Publications
Partners
Cape Town - Former
Argentina hooker Mario Ledesma is leaving his post as Australia
forwards coach to take over as Jaguares head coach for the 2018 Super
Rugby season.
Wallabies coach Michael Cheika confirmed Ledesma's resignation and paid tribute to the 44-year-old for the all the work he had done since he began working with the Australian national team in 2013.
Ledesma will vacate the position after the Wallabies' clash with the All Blacks on October 21.
”Argentina gave us a gift when they gave us Mario Ledesma,” Cheika said after Australia beat the Pumas 37-20 in Mendoza Saturday.
”In 2014 when we went on the tour, when I first took over, we got our scrum pummelled by the English in one game and if you’re a good person when you get a gift, you should always give one back.
”Now we’re giving a gift back because Mario Ledesma is a good man, he’s a great coach and as much as I’m sad that he’s leaving, personally as his friend and from a rugby point of view (it’s good).
”Not only is he improving himself by having this position, which is what we want our people to do, but also he’s coming back to his family who he hasn’t seen for many, many years.
“It’s going to be a great thing for Argentine rugby...”
Ledesma played 84 Tests for the Pumas from 1996 to 2011, including the World Cup campaigns of 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2011, but spent almost his entire club career in France.
The Jaguares, who are effectively the Pumas squad, won seven and lost eight of their 15 matches in their second season of Super Rugby this year.
