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There’s no secret Michael Cheika has myrtle green blood flowing through his veins.
His years as Randwick captain and later coach brought the side to Shute Shield premierships. These years were spent with running rugby that rightfully earned the side the tag of the ‘Galloping Greens’.
The other half of the story is Mario Ledesma, who earned 84 caps for the Pumas between 1996 and 2011, and in his heyday was rated one of the world’s best hookers.
The Cheika-Ledesma coaching combination started at Stade Francais, continued with the Waratahs, and when Cheika took over as Wallaby coach, Ledesma became his forwards coach for the last three years.
Recently from left field, Ledesma called halt when he was offered the Jaguares Super Rugby coaching job.
“It was the hardest decision of my life, I’ve enjoyed my stint with the Wallabies, and I can’t thank Michael Cheika enough for his support, and for giving me the opportunity to develop as a coach,” were Ledesma’s parting words.
“I wish him well, he’s a good man,” was Cheika’s reply.
Obviously, Ledesma had been well and truly drilled about Randwick running rugby during his stay with Cheika.
Yesterday morning, the Jaguares played Randwick rugby against the Waratahs in Buenos Aires, scoring from the Waratah kick-off in just 16 seconds, scoring again in the 11th, 16th, and the 19th minute to lead 26-0 over the shell-shocked Waratahs.
It was virtually game, set, and match.
(AAP Image/Paul Miller)
The final score was 38-28, but only because the Waratahs scored two converted tries in the last 90 seconds to put some respectability into the scoreline.
For those who can remember the Randwick backlines of the past, it was like watching Ken Catchpole, Phil Hawthorne, Michael Cleary, John Brass, Russell Fairfax, Ken Wright, the three Ellas, and David Campese in action, just to name a few.
But the likes of winger Emiliano Boffelli, who scored the first two tries in 11 minutes, fullback Joaquin Tuculet, fly-half Nicolas Sanchez, centres Marias Orlando and Santiago Iglesias, and halfback Gonzalo Bertranou could well have been wearing myrtle green jerseys yesterday – they were electric.
The Waratahs enjoyed 53 per cent possession and 54 per cent territory, yet seemed to be starved of the ball with the Jaguares defence right up in their face with constant devastating defence – and running rugby.
It was the reason why the Waratahs managed 18 turnovers to 14, and missed 28 tackles to 23.
But in all honesty, the Jaguares’ six tries to four flattered the Waratahs.
Jaguares hooker Augustine Creevy wasn’t the side’s captain, but he was like watching former All Black hooker-captain Sean Fitzpatrick in action keeping full pressure on referee Mike Fraser by questioning just about every decision.
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Michael Hooper went missing in that department for most of the game.
The Jaguares scrum was dominant, nothing new in that with the Waratahs losing three tight-heads, but hooker Damien Fitzpatrick held his own feeding the Waratah lineout.
To give the Waratahs the credit they deserve, they fought hard for 80 minutes, but were simply out-gunned.
The usual Waratah suspects stood out with Kurtley Beale and Israel Folau by far the most dangerous in attack, and safe in defence.
Curtis Rona and halfback Jake Gordon were two constant goers, and with better ball from the forwards, all four will be even more dangerous.
But yesterday the Waratahs were rolled by a runaway train.
Which translates to Michael Cheika teaching Mario Ledesma far too well about Randwick rugby.