Gonzalo Quesada cut an urbane look in Dublin this week. The new Italian coach, who offered to answer questions in English, French, Italian and Spanish, aims to overtake Kieran Crowley, who has been head coach since 2021 after taking over from Franco Smith, to become Italy’s national team. There are a few things I need to do first. The Italian team suffered scars and wounds after suffering a crushing 96-17 defeat to New Zealand in last year’s World Cup and a 60-7 defeat to hosts France in the final match.
But the former Argentina international out-half has no intention of disrupting what is there, rather maintaining some cohesiveness and stability as he prepares for the opening Six Nations game against England in Rome.
“First of all, we certainly have some continuity,” Quesada said. “I have a lot of respect for what has been done so far. What is particularly important now is the preparation of the team and that we arrive as prepared as possible for the first game.
“Today’s Italian team has a kind of identity when we talk about rugby style, but I think we need to define the team’s identity more deeply. I have, but like any other human being I feel that emotions are very important. But for us, especially when we talk about rugby, it’s a little more important. My plan is to work deeply with them. It’s about defining a kind of identity together. It’s not Gonzalo’s identity.”
Quesada has been coaching for a decade and a half and believes now is the right time to step into national team waters. However, he is not lacking in international experience. He worked as kicking coach for the French national team from 2008 to 2011, helping them win the Grand Slam in 2010 and reaching the World Cup finals the following year.
He also played for Mario Ledesma’s Pumas side, leading Stade Français to the French Top 14 title in 2015, as well as appearing in the Super Rugby final with the Jaguars.
The Italian federation has made it clear that it has no intention of pressuring Quesada with unrealistic targets that he cannot achieve. We have played against England 30 times and are yet to win. Their best result in the Six Nations came in 2013, when they finished fourth after defeating France and Ireland at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico.
Italy have developed into a dangerous attacking side under Crawley and have achieved several first wins during his tenure, including a win over Wales in Cardiff in 2022 and a first win against Australia. However, his farewell words before taking up a coaching job in Japan showed Quesada that not all of his challenges in the Italian team may be limited to the pitch.
“I just hope they’re treated with a little more respect after this,” Crowley said at the World Cup. “In the next World Cup cycle, a lot of players are going to play 50 or 60 Test matches. But what needs to happen is that these players have a little bit of respect off the field as well. They need to start being treated as such.”
Quesada added five new players to his first Italian national team, injecting freshness mainly into the forwards, but the squad was seen to lack depth and real strength. Ross Vincent, a promising player from South Africa, is expected to be a key player. A rising star alongside Exeter, he is one of the key figures in strengthening Quesada’s pack.
“Choosing Italy was easy. I have previously worked with two national coaching teams, Argentina and France, and have also been a head coach in Europe,” he said. “The next step, and my personal goal, was to be able to lead the national team. I’m really honored to be here. I know it’s a big challenge, but I’m ready. I am confident that it is possible.
“I think it’s important to have a common vision before we talk about the game. I have my own beliefs about the game, the identity and the culture I want, but first I need to understand the Italian rugby culture. Yes, it is important to listen and learn a lot and then I will try to persuade the players and staff to go in the same direction in this great new adventure.”
Quesada won his final cap for Argentina in October 2003, in a narrow one-point defeat against Ireland at the Rugby World Cup in Australia. He was the top scorer at the 1999 Rugby World Cup in Wales with 102 points. He was a thoughtful player and the British media nicknamed him Speedy Gonzalo because he took the time to prepare before taking a goal kick. He is not hasty in any language.