Rugby, decided after Crowley: Gonzalo Quesada will be the new blue coach

After so many New Zealanders, French, South Africans, Irish, from next year it’s the turn of an Argentine. Gonzalo Quesada will lead Italy in rugby from January 1st, Kieran Crowley leaves at the end of the French autumn World Cup: the changeover, anticipated days ago, was made official today by the Fir. At 49, Quesada boasts an important coaching curriculum: in France as coach of the Stade Français he won the Bouclier de Brennus in 2015 and the Challenge Cup in 2017, previously he had been assistant to Marc Lievrèmont who as coach of France achieved World Cup final in 2011, triumphing the previous season in the Six Nations (complete with a Grand Slam). Originally from Buenos Aires, raised in the Hindu Club and graduated in Economics at the University of Belgrano, Quesada also boasts a brilliant career as a fly-half: in his 38 appearances for Argentina he has scored 486 points, fourth Puma more ever prolific. Still in the role of technician he drove for 2 seasons in Racing 92, always in Paris. After a one-year spell at Biarritz in 2017, the following year he became head coach of the Jaguares, the Argentine Super Rugby franchise, immediately reaching the final of the Southern Hemisphere’s iconic tournament against the New Zealand Crusaders. In 2020 he returned to France, for a second adventure with Stade Français.

President Innocenti: “An ambitious project”

“The arrival of Gonzalo Quesada on the Italian bench is wonderful news for all of our rugby”, assures Marzio Innocenti, Fir president. “We bring to our country and to our movement one of the most prominent young coaches on the international scene, who shares our projects and ambitions, the vision of a national team that in the years to come, along the road that leads us to the Rugby World Cup Australian player of 2027, will be able to represent a real danger for all opponents. We were impressed by Gonzalo not only by a winning coaching curriculum for such a young figure, but in particular by his burning desire to make Italy a point of reference in the test-match scenario”.

“One of the most coveted young technicians”

“To realize this desire and this vision, he renounced offers of great value, not just sports, in a French championship where he enjoys great esteem and this makes his decision an even greater value,” continues Innocenti. “Together we want to steer the men’s national team towards the future it deserves and which, thanks to the work of those who preceded Gonzalo in these two years, has already begun to become a reality. We look forward to seeing him soon in Italy, together with his family to take the first steps of this new path that will start after the World Cup in September”.

Quesada: “Honored and proud to lead the Azzurri”

Enthusiastic Quesada: “I am honored and proud to become the coach of the Italian national team in the years to come. I thank the Federation, the President and the Council for this opportunity and for this great challenge. Italy has improved a lot in recent seasons, respecting their usual strengths while developing a challenging game. There is a talented group of athletes who will develop growing international experience over the next few years. Our exciting mission will be to guide them through this journey by working hard, respecting and developing Italian culture and values, to bring this team to express its maximum potential”.