Argentina will be joining the Tri Nations competition from next year, but that will only be the start for this rugby team, as they eye a move into the Super Rugby competition.
SANZAR CEO Greg Peters told superxv.com that the progress of the Argentina rugby setup is looking good, and he will not be surprised if the current Super Rugby franchises start involving Argentinians in their squads.
The entire setup in Argentina is still very amateur, with all the administrators working a couple days a month on their rugby duties and then flying back to their homes and normal businesses, this all at their own expense.
Current Argentinian champion side Tucuman will be one of the Lions’ warm up games ahead of the start of the Super Rugby tournament.
The addition of players to teams sure ok, additional teams to the already hectic comp… NO!
I have a idea! Why not begin a second super rugby tournament. Bring in the clubs from Japan, Tonga, Fiji and Argentina. You could even put the Spears in that group.
@Tommy Chilcott (Comment 2) : who will watch that?
@Rahul (Comment 3) :mmmm not sure, You have a point.
Unfortunately its all about the money. Noone will support a ‘B’ league financially, making the weak weaker.
I am all for getting the Argentinians involved in the Tri Nations. It will eventually get them up there with the best!
@Tommy Chilcott (Comment 2) : Never gonna work. Point a the money as already mentioned and point b is they want to expose their players to the best players in the world so they can play against them and learn from them.
I am on my phone so can’t search the SW history.
The article where we announce the Argentinian inclusion from 2012 makes mention of the Argentinian players having to be involved in Super Rugby or something along those lines as a condition of their joining the 3Ns
I said this a few days ago, we can expect an influx of Argentinians from Europe and Argentina.
Someone please post the extract from that article?
@KSA Shark © (Comment 8) : I remember I asked if argentina is playing in the tn next year
@KSA Shark © (Comment 8) :
http://www.sharksworld.co.za/2009/09/15/argies-to-join-3n/
@KSA Shark © (Comment 8) :
SANZAR (South Africa, New Zealand and Australian Rugby) stressed that conditions are attached to the invitation for the Unión Argentina de Rugby (UAR) to join the Four Nations in 2012.
They are focused around:
* Argentina securing the participation of their best players to play in the Four Nations. To assist with this the National Unions of Australia, New Zealand and South Africa are very keen to actively work with Argentina to place their best players across Super Rugby teams in the three countries;
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 10) : Thanks Rich.
So one of the conditions is that their top players play 3Ns. I can’t see the Frogs and Poms releasing them for the 4Ns so on that basis we can expect an influx into SANZAR comps and don’t be surprised to see more of them in the CC.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 12) :
Isnt this Tri Nations/Four Nations going to be around the same time as their off season? The Poms take a break around July/August not so?
How long is the flight from Auckland to Beunos Aires?
On this note… would be nice to have Juan Hernandez in the squad. He can play 10/12. And is quite a ddecent player IMO.
@Richard – the Poms are always taking a break….
@SharksRTB (Comment 15) : oh please no! Not again!
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 13) : That is THIS 3Ns though, usually the Boks have problems getting players from up north released and the Argentinians will need to ensure that they don’t have the same problem.
I think the only way around that problem will be for them to play here.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 18) : I put the recent improvement of the Argentinians down to some of their players playing in a league superior to their own.
Imagine the improvement if they start playing down here in the Super Rugby competition.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 19) : They would have to take pay cuts and I’m not sure its gonna happen.
@robdylan (Comment 17) : You dont rate him? I think he’s decent…. Lets say we “HAVE” to have an Argi in the team, I will definately have him than any other.
@SharksRTB (Comment 21) :
He is worse than Andre Pretorius when it comes to injuries..
@SharksRTB (Comment 21) : Didn`t JMH kill the bulls for us back in 08 when we won the CC?
@Original Champion (Comment 23) : I also think he had some good performances in a Sharks jersey. And cmon, the guy is not afraid to tackle.
@Original Champion (Comment 23) : I think you’re thinking of fred michalak.
@Ben (Comment 25) : Think I had the wrong year, was 09. I remember a huge celebration at my house LOL
Just one question..guys like hernandez n steyn..even pienaar..they didn’t play to their potential here..but for the overseas teams they giving their all..why…
@Original Champion (Comment 26) : But in 2009 we didn’t win the currie cup. Michalak was playing when we won the currie cup
@shaniboi (Comment 27) : lower standard of competition makes them look better