Argentina take on New Zealand tomorrow at the Stade de France, in the first of the Rugby World Cup semi-finals, with the Pumas going in as heavy underdogs against the Ireland conquering All Blacks.
Much has been made so far about South Africa's Munster connection with the likes of Felix Jones, Jean Kleyn, and RG Snyman, but the Argies have strong provincial links as well with ex-Leinster men Felipe Contepomi and Michael Cheika.
Cheika famously ushered in Leinster's ongoing era of dominance, when he took over as head coach of the province in 2005 and guided them to their first Heineken Cup in 2009.
Contepomi was also at the heart of that side, pulling the strings at out-half, before returning to the province ahead of the 2018/2019 season as backs coach.
Both Leinster legends are now part of the backroom team at Argentina, with Cheika as head coach and Contepomi his assistant.
Ex- Leinster Men At The Heart Of Argentina's Rugby World Cup Success
21 May 2022; Leinster backs coach Felipe Contepomi before the United Rugby Championship match between Leinster and Munster at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile
12 January 2010; Leinster head coach Michael Cheika is interviewed for TV ahead of their Heineken Cup game against Brive on Saturday. David Lloyd Riverview, Clonskeagh, Dublin. Photo by Sportsfile
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Speaking at a press-conference yesterday ahead of tomorrow's clash with the All Blacks, Cheika acknowledged Contepomi's time as a coach with Leinster, saying that it has 'brought him to another level'.
Felipe has been unreal. He has a lot of good new ideas, one of his strengths is he is extremely open to learn new things.
We have had some things where I have brought new things to the table and he can, he is very opinionated about what he wants but he opens his mind to look at new things. I think his time at Leinster has made him [go to] another level.
The great players don't always make the best coaches but he was a great player and he is going to be great coach. He has got the knack, he studies opposition well, he has a good rapport with players and he is going to be doing a good job with Argentina in future, for sure.
I think a lot of his ideas as a player plus what he learned at Leinster as a coach are really forming him nicely.
It's an interesting answer from an Irish perspective, but not surprising considering the environment that has been cultivated by Leo Cullen at Leinster, and made it the most sought after club team in the world for coaches.
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