Michael Cheika completed the technical staff of Los Pumas along with Felipe Contepomi and a former All Blacks

The Pumas already have a complete staff to face the path they will take France World Cup 2023. Michael Sheika, who took over a few months ago as the new head coach of the Argentine team, confirmed who the last two names will be to join his coaching staff. One is a man with a long history in blue and white rugby: Philip Contepomi, who will oversee back training and offense. Another, a new face with a lot of international experience: the New Zealander David Kidwellwho will focus his work on defense.

They will complete the staff of coaches who will join the Australian coach and he will also form Andres Bordoywho will oversee the play of forwards and scrums, and Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbeto be allocated to line-out and ruck.

Contepomi, who is now working as an assistant coach Leinster of Irish rugby, he will leave that post after his club in this season’s competition, where the final of Champions Cup (face La Rochelle on May 28) and the playoffs of United Rugby Championship.

“Being part of the national team is always an honor. But at the same time, it takes a huge responsibility and I am pleased to accept it and try to contribute something to the team. Very good things have been done in a few years and the Argentine team is on a good path, but I hope you can contribute to me ”, the former opening comment appeared on New person.

Wearing a Pumas shirt, Contepomi played 87 games between 1998 and 2013 and scored 651 points (he was the second all-time scorer behind Nicolás Sánchez). He was one of the most important players on the squad that won the historic bronze at France World Cup 2007 and wore the captain’s ribbon in 25 games between 2007 and 2013.

After his retirement as a player, he had his first experience as a coach as part of the Jaguares staff at Super Rugby 2016 and then he became the coach of Argentina XV. For four years he was part of the coaching staff of Leinster, one of the best teams in Europe, where he coached backs.

“Felipe will bring a very different approach to the team, how we play, not only in the attacking aspect. He has a lot of experience as a player, but he has also been involved with one of the best clubs in The world right now and the experience to bring to Los Pumas inspires me and I will learn, it will make me a better coach, ”Cheika said in a presentation by his colleagues.

The relationship between Contepomi and Cheika has a long history. It started when the Australian coach arrived in Leinster in 2005, where Felipe was playing the opening. And when he took over as head coach of the Stade Francais in 2010, he took the Argentine with him.

“I had the chance to train him and it was a real pleasure. He was an elite player. Now that he’s a coach, I know he’ll transfer all that knowledge,” Cheika said.

“The opportunity and challenge presented by Michael and UAR inspires me and I look forward to continuing my journey of teaching at home. Being able to coach your country is a special thing. Rugby in a similar way and the opportunity getting him to work is another motivation, ”Contepomi said.

Meanwhile, Kidwell has no hesitation in aiming high.. “I want to help put the Pumas in the top four of the ranking. I’m a winner. I’m here to win the World Cup. That’s my mentality,” said the 45-year-old New Zealander.

“I talked a lot with Michael about my way of working. I had high standards and I knew I would take the players to an uncomfortable place. It was a difficult decision, because I had to learn a new language, adapt in other cultures, but I am very happy, “he added.

A native of Christchurch, Kidwell spent time at various clubs in Australia (Adelaide Rams, Parramatta Eels, Sydney City Roosters, Melbourne Storm and South Sydney Rabbitohs) and had a brief stint with the English side Warrington Wolves between 2001 and 2002.

On his country’s national team, where he played 25 games between 1999 and 2008, he won the title Three Countries 2005 and the World Cup in Australia 2008. As a manager, he managed the All Blacks between 2016 and 2018; He was an assistant of the Japanese national team in the process of preparing for the 2019 World Cup and between 2020 and 2022 he was the head coach of New Zealand Maori All Stars.

“David is someone I met recently in Australia. He has had a brilliant career as a rugby league player in Australia and England, and now as a manager. After watching a lot of Pumas videos, we agreed to join him. on the team and I think he will be very happy to coach defense and switch sports, ”Cheika said. the

And he concluded: “It is important to have this well-trained team to enjoy the return of Argentine rugby to the world stage. There is a great love for this sport and we want people to enjoy watching. Los Pumas. “

The road to France 2023 will begin

The first promises of Los Pumas included Michael Sheika on the bench, which will mark the official start of the road to next year’s World Cup, are the three trials against the July window, which the national team will host. Scotland. The first match will be played on July 2 in Jujuy. The second, after a week in Salta. And the last, on the 16th of the same month in Santiago del Estero.

Then it will be the turn of Rugby Championshipwhich will be played between Aug. 6 and Sept. 24. Meanwhile, the Argentine team will close the season with three games in the November window, against England in London, on Sunday 5; in view of Welsh in Cardiff, on Saturday 12; and against Scotland in Edinburgh, on Saturday 19.

At the World Cup, to be held in France from September 8 to October 28 next year, Argentina will include Group D beside England, Japanese, Samoa and an American team to be identified. The national team’s debut is on September 9 against the English team in Marseille.