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In his first coaching experience, Juan Manuel Leguizamón will be in charge of Los Pampas in Super Rugby Americas 2024. The former Puma from Santiago del Estero replaces Rugby World Cup 2007 teammate Ignacio Fernández Lobbe for the 2024 campaign.
Leguizamón and Fernández Lobbe both won Bronze Medals at France 2007. The tournament was the last of four World Cups for Fernández Lobbe and the first of four for Leguizamón. The younger brother of the former Pampas coach, Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe was a regular teammate of Leguizamón.
Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe played in three Rugby World Cups, including in two Semi Finals. he made 17 appearances which is the third most by any Puma. Leguizamón is tied for the 6th most caps in World Cups for Argentina with 14.
Leguizamón retired from international duty following Rugby World Cup 2019. He did so with 87 caps to his name. This saw him level with Felipe Contepomi as the most capped Puma of all-time. The record has since been overtaken by five players with Agustín Creevy and Nicolás Sánchez reaching the mark of 100 caps.
The native of Santiago del Estero had a notable professional career. Leguizamón went from the humble beginnings of Santiago Lawn Tennis to playing for elite teams in the English Premiership, French Top 14 and Super Rugby.
First he went from Santiago Lawn Tennis to SIC to play URBA. From there he made his test debut for Argentina against Japan in April 2005. With 30 players unavailable to play for Los Pumas against the British & Irish Lions in Cardiff, Wales an opportunity saw Leguizamón starting at N8.
Leguizamón never looked back from the 25-25 draw in Cardiff. He signed for London Irish where he made 60 appearances and scored eight tries. He subsequently played in France for Stade Français before moving to Lyon after Rugby World Cup 2011.
Like many Pumas, Leguizamón returned from Europe to Argentina to join Los Jaguares for the 2016 Super Rugby season. He played for the Argentine franchise for four years. His final destination as a professional player was Major League Rugby (MLR). Leguizamón signed for the Seattle Seawolves, only to miss out through injury, and then Rugby New York. He retired from rugby in 2022.
