Pablo Matera: Veteran Argentina flanker suspended for Autumn Nations Series opener in Italy through suspension
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Published 15/10/2024 at 08:25 GMT+1
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Argentina are riding high in 2024 after following up a run to the Rugby World Cup semi-finals by downing France, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia. However, they head into their opening Test of an Autumn Series in the Northern Hemisphere without suspended flanker Pablo Matera. The influential enforcer will miss the clash with Italy, live on TNT Sports and discovery+, after a red card.
Lozowski, Cowan-Dickie back as England start Autumn Nations Series prep
Video credit: SNTV
Argentina will be without star flanker Pablo Matera when their Autumn Series gets underway in Italy after the veteran was handed a two-week suspension.
Matera was shown a red card in the final match of Argentina’s Rugby Championship campaign, a 48-7 defeat to world champions South Africa.
The blindside flanker was penalised for a dangerous clear-out at the ruck on Vincent Koch, and governing body SANZAAR upheld the decision.
That means he will miss the clash with Italy in Udine on November 8, live on TNT Sports and discovery+, before returning for trips to Ireland and France.
"The disciplinary committee has determined that the actions in question meet the criteria for a red card," read a SANZAAR statement.
"Therefore, the player is suspended up to and including 10 November 2024."
Matera’s absence will be a blow to Pumas coach Felipe Contepomi after an encouraging year for the national team.
The 31-year-old started all six games to take his tally to 98 caps in this year’s Rugby Championship as Argentina beat all three of their rivals – South Africa, New Zealand and Australia – in a single tournament for the first time.
That included a record 67-27 thrashing of the Wallabies, a stunning 38-30 victory away to the All Blacks in Wellington, and toppling eventual champions South Africa 29-28 on home soil.
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The 2023 Rugby World Cup semi-finalists also celebrated a 33-25 win over France in July, when they drew a summer Test series with Les Bleus 1-1.
Matera’s red card was his first for Argentina as he approaches a century of Test caps.
It means he will sit out the curtain-raising Autumn Test against the Azzurri on November 9.
But the flanker will return for visits to Ireland on November 15 and France on November 22.
Which Autumn Nations Series matches are on TNT Sports?
In April, it was announced that TNT Sports would broadcast every game of this year's Autumn Nations Series. Below is the full list of fixtures and kick-off times BST.
WEEK 1
November 2
- England v New Zealand, Twickenham Stadium, kick-off: 15:10
- Scotland v Fiji, Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium, kick-off: 17:40
WEEK 2
November 8
- Ireland v New Zealand, Aviva Stadium, kick-off: 20:10
November 9
- England v Australia, Twickenham Stadium, kick-off: 15:10
- Italy v Argentina, Stadio Friuli, kick-off: 17:40
- France v Japan, Stade de France, kick-off: 20:10
November 10
- Wales v Fiji, Principality Stadium, kick-off: 13:40
- Scotland v South Africa, Murrayfield Stadium, kick-off: 16:10
WEEK 3
November 15
- Ireland v Argentina, Aviva Stadium, kick-off: 20:10
November 16
- Scotland v Portugal, Murrayfield Stadium, kick-off: 15:10
- England v South Africa, Twickenham Stadium, kick-off: 17:40
- France v New Zealand, Stade de France, kick-off: 20:10
November 17
- Italy v Georgia, TBC, kick-off: 13:40
- Wales v Australia, Principality Stadium, kick-off: 16:10
WEEK 4
November 22
- France v Argentina, Stade de France, kick-off: 20:10
November 23
- Ireland v Fiji, Aviva Stadium, kick-off: 15:10
- Wales v South Africa, Principality Stadium, kick-off: 17:40
- Italy v New Zealand, Allianz Stadium, kick-off: 20:10
November 24
- Scotland v Australia, Murrayfield Stadium, kick-off: 13:40
- England v Japan, Twickenham Stadium, kick-off: 16:10
WEEK 5
November 30
- Ireland v Australia, Aviva Stadium, kick-off: 15:10
Stream the Gallagher Premiership, 2024 Autumn Nations Series and Premiership Women's Rugby on TNT Sports and discovery+
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