Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
Former Argentine test hooker Mario Ledesma has signed an extended contract with the Wallabies. After having been hailed for transforming a weak scrum into a world-class unit, the ARU has acted to retain the Buenos Aires front-rower for an additional two years.
The former Puma started his position as Australia’s Forwards and Set-piece coach in 2015. He contributed to seeing the Wallabies reaching the Rugby World Cup Final, including overcoming Argentina at the Semi Finals stage. Head Coach Michael Cheika won the prestigious International Coach of the Year award, doing so despite New Zealand winning the World Cup.
Ledesma commented that “as long as Cheika is here, I will be here“. He arrived in Australia in early 2015 to act as coach-observer to the Waratahs. He did so having previous been a forwards coach for Top 14 clubs Montpellier and Stade Français.
As a player Ledesma spent a decade playing in the Top 14. In 2010 he won the national French title with Clermont. For Los Pumas he played in four Rugby World Cups, retiring after been eliminated at the Quarter finals stage in 2011 at the age of 38.
