argentina team vs new zealand

Argentina’s Los Pumas celebrate after defeating South Africa’s Springboks in a Rugby Championship 2018 test match at Malvinas Argentinas stadium in Mendoza, some 1050 km west of Buenos Aires, Argentina on August 25, 2018. – Argentina’s Los Pumas won by 32-19. (Photo by Andres Larrovere / AFP)

Los Pumas should be aiming for Rugby Championship glory

How does Jaguares success translate to Los Pumas success you ask? The Pumas have the easiest transition from domestic competition to the international stage…

argentina team vs new zealand

Argentina’s Los Pumas celebrate after defeating South Africa’s Springboks in a Rugby Championship 2018 test match at Malvinas Argentinas stadium in Mendoza, some 1050 km west of Buenos Aires, Argentina on August 25, 2018. – Argentina’s Los Pumas won by 32-19. (Photo by Andres Larrovere / AFP)

The Jaguares’ success in Super Rugby has not only laid a platform for Argentina to put on a strong showing at the Rugby World Cup – but also significantly increases their chances of winning of the Rugby Championship.

The Jaguares contested their first-ever Super Rugby final on the 6th of July against the Crusaders, much had been expected of the Test player laden franchise since its Super Rugby debut in 2016, they flattered to deceive in their first two seasons.

The appointment of former Los Pumas Test hooker, Mario Ledesma, as coach proved to be inspired in 2018 as the Jaguares made the playoffs for the first time. His time in the Jaguares hot seat was short-lived as he was appointed as head coach of the Argentine following the resignation of the then national coach, Daniel Hourcade.

Gonzalo Quesada took over as coach this season and took them all the way to the final where they lost 19-3 to the Crusaders as the Christchurch franchise won the 3rd Super Rugby title in succession.

The philosophy has not changed much from Ledesma’s tenure, Quesada has merely improved on Ledesma’s foundation, he has sharpened their attack and shored up defensive structures.

He has also widened the net and given exposure to more players, he has rotated regularly and Ledesma will be pleased with the performances of rookies like Sebestian Cancellieri and Domingo Miotti in the absence of stalwarts like Emilliano Bofelli (injury-enforced) and the departed Nicolas Sanchez who now plies his trade in the Top 14 with Stade Francais.

Coaching consistency

So how does Jaguares success translate to Los Pumas success you ask? The Pumas have the easiest transition from domestic competition to the international stage. The bulk of the squad to contest the Rugby Championship will come from the Jaguares side enabling continuity for Ledesma’s charges. Their opposition doesn’t have the same luxury.

The Jaguares’ current revolution began under the guidance of Ledesma and it is unlikely he will employ a philosophy that is dissimilar to that one in the Rugby Championship. Unlike Hourcade’s time at the helm, the coaches in charge of the franchise and national team for UAR are like-minded, a strong forward pack with a focus on the set-piece and playing with width, skill and precision.

The Hourcade school of thought was high tempo with a focus on keeping the ball alive, often there was an overcompensation with the offloads resulting in a high error rate. The once-feared Argentine scrum piece waned with the focus on playing with a furious pace.

The new approach has proved to be more successful and although it is still an expansive style, it is measured in execution and is off the base of a solid foundation with a stronger set-piece.

Having worked as a scrum coach for NSW Waratahs and significantly improved the Wallabies during his tenure under Michael Cheika, Ledesma’s influence on the young pack of forwards is evident.

In the same vein, Gonzalo Quesada, is now an accomplished coach who has a Top 14 title to his name from time at the helm at Stade Francais, he played for the Los Pumas at flyhalf at two World Cups and has contributed to a backline playing with maturity that allows them to pick the right moments.

Management and form of senior players

Another aspect in which Quesada has done well is the management of Los Pumas’ best players, with the likes of Gus Creevy at 34 years having plenty miles on the clock and in the absence of an experienced deputy, he got through a mountain of work over the last 3 seasons.

Julian Montoya has come to the fore this year and lightened the load of the combative hooker – the Argentine spiritual leader looks refreshed and ready for what should be his final go at both the Rugby Championship and World Cup.

Another player whose workload has been managed is the infamous Tomas Lavanini, for all his natural talent and mongrel, the 25-year-old has always been a hot head and often undoes the good work of his franchise or national side through cynical acts of poor discipline.

His improved discipline seems to have coincided with a few games of the bench, perhaps the less strenuous schedule has allowed him to introspect his game and make changes to his game. This will be a big positive for Argentina going forward.

Pablo Matera who taken over from Creevy as captain of Los Pumas has taken his game to a different level this season, his work at the breakdown is much improved, a wrecking ball on the carry and deadly on defence.

Scott Robertson said that Ardie Savea has been the best player in Super Rugby this year after All Black flanker enjoyed a great year with the Canes, I disagree with the three-time Super Rugby winning coach. Matera is the best we have seen in Super Rugby this season, a barnstorming man of the match performance in the final despite being on the losing side was characteristic of how good a season he has had.

He led the physical charge for much of the campaign and has been unstoppable, a good sign that the skipper is in such commanding form.

Reintegration of old faces

Tomas Lezana and Javier Ortega Desio have interchanged at the back of the scrum ever since the departure of Facundo Isa a few seasons ago. Isa who at the time was the best 8thman in the southern hemisphere left a huge void, his huge physical presence off the back of scrum ensured good go forward for the Argentines, something that has since been missing since he left. His return will lend a physical dominance to the Pumas backrow that will enhance their set-piece efficiency.

Nicolas Sanchez also left a void in the Jaguares setup, though not quite as huge as in Isa’s case with Jaquoin Diaz Bonilla and Domingo Miotti stepping in with aplomb since he left for the Stade Francais. His experience and class cannot be dispelled though, Miotti and Bonilla are the future, but Ledesma would do well to get them to spend as much time and learn off Sanchez.

Ledesma appointed Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe as one of his assistant coaches this season, the former Los Pumas skipper called time on his career at the end of the European season last year bowing out in Barbarians game against England.

The reception he received in that game spoke volumes of his standing in the international game. Bringing in the man who led Argentina and many of the players in the current squad at the last World Cup is an astute move by Ledesma, Fernandez Lobbe may be the bridge between the players and management that bring to an even more aligned tactical and psychological understanding.

With a combination of continuity, depth, a well-managed squad in good form and a sprinkling of the Argentine old guard, the time is ripe for Argentina to win their first silverware in the southern hemisphere.

Despite the Jaguares falling short in the Super Rugby, their incredible season may prove to be the launchpad for Rugby Championship glory for Los Pumas.