Argentina coach Mario Ledesma taking on a very familiar foe
MARIO Ledesma’s pride in Argentina was so strong he sang his own national anthem before Tests even when he was wearing the gold of the Wallabies as Michael Cheika’s assistant coach for three seasons.
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MARIO Ledesma’s pride in Argentina was so strong he sang his own national anthem before Tests even when he was wearing the gold of the Wallabies as Michael Cheika’s assistant coach for three seasons.
The brotherly bond between the duo will be put aside for 80 minutes on the Gold Coast on Saturday night when they do everything possible to top the other before shaking hands and enjoying a beer.
Ledesma freely admits his success as the new Argentinian coach traces to his time with the Wallabies (2015-17), learning that better people make better players and working in the cauldron of rapidly-changing scenarios for more than 30 Tests.
As pack coach, Ledesma was fiercely focused on improving young bucks such as Adam Coleman, Allan Alaalatoa and Scott Sio to the point the Wallabies beat the Pumas on all six occasions they played.
That didn’t stop him singing the Argentinian anthem before each of those Tests.
“I never sang the Australian anthem before the game...I always sang it with the boys after every victory and I know 90 per cent of the words,” Ledesma said with a smile.
The popular Ledesma spent $200-plus of his own money to buy the jumbo steaks for a memorable Argentinian-style pit barbecue that he orchestrated for the Wallabies when in training camp at Caloundra in 2016.
“I have a lot of affection and love for the staff members and players. There is a special bond that is going to be like that my whole life,” Ledesma said.
“Cheik and I caught up for a beer already this week, two old friends chatting about life, our wives, kids who went to the same school (in Sydney).”
He instinctively pinpointed that the Wallabies’ classy set plays off scrums and lineouts had skewered the Pumas in those six Tests.
And he’s not being foxed by Israel Folau being named on the wing.
“Even if he was at fullback the way Cheik likes to coach he moves them (the backs) around so we’ll see if he’s on the wing, fullback, No.13,” Ledesma said.
“Knowing them is an advantage but in terms of the moves, I’m sure they’re going to prepare something special for us.
“We’ve been looking closely at the first phase moves. I always thought Australia was the best team in the world in first phase (plays) so it’s going to be a challenge.”
Ledesma is also wary that the late withdrawal of Michael Hooper (hamstring) will galvanise the Australians.
“I know they been having problems the last couple of weeks with injuries at the last minute so I told Cheik he has to see a witch(doctor) or something,” Ledesma said.
“It helps cohesion when you are fighting all that stuff and makes you really dangerous.”
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