Argentina invited to make 4 nations tournament in 2012

Posted by BP | Posted in Super 14, Tri-Nations | Posted on 15-09-2009

After a long debate about where/if Argentina should join one of the top 2 competitions in the world outside of the RWC, they have been invited to participate in a proposed 4 nations tournament along with the current SANZAR teams, SA, NZ and Aus from 2012, the year after the RWC in NZ.

There are conditions set for the Pumas though, and the main one being that their players are to play in the super rugby tournament before the start of the 4 nations. While this isn’t a bad idea, it will flood the SANZAR teams with foreign players, not too disimilar to the English, French and Italian teams at the moment. Something that SANZAR teams seem to pride themselves against such invasion of foreign players.

Given that most of the Puma players already play in the Northern Hemisphere, is it such a good idea to completely change that and get them to all pack up and move south bound and play for SANZAR teams? Would it not be better to make a 2-tiered 7 Nations tournament in the North, and rather introduce Fiji/Tonga/mixed islands team to join the SANZAR teams in a 4 nations tournament? I agree that rugby should be opened up to all teams, not just the Pumas, what are your thoughts/comments on this potential addition to world rugby?

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Comments (8)

Mozie said on 15/Sep/2009@1:13 pm

I presume their best players are playing in Europe. With the number of our southern hemisphere players leaving their shores to play in Europe, I don’t see how the Argentines are going to come here. Do you know what format is this four nations going to take anyway? With the extension of the S14 I don’t see the current format will work. I assume we are going to see them playing 2 games against each opponent. I agree with you mate, the 7 nations option seems to more sensible. I like the tri nations as it is, so I don’t necessarily agree with the inclusion of Fiji Samoa ect.

Vinny said on 15/Sep/2009@1:29 pm

I actually think its a good idea to get the Argentinian playing in a 4 nations tournament. I dont think the Argentinian players have gained from thier exploits in the european leagues. This move will bring thier play up a level and i think it will probably cement Southern Hemisphere dominance in the rugby world. As for gettting the Islands involved i dont think they would be as competetive as the Pumas and dont forget the profitincenntive of the move, introducing Argentina will definately have more commercial viability.

BP said on 15/Sep/2009@1:43 pm

i agree they’d be better than the islanders, but as they’re already so engrained in the european set up, would it not be easier/better if they expanded the northern tournament? how likely is it that they’d make/get game tiem in SA/NZ/Aus team?

juan martin hernandez is playing for the sharks, but will he start when the boks are back for the sharks?

Mozie said on 15/Sep/2009@2:22 pm

I saw him against the bulls this week. he had a good game. with ruan having a nightmare @ 10 for the boks, he should start. but yes I know teams like lions, reds and cheetahs struggle but I am not sure if there is space for others in the s14

Manny said on 15/Sep/2009@2:58 pm

I think the world of rugby has been too conservative in the past (e.g. awarding 2011 RWC to NZ instead of Japan) and the inclusion of Argentina will raise the bar of Argentinian rugby standards; so to me this is a good development.

Teams like the Lions, the Reds and the Highlanders will definitely benefit from having some Argentinians in their ranks because those teams have been struggling in the s14. Australia does not have enough players for four s14 teams and they will welcome some foreign talent.

Rugby needs something new and this may be it.

The format will see the teams playing each other twice (home and away) and I also like that idea because, for example, a test between NZ and Aus has been cheapened by having it played four times in one year; every single year! Each teams home fans gets to see the Haka once in the year and that’s it! It just adds to the value of the test.

Guru said on 15/Sep/2009@3:38 pm

I agree with Manny, the Argentines proved themselves in the WC 2007. This is long over due. EVen if it means we see less NZ vS SA clashes i do not mind. The Argentines can only add value.

BP said on 15/Sep/2009@4:18 pm

i think thats better to see teams only playing eachother fewer times, this nonscence that the ABs play aussie 4 times in one year is ridiculous man…it is definitely cheapening the games value, all over the board. imagine if the 6 nations turned round and said we’ll play eachother 3 teams each??? that’d be nuts!

The Ultimate All Black said on 15/Sep/2009@9:39 pm

It seems like a good idea for the pumas to be in the T3. As manny said they can filter in the next aus team n im sure the perinial losers, the reds,lions n cheetahs would love to have some of those players. Its going to interesting to see how its done.