Argentina coach Mario Ledesma says he benefitted from his time as an assistant coach with the Wallabies.
Ledesma served as a forwards coach under Michael Cheika between 2015 and 2017 before returning to his homeland to coach the Jaguares.
The former Pumas hooker recently replaced Daniel Hourcade, who resigned in June after a poor run of results, as national head coach.
Ledesma credited his Australian experience for teaching him what he needed to revive the Jaguares and Pumas’ fortunes.
‘One of the biggest things I got from Australia is respecting the processes, having a plan and being more disciplined,’ Ledesma told reporters in New Zealand.
‘We’re a little bit more passionate [in Argentina] but the bad side for that is we’re not used to respecting systems and everything changes from one week to another.’
Ledesma expects a huge challenge against the All Blacks in Nelson on Saturday, despite coach Steve Hansen having made several changes.
‘The All Blacks get better every week and it doesn’t matter who they put on the field,’ Ledesma said. ‘You think you’re in the game until the 50th, the 55th minute and then you’re gone, they rip you apart.’
Photo: Phil Walter/Getty Images
