Argentina’s players were thankful to the All Blacks for their special tribute to honour football legend Diego Maradona before the Tri-Nations Test.
Captain Sam Cane laid an All Black jersey – number 10 – on the field before the start of their Test against Argentina.
As the All Blacks lined up to perform the haka, Cane stepped out, walked toward midfield and laid down the jersey – with Maradona’s name and number on it – as Argentine players stood arm-in-arm and watched.
“It was a gesture, a token, of paying our respects to an Argentine legend, a world legend in his field as well,” Cane said after the match, which New Zealand won 38-0.
Maradona died on Wednesday of a heart attack at age 60 in a house outside Buenos Aires. The football great had been recovering from a brain operation.
The idea for the tribute came from All Blacks halfback TJ Perenara, Cane said.
“Rugby is a game first and foremost that is built on respect I believe, and it was the respectful and right thing to do,” Cane said.
Several Argentine players nodded in appreciation of the gesture.
“I didn’t know (about the tribute) until I did the coin toss with Sam Cane and he told me about it,” Pumas flanker Pablo Matera said.
“I’m really thankful for that. Diego Maradona was obviously huge for Argentina, so I’m really thankful for that gesture from the All Blacks.”
Matera said that Maradona’s passing had been a source of inspiration for many of the squad.
“Maradona was a guy who represented our country the best way you could represent us as a sportsman,” Matera said.
“He’s been a huge inspiration for all of us: players, coaches, the people of Argentina.
“So we always have him in our thoughts and we just want to represent our country the way he did.”
piru
Roar Rookie
Not sure how showing respect to a player is "PC" I mean this is one of the few times "Virtue Signalling" might have actually been the correct term, if you'd decided you thought there was no feeling behind the gesture and it was pure lip service
piru
Roar Rookie
Do they make a show of respect to water polo, croquet or other niche sports? Where does it end?
ozziedude
Roar Rookie
Not totally, there was an underhanded element.
ozziedude
Roar Rookie
Lmao spanner..
javi strs
Roar Rookie
If so, it turned out very well. Argentina's political left wing wants to bring the Pumas to their knees. If they succeed, they will see Matera very proud to play for Uruguay.
Panana split
Roar Rookie
hahaha what a joke of a comment
Panana split
Roar Rookie
it was a show of respect you pork chop
Pete
Guest
Yeahhh leaguies still continue to rubbish rugby when they can over 115 years...
Riccardo
Roar Rookie
I read your inflammatory commentary. Sadly, it has shown no signs of maturing to discourse. You should probably sod off...
Malotru
Roar Rookie
So gracious dude.
Diesel 2.0
Roar Rookie
That was a good gesture by Cane. The AB's were staying true to the mantra "Good people make Good All Blacks".
P2R2
Roar Rookie
REALLY....what a shallow POV...
P2R2
Roar Rookie
Class...pure CLASS...
Lux Interior
Roar Rookie
The moment was partially lost on me as I got a speck of dust in each eyeball, causing a moist blurriness.
Rhys Bosley
Roar Pro
I thought it was a nice thing of the ABs to do and it is no surprise that TJ Perenara thought of it, he is always such a gentleman. Argentinians seem like a passionately patriotic people, so I am sure the gesture from such an outstanding sporting team meant a great deal to them
Paulo
Roar Rookie
We would roll a cricket ball across to them, I thought that would have been obvious?
INT
Guest
A backbone if you prefer
Micko
Roar Rookie
Ian?
ozziedude
Roar Rookie
Cheese
ozziedude
Roar Rookie
Cringe factor off the scale....