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Uruguay will have a new head Coach in 2024. The long-time man in charge of Los Teros, Esteban Meneses has stepped down from the position. He coached Uruguay for all of the test team’s matches from 2016-2023. He replaced Pablo Lemoine in December 2015.
Under Meneses Los Teros enjoy a golden era. Uruguay overtook both Canada and the USA to officially become the second best rugby test team in the Americas. This was on display in Rugby World Cup Qualifiers and also in World Cups.
Uruguay overcame Canada to qualify ahead of the North Americans for Rugby World Cup 2019. This saw Canada sent into repechage. For the 2023 tournament the Uruguayans qualified as Americas 1 by beating the USA on aggregate.
Meneses coached Uruguay at Rugby World Cups 2019 and 2023. In doing so, the Argentine became the first person to be in charge of Los Teros in multiple Rugby World Cups. Under his command, Uruguay defeated Fiji at Rugby World Cup 2019 and Namibia at Rugby World Cup 2023.
Meneses made important contributions to Uruguay both on and off the field. He made it known that player eligibility law changes were harmful rather than helpful to Uruguay. He believes that homegrown teams are victims of the system. He asked “Why aren’t Uruguay or Georgia rewarded if they do things well?” In other words, Uruguay and Georgia are punished for being productive while Tonga and Samoa capture elite test players from rivals and are rewarded for it.
Uruguay faced Tonga in November 2022. The South Americans were entirely homegrown. Every player was born and raised in Uruguay. In comparison, Tonga took to the field with All Blacks Vaea Fifita, Augustine Pulu, George Moala and Malakai Fekitoa all starting. Fellow New Zealanders Zane Kapeli, Sam Moli, Ben Tameifuna, William Havili and Anzelo Tuitavuki also all started for Tonga as did Australian Afusipa Taumoepeau.
The departure of Meneses will now see a process of evaluating potential new candidates. It followed the loss of Peñarol Head Coach Pablo Bouza. The Argentine is now the new head coach of Spain. Bouza had been a person in consideration for the top Uruguayan job.
Meneses also steps down from the top Uruguayan coaching spot at a time in which Argentina is evaluating options for the Rugby World Cup 2023-2027 cycle. Michael Cheika may remain head coach. Alternatively, Felipe Contepomi will take-over. Former Jaguares Super Rugby head coach Gonzalo Quesada is now in charge of Italy.
