Ties between Italy and Argentina run deep as old friends face off

The main plot is very clear. Italy v Argentina, at the Stadio Friuli, Udine, on Saturday, kick-off at 6:40pm with referee Mathew Carley in charge.

The subplot is thicker and more appealing. As much as it is Italy v Argentina, it will also be Gonzalo Quesada v Felipe Contepomi, former teammates, old neighbours in Las Lomas de San Isidro, in the outskirts of Buenos Aires, training partners, friends, and both facing their first Autumn Nations Series as coaches of two Tier One nations.

Both teams know each other well – a number of Argentine players ply their trade in Italy and Quesada has coached a large number of these players up until four years ago – and are in desperate need to reaffirm what has been so far a good 2024, face each other in a game with a lot at stake.

Quesada officially joined Italy in January and took his team to the most successful Six Nations ever, with two wins and what should have been a third against France. A player’s coach, with clear ideas on how to play the game, it took him weeks to instil in his players an ambition and a confidence that took them to wins against Wales and Scotland and the draw against France. After a big scoreline against Ireland, they pushed England and lost by three points.

The toughest of tours followed, a logistical nightmare, brought benefits both on the playing field and in getting those big air-miles. After a loss in Apia, the Azzuri went on to beat Tonga and Japan.

Argentina, with Felipe Contepomi replacing new Leicester Tigers’ coach Michael Cheika at the start of the season, has had a successful season, a strange one if it might be said.

An uncomfortable loss in his first game in charge against France was followed a week later by a good win against the same side. A huge win against Uruguay to close the July window was then followed by an unforgettable 38-30 win in Wellington, a record loss for the All Blacks, and a second at home against Argentina.

And herein lays the strangeness of Contepomi’s record so far. It was followed by a 42-10 loss a week later. What should have been a win against the Wallabies in a downpour in La Plata was instead a 19-20 loss to farewell Agustín Creevy from test-rugby.

A 67-27 win against Australia took the world by surprise and two weeks later, again at home, Los Pumas were jumping for joy. South Africa were beaten 29-28. The Springboks travelled better and in  Nelspruit, they tore the Pumas apart 48-7. Continuity has been an issue.

Saturday’s game is the start of a window that will see Italy also play Georgia and the All Blacks and Los Pumas then travel to Ireland and France.

When Contepomi first broke into Los Pumas, Gonzalo Quesada was the established number 10. They would walk down to the nearby Newman school, which Felipe attended and played for the FP club, to kick for hours, honing the skills that made them superstars.

Their first tour together was to Italy, France and Wales in 1998, when three flyhalves were used. Quesada started in the first test, Lisandro Arbizu the second and Felipe closed against Wales. Against Wales A, Quesada replaced Contepomi during the game.

After sharing the 10 jersey in the series against Wales in 1999, against Scotland and Ireland, Contepomi wore number 12 whilst the new Italian coach was at 10. By Rugby World Cup, it was Quesada at the helm, taking home the Golden Boot and acquiring the nickname Speedy Gonzalo for his long preparation prior to taking his kicks. In the final minutes of a seminal game for that generation, against Ireland in Lens, Quesada was moved to fullback and Felipe orchestrated a try that lives in rugby’s lore from 10.

They would compete for the same shirt until the following World Cup in Australia, none taking full ownership. Contepomi’s ability to play also at centre allowed them to play together, as they did in Quesada’s final test, against the Irish in Adelaide. Contepomi would go on to play until 2013 and become a World Rugby Hall of Famer.

“I know Gonza very well, we’ve played together, our families are friends. He is a great coach, but it is not about him. He has an excellent staff and great players. There is continuity from the previous coach (Kieran Crowley) and we know they will be a very difficult team,” said Contepomi after announcing a strong lineup.

He added: “Whilst we respect Italy, we focus on ourselves,” a mantra he has kept since day one.

Included in Argentina is the return of 39-year old tighthead Frankie Gómez Kodela, as Los Pumas continue the search for a player in that position for the future. Wing Rodrigo Isgró who, having moved back to XVs after a successful sevens career, was subbed after 34 minutes against the Springboks, has since started a couple of games for Harlequins and is fast adapting to the larger version. He gets a new chance.

No Carreras this time – winger Mateo or flyhalf Santiago – and at 10, a position both coaches know well, will be Tomás Albornoz, who destroyed the Wallabies earlier this year.

Quesada coached Albornoz in the short lived Super Rugby 2020 season with Jaguares, and he plays for Benetton with many Italian players on Saturday.

Driving a revolution in Italian rugby, Quesada will face his country with pride and passion.

The return of winger Monty Ioane ensures an attacking back three, with fleet-footed Ange Capuozzo and Louis Lynagh, whilst starting centre Juan Ignacio Brex will play against former 2012 Pumitas’ teammate Santiago Cordero if he comes off the bench.

The front-row will have Mirco Spagnolo starting his first test in his ninth cap.

“It is a special game, but I try not to think too much about this, don’t want it to distract me,” Quesada told daily La Nación a few days ago.

“I face more strategically than emotionally. It will be a special day and I know it. It is my shirt, that of Los Pumas and I will sing the national anthem. Yet, I coach Italy, my commitment and respect is 100% with them.”