Larkham Rips Into Ledesma

THE banter wars have begun with Wallabies assistant Stephen Larkham taking a massive swipe, albeit entirely tongue-in-cheek, at the coaching ability of new Argentina boss and good mate Mario Ledesma.

Now in charge of Los Pumas, Ledesma served as Australia’s scrum coach for three years but will go head-to-head with his former colleagues for the first time in Saturday’s Rugby Championship Test on the Gold Coast.

So far, it appears they’re relishing the occasion.

Larkham did well to maintain a completely straight face when he delivered sledge after sarcastic sledge about Ledesma to reporters on Tuesday.

“He was here for a couple of years as an assistant coach and, honestly, I don’t know how he’s a head coach now,” Larkham said.

“He struggled as an assistant coach.

“I don’t know what he’s going to come up with this weekend.

“I expect a fair bit of scrummaging, because that’s what he’s good at.

“I can’t see how he’s had the limited success he’s had already.”

Larkham continued by tipping Ledesma would simply rip off the Wallabies’ playbook he helped create during his tenure under Michael Cheika.

“I’ve seen it already, particularly the scrumming stuff. A lot of the techniques I’d spoken to him about he’s implementing now,” he said.

“It’s going to be an interesting game and something I’m looking forward to watching, probably more so for the number of errors they’re going to make.”

In reality, Larkham’s ribbing is a sign of how highly-regarded Ledesma is by Wallabies staffers and how close they remain.

When Larkham dropped the facade, he admitted Australia had to be on guard if they are to back up their gutsy win over South Africa last weekend.

Most of the Argentinian squad have played together all year in Super Rugby for the Jaguares, who were coached by Ledesma before he took up the Test coaching job last month.

Los Pumas defeated the Springboks in Mendoza last month and pushed the All Blacks for an hour before succumbing to a 46-24 defeat at the weekend, which was nowhere near as one-sided as the scoreboard suggests.

“As much as we joke about it, these guys are starting to play some good footy under Mario,” Larkham said.

by Foxsports.com.au 

Larkham was the assistant coach of Jake White at the Brumbies,  White is constantly making ridiculous statements about rugby in SA and the constantly ill-tempered Markham obviously learned from him how to deal with the media.  

Larkham was a brilliant player and covered the backline issues when White was at the Brumbies and in that respect helped White iro backline play - but he is also ambitious and would like to get the Aussie  coaching job if it becomes vacant,

The above quotes of Larkham is indicative of a person who an at best be regarded as having near to zero HR ability.     

It was tongue in cheek, as can be seen from Larkham's closing line:

“As much as we joke about it, these guys are starting to play some good footy under Mario,”

Probably Cera.

AO :"THE banter wars have begun with Wallabies assistant Stephen Larkham taking a massive swipe, albeit entirely tongue-in-cheek, at the coaching ability of new Argentina boss and good mate Mario Ledesma" .

Do these childish talk ups have any effect on the outcomes...I doubt it. I don't understand how "big men" can be intimidated by what anybody says.

I remember Gatland trying these cheap shots prior to WC match Wales/SA...it's laughable, on the contrary it might well have the opposite effect to what was intended.

Dofdoos 

I just referred to Larkham's playing and coaching experiences and as fact is hated by you and distortions is all you ever come up with - one has to wonder how distorted  your mind really is.

Even Matfield said White should shut up about things he has n o interest in.