Argies de facto Confirmed?

[DPK]

Argentina set to join new SANZAR Four Nations competition in 2012
May 13, 2010 - 9:30am
Story by: SANZAR

The team known by their countrymen as "Los Pumas"

SANZAR have today welcomed the decision of the IRB Council to change the player availability regulation marking a major step towards Argentina’s national team, Los Pumas, participating in a new SANZAR Four Nations competition from 2012.



The decision by the IRB Council today to alter IRB Regulation 9 which governs the release of players for international duty, greatly assists in meeting the condition set by SANZAR that Argentina was required to secure the availability of its best players to participate in the Four Nations tournament.

The change will ensure that the release period for the new Four Nations (currently Tri Nations) aligns with the new dates for the competition from late August through until early October.



In September 2009, SANZAR issued an invitation to the Pumas to join the SANZAR competition from 2012 subject to several conditions which have now been resolved. Negotiation of a participation agreement with the UAR remains the last hurdle for inauguration of the new competition.



“This is an exciting step for SANZAR and for world rugby, as it confirms Argentina’s participation in a top-flight rugby competition, which they thoroughly deserve, and will add a dynamic new element to the current Tri Nations, which is already regarded as one of the world’s toughest tournaments,” said SANZAR and New Zealand Rugby Union CEO Steve Tew.



“We now need to finalise a participation agreement with the UAR so we can move to full planning for the introduction of Argentina in 2012,” he said.



The IRB confirmed in March that it would match SANZAR and provide a significant investment of US$2.5m per annum from 2012 to 2015.



SANZAR has also confirmed today that the three SANZAR Unions and their Super Rugby teams will work with the UAR to look at providing greater opportunities for Argentinean players to play in Super Rugby teams as part of the lead-up to the new Four Nations.

Fundings there, now the Regulation 9 availability is ensured. What's left to do?

 

[chief]

Will they be playing from Argentina? Or based out of SA, or Australia?

 

[AIDAN]

Reports suggesting that SANZAR have offered a place in the Tri-Nations to Argentina and the Pacific Islanders for next season are coming from various sources around the world.

A newspaper in Argentina and websites in New Zealand are reporting that the Tri-Nations could be expanded into a five team tournament from next season.

The tournament, which would replace the Tri-Nations as it currently stands, would be welcomed by the Pacific Island nations of Fiji, Tonga and Samoa, but whether or not Argentina would be able to get their top players released from club commitments is still uncertain.

There has been no official confirmation of these reports at this stage.

Pacific Islands a chance to be included?

 

[Newb]

i like how this could be shaping up. but of course if the PI and Argy teams can't get their best players available for it they'll be little more than speedbumps.

with their best squads though, some very entertaining games could be seen. i reckon they may not get that close to winning the comp, but they should add some life to it and will be competitive.

the style of play the two new teams can offer will be a welcome addition for me.

 

[RugbyFuture]

Will they be playing from Argentina? Or based out of SA, or Australia?

why would they play out of anywhere but argentina?

 

[AIDAN]

i like how this could be shaping up. but of course if the PI and Argy teams can't get their best players available for it they'll be little more than speedbumps.

with their best squads though, some very entertaining games could be seen. i reckon they may not get that close to winning the comp, but they should add some life to it and will be competitive.

the style of play the two new teams can offer will be a welcome addition for me.

i would agree with that for the most part. however i do like the current tri-nations and the fact it is just these 3 teams builds such a fierce rivalry year in year out. although Aus havent won the bledisloe in recent years it still is just as entertaining as ever and just as exciting. can you see PI and Argentina emulating similar rivalries with the current 3?

 

[Newb]

AD, i agree that the rivalry aspect may be diluted a bit. i don't think it will be that strong, maybe PI and NZ? they seem to have a stronger connection.

i think the tradition of the original 3 will live on, with a bit of spice thrown in from ARG and PI, more than the removal of anything that was in place. at least that's how i see it.

i do, however, think the 4th bled in tokyo or HK or wherever is an abomination. i don't think a 2-2 series result where the previous owner holds on should be in place. best of 3 every time, winner take all. if they want to play a rotation exhibition kind of game in some far off place to promote the game, sure, but having a potentially deciding game in a neutral stadium is ludicrous.

 

[Ruggo]

Will be great to see those additions. We would need a fincially viable base for the PI team. They will nedd alot of propping up but the rugby aspect is exciting.

 

[AIDAN]

AD, i agree that the rivalry aspect may be diluted a bit. i don't think it will be that strong, maybe PI and NZ? they seem to have a stronger connection.

i think the tradition of the original 3 will live on, with a bit of spice thrown in from ARG and PI, more than the removal of anything that was in place. at least that's how i see it.

i do, however, think the 4th bled in tokyo or HK or wherever is an abomination. i don't think a 2-2 series result where the previous owner holds on should be in place. best of 3 every time, winner take all. if they want to play a rotation exhibition kind of game in some far off place to promote the game, sure, but having a potentially deciding game in a neutral stadium is ludicrous.

yeah i have thought that for a while. it used to annoy me the 2 games because all NZ would have to do is win 1 game. when it was expanded i would have preferred 3 games rather than 4. as for the hong kong game i just cant see any merit to that. who sacrafices the home game this year?