches Ireland won 8; SA won 4; 1 draw Points scored Ireland 261; SA 189 Ave Winning Margin: Ireland 11 points; SA 4 points (away 3, home 6) Away win record: Ireland 33.33%; SA 25% Neutral matches 1: Ireland win RWC France 2023. Last SA win June 2016 (8 years ago) They boast 3 World cups in that period (they do boast). The above record is not good, probably not much better than theirs against NZ for same period. That’s why the dopey E is starting fights in his head. He will probably ship a yellow when things don’t go their way in the first test.
127 Go to commentsGoode is like a wet fart on The Rugby Pod and should be shoved aside. Jim knows what he is on about and can get on better without Goode’s nasty little cheap shots.
127 Go to comments