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Argentina captain Pablo Matera has praised the All Blacks for their tribute to soccer legend Diego Maradona ahead of the Three Nations game on Saturday night.
New Zealand captain Sam Cane donned an All Blacks jersey with ’10 Maradona ‘, his usual game number, printed on the back in front of the Pumas players before kickoff in Newcastle.
Rick Rycroft / AP
New Zealand captain Sam Cane places an All Blacks jersey on the field in memory of the late Argentine soccer star Diego Maradona before the start of the Three Nations rugby match against Argentina in Newcastle.
Maradona, one of the greatest footballers in the history of the game and Argentina’s most revered athlete, died earlier this week.
“I didn’t know (about the tribute) until I tossed the coin with Sam Cane and he told me about it,” Matera said.
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“I am very grateful for that. Obviously Diego Maradona was huge for Argentina, so I am very grateful for that gesture from the All Blacks.”
Maradona died Wednesday of a heart attack at age 60 in a house on the outskirts of Buenos Aires. He was recovering from a brain operation.
Matera said Maradona’s passing had been a source of inspiration for many of the Argentine squad, though they were unable to replicate their historic victory two weeks ago when the All Blacks responded with a 38-0 victory.
“Maradona was a guy who represented our country in the best way that you could represent us as an athlete,” Matera said.
Jaimi Joy / Getty Images
The All Blacks’ idea for the Diego Maradona tribute came from TJ Perenara.
“He has been a great inspiration for all of us: players, coaches, the people of Argentina.
“So we always have it in our thoughts and we just want to represent our country the way it did.”
Cane said they wanted to pay their respects to a “world legend” and that the idea for the tribute came from All Blacks running back TJ Perenara.
“I think rugby is a game that is primarily based on respect, and it was the right thing to do and respectful,” added Cane.
Meanwhile, there was a slight hiccup in the pre-game ceremonies at the ‘Welcome to Country’ when Aboriginal elder Uncle Bill Smith referred to the opposition from the All Blacks as Holland during the ritual.
– with AP
