At the press conference with which the Argentine Rugby Union (UAR) officially presented it Sheika said: “I don’t think about anything other than winning the World Cup in France. When someone plays a match or a championship, they only think about winning it, but we must not lose sight of the fact that Argentine rugby is not in first place in the international ranking “.
“No one goes to a match or a competition without having the goal of winning and reaching the best position; no coach is satisfied with a fourth or sixth place and if they say that it is to feel happy”expressed the Australian bluntly.
Regarding its main characteristics, Sheika he highlighted humility and dedication; and considered that the UAR chose him for his work with the outgoing head coach, Mario Ledesma. “I have to think hard about every decision because now I’m the head coach,” he said.
“My idea is to lead Argentine rugby and the benefit is that I know several players because I had the opportunity to interact with this team the last two years. The first thing is to make ourselves strong in the simplest aspects to improve confidence and volume of match”he added.
Cheika, who was accompanied by a translator during the conference and apologized “for speaking so few words in Spanish”, confirmed Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe (40 years old) and Andrés Bordoy (39) as collaborators.
Fernández Lobbe comes from the previous process, but Cheika asserted that “his role will be different since his task will be focused on the game of the line and the defense of the forwards.”
Bordoy is a national scrum coach, he worked with Los Jaguares between 2019 and 2020 and was part of the Los Pumas squad that participated in the 2020 Tri Nations. “He will be in charge of the scrum, which is the narrowest part of the game and his performance is excellent, for That is why we hope that the players grow in this aspect”, said the DT.
Likewise, Cheika confirmed that on May 16 the two assistants who will work with the three quarters regarding the aspects of defensive and offensive play will be announced.
Between the two candidates is Philip Contepomifriend of Cheika, that in the next few days Leinster will dissociate itself from Ireland; and there is the possibility of hiring a foreign coach to also work with the three quarters on the defensive side.
Regarding the Los Pumas squad to face the three clashes against Scotland that will open the international competition on Saturdays July 2, 9 and 16, the coach announced: “We will put the best players. Nobody will want to miss these games after three seasons away of the country and we will see how they are physically and mentally prepared for that opportunity.
Sheika He did not rule out the return of former captain and hooker Agustín Creevy (33 years old), discarded by Ledema and current player for the London Irish of England; and praised Nicolás Sánchez from Tucuman, despite having only a few minutes at Stade Francais in Paris. “He’s a player I trust and he’s coming back,” he noted.
The Australian, who also confirmed Julián Montoya as the captain of Los Pumas, will travel tomorrow to Montevideo, Uruguay, where on Thursday he will witness the meeting of Los Jaguares XV with Selknam from Chile for the eighth date of the South American tournament.
Among his main achievements, Cheika led Australia in the 2015 World Cup in England, in which they lost the final against New Zealand by 34-17; and was consecrated with Leinster from Ireland, champion in 2009 of the Heineken Cup, by beating Leicester from England by 19-16.
the july window
The Argentine rugby team, Los Pumas, led by Australian Michael Cheikawill open the international season with three matches in the country against Scotland, on Saturday, July 2 in Jujuy, on the 9 in Salta and on the 16 in Santiago del Estero.
The Cougars They return to play in Argentina after almost three years, since their last presentation was against the “Springboks” of South Africa (46-13), on August 10, 2019 in Salta.
In the Rugby Championship, which brings together the powers of the southern hemisphere, the national team will open the competition on August 6 against Australia in Mendoza and a week later they will play their revenge against the “Wallabies” in San Juan.
Later they will face the powerful All Blacks of New Zealand, on the 27th in the city of Christchurch and on September 3 in Hamilton.
Finally, the “albiceleste” team will play against South Africa, current world champion, on the 17th at the Vélez stadium and a week later in Durban.
The Argentine national team will close the 2022 international season facing England on November 6, at the Twickenham stadium in London; and six days later he will do it with the representative of Wales, at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
Finally, Los Pumas will visit Scotland on November 19 at Murrayfield in Edinburgh, in the third game they will play in the European autumn international window.
The Pumas continue to occupy ninth place in the ranking prepared by World Rugby, which is headed by South Africa, current world champion, followed by New Zealand.
Source: Ambito
David William is a talented author who has made a name for himself in the world of writing. He is a professional author who writes on a wide range of topics, from general interest to opinion news. David is currently working as a writer at 24 hours worlds where he brings his unique perspective and in-depth research to his articles, making them both informative and engaging.
