Argentina have Nathan Cleary in their corner with the NRL star giving the Pumas some kicking pointers before their Tri-Nations clash with the All Blacks.
Soaking up the NRL off-season after Penrith’s grand final defeat and then the NSW State of Origin series loss, Cleary was at the Pumas’ training at Leichhardt Oval on Thursday.
Through a connection with his kicking coach Daryl Halligan, Cleary turned out to give some of the young Pumas some pointers – to the delight of Argentina coach Mario Ledesma, who became a rugby league fan while an assistant coach at the Wallabies and the NSW Waratahs.
Cleary, who received some mid-season advice himself from AFL premiership captain Trent Cotchin, is noted as one of the sharpest boots in the NRL.
“His kicking coach is in New Zealand and he couldn’t come so he offered Nathan to come and give some pointers to the boys,” Ledesma said.
“I thought it was really nice of him to come and give us a hand.
“Being a big rugby league fan I was happy to have him.”
The Pumas woke up to news of the death of Argentine football great Diego Maradona, who had attended many of their Tests including those at the 2015 World Cup.
Ledesma said the coaching staff felt his passing more than the players, who had only seen his legendary acts online.
Playing 84 Tests, Ledesma said he had met Maradona several times and recalled his impact at a Pumas-All Blacks match.
“We were playing against the All Blacks, the game was started and Diego came out and waved and everything stopped,” Ledesma said.
“We Argentinians all stopped and looked up, and the All Blacks stopped.
“The world stopped when he was there, he had a kind of magic.”
Ledesma said the Pumas would try to honour him on the field at McDonald Jones Stadium.
“He’s a big figure in our country and he epitomised a lot of the way the Argentinians are,” he said.
“We’ll try to remember him the best way possible, which was on the field representing the colours, and use that as an example of how to play for this jersey.”
Big Daddy
Guest
After Saturday's result it might have been more beneficial to get Maradona to help them with their kicking game.
soapit
Roar Guru
in all seriousness there are a few bombs that nrl use that havent become too prevalent in rugby yet so i assumed this is what they were interested in.
yeah I think they may not bother with that option again somehow.. :laughing: :laughing:
soapit
Roar Guru
argue it with ledesma
Paulie
Guest
Couldnt stop laughing at that one a league player showing one of the best kickers in the world how to kick...more like a league player learning off a rugby kicking legend.
Dominic Brady
Guest
This is interesting stuff. Cleary is a genuinely great kicker, and no doubt he and Sanchez shared their respected tendencies and insights.
Tree Son
Roar Rookie
My reading of this piece is that a particular kicking coach was not available so one of his pupils was sent in his stead to relay his principles or advice.
he couldnt teach the Puma anything about kicking....I think he is there to learn...
Flyman
Roar Rookie
If the Pumas are looking for tips on kicking distance, then this is the wrong bloke. As for accuracy, I think Sanchez can give Cleary a few tips. Reading the game is another thing all together - two very different codes.
Phil
Guest
I doubt if Sanchez needs any coaching from Cleary!Perhaps Nathan can get a few tips from him while he is there.Sanchez kicking style reminds me of a top pro golfer,minimal effort with maximum result.
DJM
Roar Rookie
Why is he helping the Pumas? Why not? I think it was Australian cricketer Arthur Mailey, who when asked why he was helping an English bowler, replied ‘Art is universal’.
Walter Black
Guest
Positives and Negatives from this Positives, its nice to see the two rugby codes helping each other Negatives, why is he helping the Pumas ? Then again, considering he lost in the Grand Final and lost in Origin maybe that is a good thing :stoked: