Paris (AFP)

The third row of the French Stadium and captain of Argentina Pablo Matera has announced that he wants to play in Super Rugby next year before returning to Paris to complete his contract, in an interview with the newspaper Midi Olympique to be published on Friday.

"The Stade Français was very understanding and offered me this option: go play a season in Super Rugby, then come back to Paris to complete my contract," said the 27-year-old.

"It is the best solution for me, for my family. So I started to exchange with some clubs of the Southern hemisphere and that is where I am at the moment", added Matera who would like to evolve / move to the within a New Zealand franchise.

The captain of the Pumas, who has one year of contract at the Stade Français, has already played in Super Rugby with the Argentinian franchise of the Jaguares, but wishes "to discover new places, new cultures, new rugby".

"Two months ago, I was offered a long-term extension of my contract with Paris for three additional seasons. I was completely honest with them: I am happy here, and my family too (...) But I was completely honest with them. I am now 27 years old, soon to be 28 (next July 18, editor's note) and I don't want to stay in the same place for the next three or four years, "continued Matera.

Arrived at the Stade français in 2019 from the Jaguares, the Argentinian flanker also played in England, having spent two seasons at Leicester from 2013 to 2015.

© 2021 AFP