(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
All Blacks Target Pablo Matera in Rugby Championship Opener Against Argentina
CÓRDOBA – The All Blacks are gearing up for a fierce battle in the opening round of the Rugby Championship 2025, with their focus firmly set on neutralizing Argentina’s star flanker Pablo Matera.
The 32-year-old veteran, who boasts 104 Test caps, is no stranger to New Zealand rugby fans. Matera played for the Crusaders in 2022 under current All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson, helping the team secure a Super Rugby title at Eden Park. Last year, Matera captained Los Pumas to a historic victory over the All Blacks in Wellington and will once again don the No. 6 jersey this weekend.
Loose Forward Battle in the Spotlight
Matera will be joined by the powerful Marcos Kremer and rising talent Joaquín Oviedo, forming one of the most destructive back-row combinations in world rugby. The All Blacks, meanwhile, are sticking with Tupou Vaa’i at No. 6, alongside Du’Plessis Kirifi at No. 7 and Ardie Savea at No. 8.
Speaking at Thursday’s team naming, Robertson highlighted the challenge:
“When Pablo turns up, Argentina turn up. He’s a hell of a player, and Kremer’s very physical and tough. That’ll be a big battle.”
Kirifi, only three games into his Test career, brings nearly 100 Super Rugby appearances’ worth of experience. Robertson is eager to see how his relatively new loose forward trio handles the Pumas’ physicality.
Set Piece and Kicking Game Key to Victory
The All Blacks will enter the match without front-row regulars Tamaiti Williams and Tyrel Lomax, but Ethan de Groot and Fletcher Newell have shown strong early-season form.
Robertson stressed the importance of dominating set pieces:
“If you get a great set piece, you can create opportunities to kick and apply pressure. Argentina’s kicking game is excellent, and they know how to pin you in your own half.”
Crowd Energy a Factor in Córdoba
The All Blacks coach also noted the influence of the home crowd:
“We went to watch football here to see the passion. When they start singing, the momentum builds. The Argentinians feed off that energy, so we have to be ready from the start.”
With both sides known for their physicality and relentless breakdown work, Saturday’s clash promises to be an intense opening to the 2025 Rugby Championship.
