Argentina flanker Pablo Matera is bracing for a fired-up All Blacks pack this weekend led by who he calls "the best forwards coach" he's ever worked with.
After helping the Crusaders to the Super Rugby Pacific title earlier this year, Matera is eyeing more success at his home-away-from- home, when the Pumas lock horns with the men in black at OrangeTheory Stadium on Saturday.
Christchurch isn't usually seen as a homecoming when Argentina come to town. But having swapped the red and black of the Crusaders for his Pumas blue, the No. 8 is soaking up his return to the Garden City.
"I miss this place a lot so I'm really happy to be back here again and preparing to play against the All Blacks," Matera said after Wednesday's training. "There's nothing better than to be here and preparing for that game
The Pumas enforcer will be leaning on his experience with the Super Rugby champions to help guide his pack against their vaunted counterparts, who he expects will reach new heights under the tutelage of forwards coach Jason Ryan.
"The All Blacks pack looks really strong and now with [Ryan] there, I'm sure it's even stronger," said Matera. "He's the best forwards coach I ever met."
While he’s hardly expecting All Blacks state secrets to be revealed, captain Sam Cane knows what Matera means to the Pumas.
"He's pretty much got it all in terms of a loose forward," said Cane. "He's consistently played some of his best footy against the All Blacks, so we'll be doing our best to stop him."
While the Pumas should be easier to contain than what the All Blacks faced in their past two encounters against the Springboks, the visitors possess some potent attacking threats.
Fresh off a resounding win over the Wallabies, they lead the Rugby Championship in line breaks and tries scored, with 11 in their first two matches, and Matera is eager to continue that trend.
"Playing in Christchurch, I think it's a massive opportunity. The game couldn't be more awesome."
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