It is with profound sadness that I write about the passing of the greatest rugby teacher from Argentina, Angel “Papuchi” Guastella, last night in Tucumán at the age of 85.
Papu was first a teacher of men, a teacher of rugby and then the greatest rugby coach our country has produced. He played for the national team before it was called Pumas and was the coach of the first team to be called Pumas by the South Africans in 1965. He was coach of that team at 34 years of age. He played number 10 for the Argentina team and for his beloved club Pueyrredon which he co-founded in 1953.
His greatest strength was also his weakness, as he was a teacher of men and so wanted “good people” to play rugby. He always spoke about being “buenos muchachos” (good guys). This – what is now called “no d***heads” by the All Blacks – was another of his innovations into rugby.
I cannot state in these paragraphs accurately or completely his story. I will be brief as it is very hard for me to write this morning.
Papu was single all his life. He was married to the game he always loved. Though he had a girlfriend for decades, they never married. He was a simple and humble man. The elite environment of rugby in Buenos Aires was not to his liking. He disliked the politics involved with rugby management and he succeeded despite not engaging in it.
He coached the Pumas, many other select teams, coached Pueyrredon top teams but he also made time to coach juniors and schools. He was involved for decades with the Instituto Bayard, a private school in Buenos Aires, and also coached at the elite public school Nacional de Buenos Aires. He made his teams from Pueyrredon play in the poor areas of the city against local teams that had no affiliation to the UAR to introduce rugby to others beyond the elite.
He introduced probably the greatest group of players to the national team. He selected Hugo Porta and switched him from scrum half to fly half. He coached Martin Sansot, Marcelo Loffreda, Chapa Branca and a huge number of the greatest Pumas. His latest “pupil” was Nico Sanchez. In his last 15 years, Papu moved to Tucumán and supported Tucumán Lawn Tennis club (the irony of the name for a super power of rugby).
He coached me in high school and as a junior in Puey. He somehow was very fond of our class of 1958 and coached many of them since we were kids. You could always hear his voice on the field! Loud and clear, but I don’t think I ever heard him curse.
He was the coach for the first Pumas at the RWC in 1987, and probably his biggest failure. He wanted the team to behave as professionals in preparing for it. Multiple training sessions, concentrations, etc. But the players insisted they were amateurs and took the tournament as another fun tour. Again, he was ahead of his time. He was a true professional but he never made any fortune from rugby. He died of modest means as he lived his entire life.
The entire rugby nation is in mourning. A true giant is gone. A second father to many of us, a dear friend. Bye, enjoy the game above. I am sure you have lots of friends waiting for you: Yangüela, Gutierrez…
MickD
Guest
Carlos, that', truly beautiful tribute to the man. it reminds me of a handful of memories from Argentinian rugby coaches and writers Hugo Porta in an interview criticised the latest trend of coaches barking instructions from the sidelines - 'if they cannot make decisions on the pitch then how can they learn to make decisions in real life?' Now there is Pichot leading World Rugby saying that to only think of rugby in Fiji one day of the year - when our team is playing them - is not remotely enough to help them be competitive there's something timeless and profound about Puma rugby culture and that's the arena where this man will be revered. Michael
Dario
Guest
Tambien fue mi entrenador en el CNBA, un verdadero grande!
Nobrain
Guest
Well done Carlos.
Carlos the Argie
Roar Guru
Thanks Chinmay.
Carlos the Argie
Roar Guru
Thanks, Digger. Going to Chicago to see your boys later this month. Hope to report for the Roar.
Carlos the Argie
Roar Guru
Thanks Kirky.
Carlos the Argie
Roar Guru
Thanks RT.
Carlos the Argie
Roar Guru
Thanks, Harry.
Carlos the Argie
Roar Guru
Gracias, Dario, abrazo desde lejos. Fue mi entrenador en el CNBA y en Puey. Un caballero.
Carlos the Argie
Roar Guru
Thank you so much for your kind words.
Kirky
Roar Rookie
Humbling indeed Carlos, ~ that's what it's all about, saluting and remembering the great ones, the ones who stay in your focus forever. CONDOLENCES: ~ All Argentinian rugby folk!
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Didn't know the man ... but thank you Carlos for enlightening me.. a nice tribute... RIP Angel
Harry Jones
Expert
Thanks for this piece on a Puma hero. RIP.
Dario
Guest
That's very sad news Carlos. Papuchi was my coach at school for many years. He was really passionate about rugby and about teaching and he definitely had an eye for spotting good players. But more importantly he always had something positive to say and has never discouraged players that were not very good. He would talk the same way to school kids, a prospective Pumita or a Puma. He was a real gentleman. It was a pleasure and luxury to have such a teacher in a public school at a time where most other teachers were completely authoritarian.
Digby
Roar Guru
A lovely tribute. My condolences Carlos.
Chinmay Hejmadi
Roar Guru
Such a moving tribute, Carlos. My condolences to you and the entire Argentine rugby fraternity. May Angel rest in peace.
Ralph
Roar Guru
Condolences Carlos. I wrote this for you my friend. Check in the mirror, swipe away tears, Gather your courage and keep your eye keen. Get the old suit out, polish black shoes, Brush the grey hair, straighten school ties. Turn off the lights, shut all the blinds, Lock the front door and start up the engine. Stop all the buses, park all the planes, Silence the crowds and fix the lights green. Sweep up the leaves, place all the chairs, Shuffle through slowly in seated life quiet. In twilight and shadows, let them all come, Men of all nations to honour the one. To honour a lifetime, his work and our memory, All that remains of the years of his sunlight. Now let the tears flow, instruments mournful. Let old women wail and heart rent asunder. For this is the end of man, of time, dust and spirit, Born into hardship, poured out for a moment. File away memories, all that remains, Of a giant who gave, to the end of his days. With apologies to WH Auden.
Machooka
Roar Guru
Yes indeed Carlos... and further to that 'Argie character' you should also include passionate eh. All the best amigo in your grief. Vale Angel!
Carlos the Argie
Roar Guru
Thanks Chook. You cannot imagine how hard it has been (to me) to the Argentine world that interacted with him. I've known him for so many years, I think since 1973, and he always treated me with the utmost respect and care. But he treated everyone the same way. Argie seems to have been built with the same mold. Character, good people, polite and strong. We need more people like that.
Machooka
Roar Guru
Lovely heart felt epitaph Carlos... sadly our planet has lost two buenos muchachos this week in Angel and Arnold. Maybe Angel can now enlighten Arnold about our beautiful game... and in return get some tips on how to improve his golf game :)