Cheika lauds Scott Robertson, takes aim at Foster

Los Pumas boss Michael Cheika has tipped his hat to Scott Robertson regarding the huge improvement of Pablo Matera since joining the Crusaders. 

Yesterday, the Argentina pulled off a maiden victory in New Zealand as they saw off their opponents 25-18 in Christchurch, with captain Matera right in the thick of it. 

Robertson lured Matera into the Crusaders jersey at the beginning of the Super Rugby season and the mentorship has borne significant fruit. 

“I think that the Crusaders have made a really huge mark, and Scott Robertson has made a really huge mark on Pablo,” Cheika said. 

“It shows the quality of the franchise and the coaching here, he’s come back a heaps better player — mentally and technically.” 

Cheika is well aware that the loss will add some extra bite to the All Blacks’ game when they have another crack at the Pumas next week. 

 “It’s a blockbuster because they’re going to be coming with everything,” Cheika said. 

“It’ll be a great lesson for us on how to handle these situations when they’ll be coming hard. We’ve got to bring something as well to match it.” 

In the wake of this weekend’s Test, All Black boss Ian Foster questioned the Argentinians’ tactics at the breakdown. 

“Overall I just felt that they got away with some stuff at the breakdown, not releasing the ball carrier on the ground, and we weren’t able to deal with it,” said Foster. 

“It was an area we got hammered in the penalty count at critical times. I’m probably a little bit bemused by some of that.” 

Cheika, however, was in no mood to entertain the Foster’s points and fired back immediately. 

“Well, he’d be an expert on it because his team does it all the time, so he should know,” he said, bluntly. 

“I don’t know if that’s the right response after the game.” 

The teams will lock horns again next weekend at Waikato Stadium.