Rugby World Cup
Mario Ledesma hopes to extend Wallabies role under Michael Cheika
AAP
October 7, 2015
Mario Ledesma © Getty Images
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Mario Ledesma, the man credited with resurrecting the Wallabies' dormant scrum, has declared his intentions to extend his posting under coach Michael Cheika.

Ledesma is expected to be a man in high demand after his miracle job in turning the Wallabies' pack into a force again, not least from Rugby Championship rival Argentina, for whom he won 84 Test caps. But the "scrum doctor", who also works with the Waratahs, has spoken of his desire to stay with the Wallabies at least the three-Test series against England in Australia next June.

"I'm enjoying myself so much," Ledesma said. "This is the place I want to be, here, right now."

Ledesma enjoys working with Cheika, who initially brought the Argentine to Australia to work with the Waratahs; the pair share an old-school mentality and work on a rolling basis - with no long-term contracts signed as they trust each other's word.

When Ledesma was initially brought in to work with the Waratahs, he jokes that it was as an intern on a tourist visa. Cheika suggested he sign a short-term deal when things started going well, which led to another visa and then a third before he was asked about fixing the Wallabies' scrum woes before the World Cup.

"And I've been going from there, every time."

The fruits of his labour are there for all to see, with the Australian scrum banishing their Twickenham demons on Saturday night. After years of heartache and humiliation, the Wallabies tight five turned the tables and handed out some lessons of their own - winning six scrum penalties against England's famed pack.

Certainly it is welcome news to Stephen Moore.

"He's been tremendous for us as a scrum coach," the Wallabies hooker and captain said. "You pick up, when talking to him, the passion that he has for that part of the game, the knowledge he's carried throughout his long career playing international rugby and now as a coach he's really brought a positive contribution to the way we're scrummaging."

© AAP

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