Mario Ledesma Arocena
Argentina
player portrait
Full name Mario Ezequiel Ledesma Arocena
Born May 17, 1973, Buenos Aires
Current age 50 years 307 days
Major teams Clermont Auvergne, Argentina, Argentina XV
Position Hooker
Height 5 ft 11 in
Weight 238 lb

Test career
Span Mat Start Sub Pts Tries Conv Pens Drop Won Lost Draw %
All Tests 1996-2011 84 67 17 15 3 0 0 0 42 41 1 50.59
IRB Rugby World Cup 1999-2011 18 17 1 0 0 0 0 0 12 6 0 66.66

Career statistics
Test debut Argentina v Uruguay at Hamilton, Sep 18, 1996 match details
Last Test New Zealand v Argentina at Auckland, Oct 9, 2011 match details
Test Statsguru Main menu | Career summary | Match list | Most points | Most tries | Tournament list
Profile

Argentina hooker Mario Ledesma has formed part of dominant pack during some of the most successful years in the country's rugby history. He made his international debut against Uruguay in 1996 and has gone on to win 77 caps for his country, playing at Rugby World Cups in 1999, 2003 and 2007.

In 2007, while playing his club rugby for French Top 14 side Clermont Auvergne, Ledesma formed part of one of the most aggressive and successful packs in Rugby World Cup history. Alongside props Rodrigo Roncero and Martin Scelzo, Ledesma helped the Pumas to the semi-finals of the tournament. In the opening game the ferocity of the Pumas' forwards secured a famous win over France at the Stade de France, and went on to be a match for every eight that they encountered.

Ledesma was a key component in the Clermont side which took the Top 14 title in 2010. His importance to the national side was further emphasised after he was named in the Argentinean side for the 2011 World Cup. The tournament will be his swansong having announced his retirement from the game at the end of the 2010-11 season.

Ledesma's main qualities are his mobility around the field and dogged workrate, and he is also more than proficient at the set-piece. Before winning full international honours he won caps for Argentina U19 and Students.

Latest Articles
Australia warn Argentina to beware their Bajada (Oct 22, 2015) Wallabies still adjusting to Ledesma scrum school (Aug 4, 2015) Wallabies determined to achieve dominant scrum (Jul 21, 2015) Benn Robinson relishing Ledesma scrum school (Feb 13, 2015) Pumas legend linked to Wallabies scrum post (Jan 9, 2015) Mario Ledesma Arocena news and articles (16) »
Latest Photos
Jul 24, 2015
Australia assistant coach Mario Ledesma barks orders
Australia assistant coach Mario Ledesma barks orders
©  Getty Images
Oct 5, 2011
Argentina's Mario Ledesma checks on the Auckland weather
Argentina's Mario Ledesma checks on the Auckland weather
©  Getty Images
Sep 16, 2011
Argentina's Patricio Albacete, Rodrigo Roncero and Mario Ledesma warm-up in training
Argentina's Patricio Albacete, Rodrigo Roncero and Mario Ledesma warm-up in training
©  Getty Images
May 27, 2011
Clermont Auvergne hooker Mario Ledesma offloads
Clermont Auvergne hooker Mario Ledesma offloads
©  Getty Images
Mario Ledesma Arocena rugby photos (13) »

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