The end of 2021 indicated that something was not closing in the coaching staff of the Argentine rugby team and the rumors of a possible departure of Mario Ledesma were accreted. However, months passed and the head coach made reference to the triple date with Scotland in Argentina, reinforcing his place in the team. Despite all these specifications, the Argentine Rugby Union (UAR) called a surprise press conference in which the expected is confirmed. The coach and the entire coaching staff of Los Pumas resigns from his position, after having a talk with the president of the organization, Marcelo Rodríguez.La information transcended is that the president joined with Ledesma to close a stage in the best possible way and alternatives arrive that speak of a cycle finished after a 2021 that was not at all encouraging with three victories, a draw and eight defeats in total.
The closure was even more painful than anticipated, where Argentina arrived after falling in the six matches of the Rugby Championship, against New Zealand, Australia and South Africa, and comes a year that will serve as preparation for what will be the World Cup in France 2023 with a great illusion of fighting. As for the management of Mario Ledesma, the former hooker, bronze medalist in 2007, took office August 1, 2018 (replacing Daniel Hourcade) and one of his first commitments was the World Cup in Japan 2019, in which they could not overcome the group stage after falling to France and England and defeating Tonga and the United States. Competing with the great powers, 2020 led to a cessation of activity by the pandema and in the return to the matches the historic victory against the All Blacks was achieved. On November 17, in Sydney, Los Pumas won 25-12 in an indelible memory in history.
Argentina celebrates victory against All Blacks in Sydney.
Throughout his three and a half years of rabajo, Mario Ledesma led the team in 33 matches, in which they obtained only eight wins and three draws, and suffered 22 defeats, which ended up sentencing their way to the World Cup in France that will begin on September 8, 2023Allí, Los Pumas will make up Group D with England, Japan and Samoa, while the remaining quota corresponding to Americas 2 (United States or Chile), in a group that is initially accessible to qualify for the playoffs.
