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Argentina Head Coach Michael Cheika will take charge of Los Pumas for the first time in the 2022 July Internationals. His coaching staff will consist of former Pumas, including two former captains, Sergio Stuart reports.
Cheika will have the support of Argentine captains’s from past Rugby World Cups and Rugby Championships. His coaching regime will consist of World Rugby Hall of Famer Felipe Contepomi, former multi-time European Champions Cup winner with Toulon Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe and former Pumas front-rower Andrés Bordoy.
Contepomi is to be Cheika’s right-hand-man. It is a move that may see Contepomi replacing Cheika following RWC 2023. The pair know each other very well. Contepomi played as a professional under Cheika at Leinster and Stade Français.
He is now returning to Argentina from his assistant coaching role at Leinster. The RWC 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2011 fly half / center will be Argentina’s back’s coach under Cheika.
Andrés Bordoy had a long career as a front-rower. He played at both prop and hooker. Since retirement he has coached with success; his scrum knowledge places him among the leading names to take up the role under Cheika. Bordoy will be the scrum coach and be in charge of the general forwards activities.
Fernández Lobbe is the one remaining member of Mario Ledesma’s coaching team. The former Pumas flanker will be the lineout and defense coach under Cheika.
Argentina will have a busy 2022. Los Pumas are to play host to Scotland for three test matches in July. The home series will be Argentina’s first opportunity to play at home since 2019. Subsequent matches will include six matches in the Rugby Championship and a November tour to the UK wherein Argentina face England, Scotland and Wales.
