Tri-Nations Rugby

[PeteC]

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/sports/ ... ons-sanzar

News » Sports
Argentina closer to joining Tri-Nations: SANZAR

* Published: 13/05/2010 at 09:51 AM
* Online news: Sports

Argentina has taken a major step towards joining an expanded Tri-Nations rugby competition in 2012 after the IRB changed player availability rules, rugby officials said Thursday.

The current Tri-Nations participants -- New Zealand, Australia and South Africa -- said the final step will be negotiating a participation agreement with Argentina.

The three nations, who organise the Tri-Nations and Super 14 competitions through their SANZAR joint venture, said Argentina would add a dynamic new element to what will become the Four Nations series.

"This is an exciting step for SANZAR and for world rugby, as it confirms Argentina?s participation in a top-flight rugby competition," said SANZAR and New Zealand Rugby Union chief executive, Steve Tew.

"We now need to finalise a participation agreement with (the Argentinian union) so we can move to full planning for the introduction of Argentina in 2012," he said.

Under the IRB availability rule change, clubs will have to release players for the competition to be played from late August to early October each year.

SANZAR also said it will try to provide more opportunities for Argentinian players to play in the Super rugby competition in the lead up to the Four Nations series.

[pharvey]

They had a wonderful world cup in 2007 and are fully deserving of their chance - unfortunately, they've lost a few key players in recent years and they are going downhill in my opinion (despite current IRB ranking).

To truly compete at the highest level for a sustained period bringing new players through, they are going to need to develop a professional league structure and competition in Argentina - this is going to be extremely difficult in my book. Rugby is down the list of popular sports, and financial support not the best.

I'm sure there'll also be some heated discussions with the Premiership Clubs in the UK where several of the top Argentine players ply their trade - this issue will have a huge effect on whether "Los Pumas" can become a force in the 4 Nations.