On August 26, 2023, the second edition of ‘The Match’ will be held at the Civitas Metropolitano in Madrid, a match that will pit the Spanish Rugby Team, Los Leones, against Argentina. The meeting will be an official event of the Centenary of the Spanish Rugby Federation and, in addition, it will serve as preparation for Los Pumas, who will participate from September 8 to October 23 in the 2023 World Cup in France.
For this reason, the Embassy of Argentina in Madrid has been the place chosen to give the official kick-off to the event. Juan Carlos Martín, President of the Spanish Rugby Federation was accompanied this Thursday by Ricardo Alfonsín, Ambassador of Argentina in Spain; Almudena Maíllo, Councilor for Tourism of the Madrid City Council; Miguel Dupont, Commercial Manager of the Argentine Rugby Union; Mirella Ruiz, CEO of Kiwi House, promoter of the event in its two editions; the Argentine players Lucas Paulos and Tomas Cubelli; and Gonzalo Vinuesa and Guillermo Moretón, players of the Spanish rugby team.
This great sporting event is a new edition of ‘The Match’, a proposal for the best rugby that premiered on May 21 at the Metropolitano stadium, where the Spanish rugby team faced the Classic All Blacks in front of 40,000 spectators. This match also became a tribute to Los Leones after their great season and in 2023 it will serve to showcase the new talents that have taken center stage after the generational change that is taking place in the National Team.
For the second edition of “The Match” Kiwi House has opted for the presence of one of the candidates for the title in the World Cup, the Argentine Pumas, a team that comes from beating the mythical All Blacks on New Zealand soil during the Rugby Championship, and to subdue England in their fief of Twickenham during the last autumn window. The signing of Australian Michael Cheika as coach of the Pumas has led to Argentina’s rise to eighth position in the world ranking.
The president of the Spanish Rugby Federation, Juan Carlos Martín, wanted to highlight, in the centenary year, that “It is the best event we can do to celebrate 100 years of Spanish rugby. We have set ourselves the challenge of looking as much like Argentina as possible at the 2027 World Cup in Australia.”
For his part, the Ambassador of Argentina in Spain, who has hosted the official presentation of this great sporting event, has indicated that “Rugby has an important fan base in Argentina. That the Argentines who are here can see Los Pumas in Spain is a great joy”.
The event has also had the support of the Madrid City Council with Almudena Maíllo, Councilor for Tourism, who has ensured that “In Madrid we bet on big events. How can we not support an event like this, which will leave a great impact on tourism”.
Argentine rugby, which is experiencing one of its best sporting moments, has been represented by Miguel Dupont, commercial manager of the Argentine Rugby Union, who has pointed out that “Los Pumas have not come to this country for many years. I think it will benefit everyone. I hope that the Argentines who live in Spain come to watch the game to fill the pitch”.
Kiwi House, the promoter of ‘The Match’ in its two editions, mentioned in the words of its CEO, Mirella Ruiz, that “’The Match’ was something very special due to the energy that was experienced at such a difficult time. This match between Spain and Argentina has to serve to take the sting out of the World Cup”
Finally, the great protagonists of this new Spanish rugby party, the players, have joined the appeal to the fans. “August 26 is a very important date for us. It is the last game to be able to prepare before the World Cup. I hope it will be as crowded as it is with the Classic All Blacks”, Lucas Paulos stated. “It will be without a big game. Surely many Argentines will come to support us”, said Tomas Cubelli. On behalf of the Spanish National Team, Gonzalo Vinuesa, has assured that “I take it for granted that we are going to fill the Metropolitan”, while Guillermo Moretón added that “to have the opportunity, thanks to Kiwi House, to be able to represent Spain against a World Cup team like Los Pumas is unmatched”. The chosen date, August 26, coincides with the last on which World Rugby allows preparation friendlies to be played before the World Cup. Tickets will be on sale at thematchrugby.com.