- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
After over five years in charge Santiago Phelan resigned as the head coach of Argentina a few weeks before their end of year Tests against England, Wales and Italy.
The timing is not good for the Pumas, as they come off a winless Rugby Championship campaign, despite performing well against the big southern hemisphere nations of Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
Though Phelan brought Argentina into the Rugby Championship his departure is not a surprise. It had been rumoured he was thinking of leaving his job even during their debut foray into the tournament last year.
Phelan had a commendable career in his playing days as a flanker but it has been said by critics that he was was a bit conservative at times and unwilling to blood players – notably in the backs.
The Argentine Rugby Union’s (the UAR) decision about who to appoint as Phelan’s successor is vital.
The next head coach will bring with him his vision in how he wants the Pumas to play.
In the past the Argentineans have been labelled as a southern hemisphere team with the tactics of a northern hemisphere team. It is easy to see why: many of the Pumas play in France’s Top 14.
Moreover, the Pumas pride themselves on their powerful pack and scrum. Argentines love seeing their front five push back the opposition’s pack around the park.
Their loose forwards are notorious scavengers, eager to contest the breakdown and make sure the opposition do not play at any tempo but the Argentine one: scrappy and frustrating.
It shows the mindset of the Argentineans, especially when Argentina’s young star in the Rugby Championship was flanker Pablo Matera. The 20-year-old’s performances caught the eye of English Premiership side Leicester Tigers who offered him a contract until the end of the season.
World Cup-winning coach Graham Henry’s appointment as technical assistant to the Pumas has allowed the backs to show their skills off more often during the two years he has worked with them.
However, during this year’s Rugby Championship, notably in the game against Australia in Perth, the Pumas were content to use their forwards to try to inch their way over the try line rather than use the backs to formulate a creative attack.
So who is the favourite to replace Phelan? The home-grown choice would certainly lead to ex-Argentine fly-half Gonzalo Quesada who is developing his resume after gaining valuable experience after being an assistant at France (2008-11) and Racing Metro (2011-12).
Though his stint as coach of Racing Metro (2012-13) did not work out, it is as coach of Stade Francais where his reputation has skyrocketed.
The Parisian side look rejuvenated and have made an excellent start to the season, playing quality rugby in their new 20,000 Stade Charlety stadium.
While Quesada might not be ready for international rugby just yet but he is certainly one for the future.
Another choice is Daniel Hourcade who is rumoured to take over as interim coach of Argentina during the end-of-year Tests.
Though untried at international level he is a man with talent, for he is coach of the Pampas XV – an Argentine team that plays in the Vodacom Cup: South Africa’s third-tier competition behind Super Rugby and the Currie Cup.
In addition, he played a dominant role in developing several young players while at Pampas, such as Racing Metro winger Juan Imhoff, and nurturing exciting players like full back Santiago Cordero. He is also in charge of Argentina A, known as Los Jaguares.
If Hourcade performs well in the end of year Tests he could be given a chance to continue as head coach by the UAR.
It is also possible he could be shortlisted as a possible head coach of an Argentine franchise should they be admitted into Super Rugby in 2016.
The front-runners among the foreign coaches would be Waratahs coach Michael Cheika and ex-Australia coach Robbie Deans.
There were rumours that Cheika had been in talks with the UAR when the Waratahs toured Argentina earlier this summer. However, it seems that Cheika will stay in New South Wales, despite the notorious difficulties Cheika has had with the board.
But if Cheika did get appointed as Pumas coach it would be a great signing. Cheika can make under-performing teams turn into tough outfits – just look at the Waratahs who improved last Super Rugby season after the depths of despair they had fallen into prior to Cheika’s arrival.
While Robbie Deans has not been linked with the Pumas job, in my view it would be an excellent chance for the ex-Crusaders coach to redeem himself.
Deans’ reputation was tarnished after his ill-fated tenure with Australia that was cut short after his Wallabies’ destruction at the hands of the Lions in Sydney.
If Deans were to be appointed, I am sure the Kiwi would work wonders. He would inherit a Pumas side not as talented as the SANZAR countries but full of spirit: in sharp contrast to when Deans coached Australia when at times the Wallabies had players who bordered on selfish.
Whoever is chosen to replace Phelan will have a plethora of issues to work through, especially around blooding new talent into the senior side: notably in the backs where there is a pool of emerging players.
One thing is for sure: the UAR needs to get it right because the future of Argentine rugby is at stake.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.