In September 2009, Argentina were invited to join the Tri-Nations by SANZAR if certain ‘conditions’ were met.
There have been a couple of stumbling blocks to adding the Pumas to this competition, the main ones being the division of broadcast revenue (currently shared between NZ, Australia and South Africa), the cost in staging a tournament over essentially three continents and the lack of a professional structure in Argentina.
In an encouraging sign, the IRB have agreed to substantially underwrite the Pumas entry into the Tri-Nations with an unprecedented investment of US$2.5 million per year over the period 2012-2015 subject to the remaining SANZAR conditions being met.
SANZAR conditions included a guarantee that Argentina’s best players will be available for the competition, protecting the Tri-Nations as the elite competition for the southern hemisphere’s best players.
Domestic rugby in Argentina is still amateur and doesn’t allow for a professional league. Because of this, a large majority of the Pumas play for European club teams which would likely create conflicts regarding the availability of players in the proposed tournament window.
The expanded Four Nations would be played between August and October after the Super15 and incoming short tours and this is when the Northern Hemisphere season starts.
In order to achieve this key condition, the UAR and the SANZAR Unions formally requested the IRB to amend Regulation 9, which governs international player availability. The IRB Council will now consider amending the scope of the Regulation at its May 12 meeting.
What will the Argentinians bring to this tournament, apart from a bit of Latino flair? First up, won’t it be refreshing to play a team other than NZ or South Africa?
This competition is becoming about as boring as Tony Abbott’s budgie smugglers. Playing the All Blacks three, four or…. is it ten times a year…. is patently ridiculous. Yawn, are we there yet?
Familiarity breeds contempt. I’m not the only one who thinks this. The crowds are voting with their feet and dwindling fast, especially against South African opposition (the All Black games are boosted by the high concentration of cuzzy bro’s/pakehas living here and out on bail).
How the hell can you remember who won what? The Six Nations have got it right. One game against each team (15 in total) in a much anticipated competition.
Who won the Six Nations in 2008? Yes, you’re right – Wales in a Grand Slam. Who won the Tri-Nations in 2008? F*cked if I know and I’m not sure I care anymore……..
The Four Nations will be a home and away series and two tests each is probably the right balance?
The Argies are one tough proposition especially in Beunos Aires. Their home crowd is absolutely feral and provides Los Pumas with a good 10 point start. It’s a bull ring at Rio de la Plata or Vélez Sársfield Stadium.
Remembering, they came third in the last Rugby World Cup and deserve respect. They’ll provide strong opposition: all their players are hardened in the French Top 14, Guinness Premiership or Magners League.
With guys like Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe, Marcus Ayerza, Mario Ledesma, Rodrigo Roncero, Juan Martin Hernandez and Francisco Leonelli they offer a different style of play for the Wallabies to contend with.
Spearheaded by tough nut forwards and an emphasis on tactical kicking (perhaps the legacy of Hugo Porta), these guys will provide stiff competition.
It may not always be attractive rugby and I think that’s probably the only downside. Although, if it takes a while for them to become competitive I’m not sure there’ll be sold out stadia.
Mind you, they’re starting from a much higher base than the Italians did in the Six Nations. I think it’s a great idea and the sooner they can work out and rectify the ‘conditions’, roll on 2012.
Wouldn’t a tour by them leading up to the Four Nations be terrific, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves and think outside the square.
Importantly, it will provide the opportunity for the Argies to showcase their national anthem which is, without doubt, la creme de la creme of anthems. It’s inspiring theme puts the turgid, somnamulent ‘girt by sea‘ into perspective (and conveniently has no words in the shortened version).
The IRB funding is actually provided to cover the assessed SANZAR shortfall due to the high cost of running this tournament with Argentina in it. The SANZAR nations are also bearing some of the costs.
The IRB annually invests close to US$2 million in the UAR’s domestic High Performance and development structures. This pays for the new national High Performance Academy, the Argentina Jaguars rep team and the national U20s and Sevens programs.
Surely this announcement will positively impact on the SANZAR/News Limited broadcast deal and support the demand for more ‘test match quality’ content.
