Infotainment Factory: Ledesma tear-jerker wins rugby world's hearts

Argentina coach Mario Ledesma has won hearts with his raw unfiltered reaction to the Pumas' first-ever win over the All Blacks.

Argentina shook off more than 13 months of inactivity (due to COVID-19) to post its first-ever win over New Zealand on Saturday, beating the All Blacks 25-15 in a Tri-Nations test on neutral ground at Sydney.

It was an emotional milestone for the South Americans, with cries and hugs abound at full-time.

But perhaps the most stirring of reactions came from Ledesma who was captured on camera taking a moment to cry tears of joy in the coach's box before the final whistle.

Speaking to media after the match, it was plain to see just how much it meant to the coach as he struggled to keep it together when fronting the camera.

"Unreal, unreal – surreal. After everything that happened this year," Ledesma started before turning away from the microphone to compose himself.

"If I tell you what this means I won't be able to talk. The guys work so hard in these conditions."

For Ledesma, who made 84 appearances as a prop for the Pumas, the first win against the All Blacks since official test matches between the two sides commenced in 1985 couldn't have meant more.

The coach's unfiltered reaction garnered a host of support on Twitter, as stakeholders from around the game shared their love for the veteran.

"We have been through hell and sometimes even mistreated and the boys just kept ticking, working and making efforts,'' Ledesma said after composing himself.

"Just staying positive with everything that is going on, which in itself is already a lot.

"And then coming out here and playing the game that they played, it is just incredible.

"Just so proud of them.''