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'Are you the same person you were nine years ago?' - Ex-Pumas lock leaps to Matera's defence

(Photo by Charly Triballeau/AFP via Getty Images)

Former Argentina lock Patricio Albacete has defended his compatriots Pablo Matera, Guido Petti and Santiago Socino following the revelation of historical tweets that were deemed offensive, while also responding to accusations about tweets he himself made in 2013.

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This comes after the Argentina Rugby Union revoked Matera’s captaincy and suspended him along with Petti and Socino for posting what were described as “discriminatory and xenophobic” posts between 2011 and 2013.

The 57-cap Albacete, who played five Tests alongside Matera at the end of his career in 2013, was also dragged into this affair by Argentinian journalist Pablo Duggan, who referenced offensive tweets posted by the 39-year-old seven years ago. 

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Australia look ahead to final round clash with Argentina

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Australia look ahead to final round clash with Argentina

“The tweets of (Albacete)… they show that the discrimination and xenophobia of Los Pumas come from before this generation,” wrote Duggan.

Albacete responded with a Twitter thread defending himself and the three players in question, admitting that it was a serious mistake they made but also stressing that they were 17 years of age at the time. 

He said: “Please if you are going to say anything about me, trying to get me dirty and taking things completely out of context, at least try to inform yourself well. Do not report only what they send you… you speak very badly of yourself and your profession!

“Do you really think I can discriminate based on just a wheel of old jokes from seven years ago that I didn’t even do? It was enough to look at the photos of my French brothers and friends in my networks since they like to investigate…

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“The Los Pumas players who made the tweets made a SERIOUS mistake, apologised, were suspended and will be punished for them. Tweets they wrote when they were 17…

“However, his behaviour in front of the Argentine team has always been correct. In fact, just two weeks ago, they were praised by everyone after the resounding victory against NZ, especially Pablo, for giving his jersey to a very emotional child.

“They made a very serious mistake without a doubt. But are you the same person you were nine years ago? It would be good if we were as demanding as you are, with everyone’s files… so what seems strange to me is that they have decided to bring them to light just now…” 

The punishment handed to the trio is yet to be revealed, but Matera and his two Argentina teammates will miss the Pumas’ final match of the Tri-Nations against Australia this Saturday. 

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This is a sour twist in the fortunes of the national team, who only two weeks ago were experiencing the euphoria of beating the All Blacks for the first time, for which the 27-year-old Matera was eternised for his impassioned display. 

Since then, they have also come under fire for not honouring Argentinian football legend Diego Maradona appropriately, who died last week aged 60.

 

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AM 5 minutes ago
'Freelancer' Izaia Perese shows the need for true inclusivity in Australian rugby

That's Cron's job though. Australia has had one of the most penalised scrums in international rugby for a long time. Just look at the scrum win loss percentage and scrum penalties. That is your evidence. AA has been the starter during that period. Pretty simple analysis. That Australia has had a poor scrum for a long time is hardly news. If bell and thor are not on the field they are woeful. So you are just plain wrong. They have very little time for the lions so doing the same old things that dont work is not going to get them there.


Ainsley is better than our next best tighthead options and has been playing well at scrum time for Lyon in the most competitive comp in the world. Superstar player? No. But better than the next best options. So that is a good enough guide. The scrummaging in the Prem is pretty good too so there is Sio's proof. Same analysis for him. Certainly better in both cases than Super, where the brumbies had the worst win loss and scrum pen in Super. Who plays there? Ohh yes... And the level of scrummaging in Super is well below the URC, prem and France with the SA teams out.


Nongorr is truly woeful. He's 130kg and gets shoved about. That just should not be happening at that weight for a specialist prop who has always played rugby cf pone with leauge. He has had enough time to develop at 23. You'd be better off with Pone who is at least good around the field for the moment and sending Nongorr on exchange to France or England to see if they can improve him with better coaching as happened with Skelton and Meafou. He isn't going to develop in time in super if he has it at all.


Latu is a better scrummaging hooker than BPA and Nasser. and he's the best aussie player over the ball at ruck time. McReight's super jackling percentage hasnt converted to international level but latu consistently does it at heniken level, which is similar to test level in the big games. With good coaching at La Rochelle he's much improved though still has the odd shocker. He should start the November games.

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