Mario Ledesma quits Wallabies to take up top job at Jaguares

Mario Ledesma has decided to step down as Wallabies scrum coach after the final Bledisloe Cup match in two weeks time to be in charge of the Jaguares in Super Rugby in 2018.

Ledesma told Wallabies players and staff after Australia's 37-20 win over Argentina in Mendoza in what Cheika said was an extremely tough decision for the 44-year-old. 

"I was pretty devastated when he told me but I understood what the story was," Cheika said. "I want him to succeed.

"It took on a serious nature maybe a couple of weeks ago and we discussed it very openly and honestly, that's Mario's style. He is stepping up now to be a head coach and I think the time is right. It wouldn't be happening if he was going to France or England. That guy has committed every inch of himself to the Wallabies." 

The former Argentinian hooker was poached by Cheika to the Waratahs and had signed a deal to be in Australian rugby until the 2019 World Cup. 

Ledesma will stay in Argentina for a few days to organise a transition period with the Jaguares. 

Cheika said he has already spoken to a number of potential Australian candidates for the role and has one in particular on his radar. 

A replacement for Ledesma won't come on in a full-time capacity until after the spring tour. 

Cheika will take an interim coach with the team on the spring tour of Japan and Europe before a person will be officially appointed with an eye to the World Cup.