Saturday 24 October 2015 18:08, UK
Argentina's back-row star Pablo Matera admits his breakdown battle with Australia's David Pocock and Michael Hooper will be critical in Sunday's World Cup semi-final.
Pocock, the Wallabies No 8, and openside flanker Hooper are acknowledged as the best in the breakdown business alongside New Zealand captain Richie McCaw.
Matera admits that two years ago he had no idea how to win turnovers, but after being taught the dark arts by Leicester team-mate Julian Salvi, he is now highly accomplished himself.
"Stealing the ball is all about timing and taking a quick decision. Not everybody is able to poach or steal - you need to wait for your chance," Matera said.
"And the best players are the players who know when that chance is available.
"I've been analysing Hooper and Pocock, and they are massive players. They steal so many balls, they give so much possession to their side.
"They are the best around at the breakdown. I think we need to work really hard at the breakdown to combat them. We've got to go hard in attack and be first to every ruck to keep the ball.
"Hooper and Pocock are the best in the world at the breakdown, so we need to win the collisions for sure.
"We have a decent back row. We can't poach as well as Hooper and Pocock, for sure, but we'll have a good go this Sunday."
Matera is leaving the Tigers to join Argentina's new Super Rugby team and says he learned a great deal at Welford Road, with Aussie Salvi the key man.
"Leicester was an amazing experience. It was my first time playing at a professional club. It was all new for me," he said.
"I really enjoyed the way they trained, the professionalism they have there, with all the skills and steps they train for.
"Now rugby in Argentina has grown a lot and we've developed those kinds of skills and training. But it was the first time I started training that way. I learned so much, not only from the coaches but also the players there.
"Julian Salvi was the man at the breakdown at Leicester. It was the first time I'd seen players handle that area so well. And I tried to learn, I tried to play the breakdown like him.
"I would train with him and just study what he did because he's so strong there."
