The mentor graduated to the Los Pumas' top job after working wonders as the Wallabies' forwards coach for three years.

Saturday's Rugby Championship Test on the Gold Coast will mark his first reunion with opposite number Michael Cheika, although he's revealed the pair have already caught up for a midweek brew.

"Just two old friends having a beer, chatting about life, family," Ledesma said on Friday.

"Our wives and kids are good friends, used to go to the same school ... lots of common points between us, a really strong bond.

"It's nice coming over here, meeting with Cheik and the boys but when the whistle blows it's another story and we'll have a beer after the game."

Wallabies assistant Stephen Larkham initiated the banter earlier in the week when he jokingly sent a few sledges Ledesma's way.

The visiting coach returned serve on Thursday but on game-day eve cut a more serious figure.

Argentina haven't won in Australia since 1983 but will be a threat based on their plucky form against New Zealand last weekend and their defeat of South Africa at home last month.

The late withdrawal of Wallabies captain Michael Hooper (hamstring) should help the visitor's cause but Ledesma remains wary.

"I know that they've been having problems (with injuries) the last couple of weeks. It's been weird," he said.

"I told Cheik he needs to see a witch (doctor) or something.

"But that help the cohesion, too, when you're fighting all that stuff it makes you really dangerous ... by no means is it a negative."

Ledesma, who used to sing his country's anthem when Australia played his homeland, also admitted his players looked a little sunburnt after a week on the Gold Coast.

"I guess they went to the beach but I'm not going to judge. It's a beautiful place, beach is 200 metres away, so good on them," he said.

Australian Associated Press