2023-12-19 13:44:37
It was an expected announcement. Former Argentinian fly-half and three-quarter center Felipe Contepomi, part of the team which took third place in the 2007 World Cup, has been named coach of the Pumas to replace Michael Cheika, the Argentine Federation announced on Monday (UAR).
Present since March 2022 in the Pumas staff of which he was the back lines coach, at 46 years old he takes over from the Australian technician who led Argentina to fourth place in the last World Cup, this fall in France.
“The Argentine Rugby Federation (UAR) announces that Felipe Contepomi will be the new head coach of the Pumas, thus continuing the process started with Michael Cheika in 2022” declared the UAR in a press release. Former international (87 caps), spent by Toulon, Stade français and the Irish province of Leinster, Contepomi began his coaching career in the management of the Jaguares in Argentina before joining the Leinster staff between 2018 and 2022.
The career of Felipe Contepomi, new head coach of Los Pumas ????
???? Puma Nº #585
???? 87 caps with Los Pumas (between 1998 and 2013)
???? Captain of Los Pumas between 2008 and 2011
????Retired in Newman in 2014#SomosLosPumas pic.twitter.com/IK7kGrQa1Y
— Los Pumas (@lospumas) December 18, 2023
Cheika said he was “very disappointed” by the 26-23 defeat against England in Paris in the match for third place at the World Cup, won by the South Africans. Asked about his future, the Australian coach confided that he didn’t have the slightest idea. “I didn’t even think about it,” he assured. By opting for Contepomi, the Pumas are choosing continuity, with the 2027 World Cup in Australia in their sights.
During his playing career, Contepomi played in four World Cups. In 2007, already in France, he was one of the major architects of the third place won by the Pumas, who beat the Blues in the small final (34-10).
#Rugby #Felipe #Contepomi #coach #Argentina