Argentina star Pablo Matera has revealed why he refused to shake the hand of All Black rival Dane Coles after the Rugby Championship match between New Zealand and the Pumas last month.
As the players exchanged post-match sportsmanship following the final whistle, Matera refused the offer of Coles' hand, instead shoving him forcefully in the shoulder.
Matera, who played in New Zealand last year for the Crusaders, told the What a Lad podcast: “He just continued picking on me in every ruck and every scrum, saying some things that really hurt, some strong things.
"I don't want to repeat it, but I couldn't understand why. They were winning by 40 points, he just came on … I didn't understand his attitude.
"I know he's a great player and I know he's a great guy as well, because his teammates spoke to me after the game and said 'he's a good guy', and I said 'I'm sure he's a good guy'.
"But I just didn't understand why he continued picking at me and he said things I'm sensitive about, like me being in New Zealand … 'You don't belong here'.
"I was, like, 'If you knew how much me and my family went through to be able to come here, you wouldn't be saying these things'."
The Pumas star did admit he was not proud of his own reaction, saying he would happily go for a beer with Coles.
"That is not something I'm proud about, to be honest, because I know there are a lot of young kids, young players that watch the game, and it's not a good example.
"I'm one of the guys that say things that happen on the field, stay on the field, that's how it has to be always, but that day was a bit different to be honest, that day was a bit different."
The game would end 53-3 to New Zealand.
Read more:
50 Welsh rugby matches cancelled as clubs struggle to field teams and reveal what's really happening
Tonight's rugby news as Wales internationals made unemployed with immediate effect
The many problems of Scarlets and Cardiff right now amid fan unhappiness
