Argentina captain Pablo Matera is set to play Super Rugby for the Christchurch, New Zealand-based Crusaders from the 2022 season.
The 27-year-old backrower, who has made 60 Test appearances for Argentina, is currently playing for Paris-based Stade Francais.
Argentina hasn’t played in Super Rugby since a tournament that involved clubs from five countries was suspended in March last year because of the coronavirus pandemic.
“We know Pablo is keen to get back to playing Super Rugby and we’re excited by the prospect of him joining us here in Christchurch in 2022,” Crusaders chairman Colin Mansbridge said Friday.
“We are still working through the finer detail of this with Pablo and his agent but we look forward to welcoming him into our environment once that is complete.”
Matera’s move to the Crusaders was heralded Thursday by news reports in Britain and France.
Matera told French newspaper Midi Olympique his move is conditional on being granted a work visa and meeting strict criteria around foreign players in Super Rugby in New Zealand.
“It’s not easy to join a franchise from New Zealand,” Matera said.
“They prioritise their young players from their academies. It’s very good but you can’t take the place of a youngster.”
Matera led the Pumas to their first-ever win over the New Zealand All Blacks during the Tri-Nations tournament in Australia last November.
He was temporarily dropped from the team when controversial social media posts he wrote as a teenager re-surfaced, but that ban subsequently was over-turned.
P2R2
Roar Rookie
...oh dear..how sad...
Agree....And I very much doubt either of us will change our opinions as I dont think Ive seen that happen with anyone over it all. Cheers Jez...
jeznez
Roar Guru
Jacko, c'mon mate, why would we go through this dance again? It's been done to death. All I responded to was a question about what was different between the pair and pointed out: apology vs no apology posts taken down vs posts still up promised not to post again vs continued to post I'm not going to regurgitate my opinions, pretty sure you know what they are - was just answering a question about what's different.
It’s the refusal to apologize and repeated posting that is different. What is Folau expected to apologize for? Saying what he believes, and is 100% legal to say and 100% legal to post on the net? Lets face it if you go looking on Social media you WILL find something to be offended by if you so desire to be offended.
Yeah some journalists are not good from my opinion but they then expect us to believe them and they believe that the "right to know" overrides the rights of all humans to any privacy...
jeznez
Roar Guru
The areas I compared aren’t my opinions. They are things Matera and Folau’s did differently. I agree there would have been a blow up if Matera had said those things in Oz. But I suspect he would have been given a second chance after his apology, just like Folau was given a chance after his earlier posts. It’s the refusal to apologise and repeated posting that is different.
CUW
Roar Rookie
ideally he shud play 8 and put Grace back in 6. u rarely hear Grace mentioned in a game ever since he went to 8
CUW
Roar Rookie
10years later pulled out by some journalist - who got his bread n bacon to spare happens to many - i remember one Miss world losing her crown becoz of some pics she posed for mnay years before. thats journalism for u :unhappy:
CUW
Roar Rookie
They have Anton Segner - captained the crusaders u20 in super rugger. I think they need more of an 8 - coz Grace has disappeared - they shud have kept him at 6 crusaders lack a big 6 - the 6'5" 1110kg kind like a Frizzell or Robinson.
Never said you mentioned 10 years I mentioned 10 years because it was 10 years ago that Matera made those comments...And others on this article have mentioned that timeframe too..... The three areas you compared are your opinion so dont start the BS and If you believe that this sort of racist comment would have been fine in Aus then you are away with the pixies.... And lets mention a 4th area where the person ONLY APOLOGISED some 10 years AFTER the comments were made and ONLY after being caught. What Matera did was Highly illegal in AUS and Folau's actions CLEARLY arnt illegal as the posts, as you have pointed out, are still up on his 100% legal page so go celebrate racism if thats your thing but dont try to claim that racism is allowed in AUS and that nothing more than his punishment recieved from Arg rugby ( 1 match suspension was it? ) would have been the case if he was the Aus captain and had said those things....
Paul D
Roar Rookie
You are a strange person....
Faith
Roar Rookie
You really want an answer to that question?
jeznez
Roar Guru
I didn’t mention 10 years later. The three areas I compared are facts mate. Feel free to disagree and claim it’s nationality that’s the key difference all you like.
Haha love those triple turns as they go for goal eh Jonesy?
I think I may just agree to disagre Jez...Its all been argued before re Folau but what Matera said ( Posted ) would not have gone down well in Aus... The "ten years later" bit is bizzarre tho as you can only question motivation to release that sort of stuff 10 years on... I think he will be a great player for the Saders no matter what his past...
J Jones
Roar Rookie
NHL is basically figure skating with a little field hockey.... Sports historically dominated by women.
Yep a fine job indeed…..Surely a 7 has to be the Captain tho as 7s know when not to kick for goal dont they? :angry: :angry: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
Paulo
Roar Rookie
I think I misunderstood the post :happy: :thumbup:
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Current AB? Not quite sure how that’s possible considering TJ isn’t even eligible for AB selection
Paul D
Roar Rookie
He’s ok, but it doesn’t mean they need or can afford him. Why would he be captain? Jake Gordon is doing a fine job.