Argentina coach Mario Ledesma reckons Rugby Australia would be foolish to punt Michael Cheika as Wallabies coach, even if they’re beaten again by his side in Salta.
Cheika’s future is expected to come under review if Australia loses on Sunday morning and finishes up with their first ever Rugby Championship wooden spoon.
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The Wallabies are in the midst of a barren run of just two wins from 10 games this year and have never suffered consecutive losses against Los Pumas.
But having worked alongside him for much of his coaching career before returning to his home country and prevailing in their first head-to-head battle last month, Ledesma believes Cheika does his best work in a crisis.
“I’ve known Cheik for a bit now. I know how he thinks,” Ledesma told reporters in Salta. “Obviously he doesn’t want to be in this situation but this is where he’s best at. He shines in the tough moments and obviously you need results to back it up but he’s not fazed by pressure.
“He doesn’t do this for money obviously. He does it because he loves it and the players love him and the staff is behind him.”
With less than 12 months to go until the World Cup, it would be a gamble to sack Cheika, particularly given there’s no obvious replacement for him.
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Then again, Cheika came into the job just months before the 2015 World Cup and managed to get the Wallabies into the final.
“I hope we win, don’t get me wrong, but I don’t think Cheik’s going anywhere,” Ledesma said. “And he shouldn’t.
“They did it last World Cup so you never know. But I don’t see that happening and I don’t see a better solution than having Cheik over there in the staff.”
Ledesma said he still kept abreast of Wallabies developments due to his strong attachment to the team, having served as forwards coach for three years. He was intrigued by Will Genia’s bold prediction that Australia would win.
“I don’t know about the promise but he’s killing it. That’s a good sign for their team, if he’s confident,” Ledesma said. “If he wins he wins. If he doesn’t win, I mean, they’re already bagging them, so nothing’s going to change.”