That game – well-known from a Welsh perspective as the one in which the great Alun Wyn Jones made his debut – saw the Pumas secure a shock result against all the odds.
Argentina’s squad had been involved in a spat with their governing body in 2006 with the country’s 60 best players sending a letter of resignation to the Pumas board just two months before they faced Wales.
It was hardly ideal preparation for a Test match, but their response was superb.
Former hooker Ledesma led from the front alongside his captain Agustin Pichot that day as they upset the travelling Welsh side.
It proved to be the springboard for Argentina going on to finish third at the 2007 Rugby World Cup a little over a year later.
On Saturday, Argentina will face Wales once again – it will be the 19th meeting between the two sides – with Ledesma plotting another triumph.
Asked for his best memories of facing Wales, Ledesma said: “Maybe the one we played in Puerto Madryn because we were coming from a difficult situation and conflicts with the officials at the Argentine Rugby Union. It was important for the team to prove itself and win.
“We won playing well. We took more strength from what we were already building after that win.”
Ledesma tackles Alun Wyn Jones in Argentina’s win over Wales in 2006
Ledesma won 84 caps for Argentina in a glittering playing career.
Now he is in charge of the team’s direction from a coaching perspective and is doing a similarly good job in management as he did when he ran out on the field.
With Ledesma in charge, Argentina claimed a famous win over New Zealand and drew twice with Argentina at the end of 2020. Those results showed just how dangerous a side they can be.
The Pumas planned to host Wales this summer before the Covid-19 pandemic meant the two Test matches had to be rescheduled for Cardiff instead of South America.
“Being consistent is always an integral part of high-performance sport,” said Ledesma. “That is the challenge we are facing and that’s more the case when you don’t get together very often.
“In last year’s case it wasn’t about not being together for a long time, but not playing rugby at all. I think we won matches because we really believed.
“Sometimes we think that confidence only builds from winning, but I think inning is built around confidence and that, in time, can become a virtuous circle.”
Being consistent is always an integral part of high-performance sport. That is the challenge we are facing and that’s more the case when you don’t get together very often
Argentina warmed up for facing Wales with a 24-17 victory over Romania last weekend, but Ledesma has admitted his team’s preparation has not been ideal.
Argentina’s sole professional side Jaguares has been unable to play as it has done in the past since the start of the pandemic after previously competing in Super Rugby.
Indeed, such was the strength of the Jaguares that in 2019 they reached the Super Rugby final where they were beaten by New Zealand side Crusaders.
Now, Ledesma’s players are almost all plying their trade in Australia, New Zealand or in European rugby.
“It is certainly very different to where we were a few years ago when everybody was in the same hemisphere and everyone was playing together,” Ledesma said.
“Now, we have players coming from the northern hemisphere and others from the southern. We have some that finished playing a couple of months ago and others a couple of weeks ago.
“In that sense, it is both interesting and complex to get them all on the same page, but we are happy to be here and the players have a lot of desire to put the jersey on again.
“What I do know is the team Wales can put on the field is very experienced. They are more so in the backs and Wales has already proven they can compete without some of their better-known players.
“This series is as important as every other. It is a pity this series was supposed to be played at home in Argentina and hypothetically in front of our fans, but that was not possible.
“Still, for us, as always, it is about the importance of playing for Argentina again and validating the work we are doing.
“We have travelled with very few players from Argentina – 95 per cent of the players are based in France, the UK or Australia. We have them spread all around.
“When I spoke about the complexity of coming together as a squad, one of the very good things that comes from this is that they all miss this environment, being together, and putting on the jersey.
“I expect desire and commitment from the players and for them to showcase the standard they are capable of which is why they are called from top clubs.”
Wales head coach Wayne Pivac ahead of Saturday’s game with Argentina
Dragons scrum-half Gonzalo Bertranou is the only Welsh-based player in the Argentina squad and he is set to face a number of his regional colleagues in the next fortnight.
Back-row man Federico Wegrzyn is the only uncapped player with Leicester Tigers hooker Julien Montoya named as captain.
Tomas Lezana is one Argentine player who Welsh rugby fans will become more familiar with in the next few years as he has signed for the Scarlets from the start of the 2021/22 season.
The 27-year-old is a well-established international with 39 caps to his name already although he won’t face Wales as he continues to recover from a foot injury.
“It’s an ambition of mine to start regularly for the Pumas. I love my country and I love representing my country,” he said.
“I would like to play many games for the Scarlets so I can improve and earn my place in the Pumas side. There is immense competition for places in the Pumas back-row.
“We have some really good players in the back-row like Facundo Isa, Pablo Matera and Marcus Kremer, but if I perform consistently well for the Scarlets then I’m hoping I can start for the Pumas.
“I played when we beat the All Blacks recently and it was amazing for me and the team because they are the best team in the world.
“The last year leading up to it was really difficult for us but we came together and won. We enjoyed that victory very much.
“I had an injury in my foot and I’m currently recovering. I think I need one week more to be ready, but I’m not available to play Wales. I’m really excited to see the boys play. I think they will be really interesting and tough games with good rugby played – I don’t know who will win.”
Argentina side to face Wales: Juan Cruz Mallía; Santiago Carreras, Matías Moroni, Jerónimo de la Fuente, Santiago Cordero; Nicolás Sánchez, Tomás Cubelli; Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, Julián Montoya (capt), Francisco Gomez Kodela, Guido Petti, Marcos Kremer, Pablo Matera, Facundo Isa, Rodrigo Bruni.
Replacements: Facundo Bosch, Facundo Gigena, Santiago Medrano, Tomas Lavanini, Matias Alemanno, Gonzalo Bertranou, Domingo Miotti, Santiago Chocobares.
