Puma Pablo Matera was a try scorer for the Crusaders on Saturday in Perth, Australia. The Crusaders were 53-15 winners in a match in which Matera scored his first try for the New Zealand team.
Matera played the match at N8. His performance was impressive. In addition to scoring a try, Matera made 11 carries for 18 meter gain, completed two off-loads and made six passes. On defense he made 14 tackles.
In another first for Argentine rugby, Matera was on one team while Pumas teammate Santiago Medrano started for another. Never before in Super Rugby had Pumas started for opposing teams from New Zealand and Australia in the same match.
Both Matera and Medrano are expected to play for Argentina in July. Los Pumas will play host to Scotland for three test matches in Northern Argentina. It remains to be seen whether some players will be given time off after a long season in Europe. Unlike them, Matera and Medrano had the Argentine summer to recover.
PABLO MATERA’S INDIVIDUAL MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS – WESTERN FORCE VS CRUSADERS