Rugby

IRB: Pumas into Tri-Nations

2010-03-09 17:42

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Barcelona - Rugby's governing body will pay $2 million so Argentina can play in the Tri-Nations from 2012.

International Rugby Board chairman Bernard Lapasset says from a sports forum the one-off payment removes the final obstacle keeping the Pumas from joining the championship, which features New Zealand, Australia and South Africa.

The IRB council just has to confirm the deal at a meeting next month, Lapasset says.

Argentina finished third at the 2007 Rugby World Cup but has wanted regular matches against highly ranked opposition as it is geographically stranded on the international rugby map.

Your Comments

Ghwappie3/10/2010 3:59 PM: @Chad: Even if some teams only flew in one direction for their away games (which they don't), please consider this astounding fact - when they go back for their home games they fly in the OPPOSITE direction! Amazing, isn't it?

Nokka3/10/2010 12:38 PM: Great to hear. Now we need to get South Sea islands to play as well, or at least in S14. The current 5-5-4 team split per country can be changed back to 4-4-3+2+2 (for 2 Argentinian S15 sides and 2 Islander sides). That way all the Tongans, Fijians and Samoans who play for the Kiwi's will strengthen their own rugby cultures as it should've been before.

DUNCAN GOHL3/10/2010 12:37 PM: Tri - nations ?

Emile3/10/2010 10:45 AM: What is this rubbish about the Pumas given the opportunity to play against the best in the world? BULLSHIT - they are one of the best in the world!!!. Remember RWC? Who came third? Love the idea. Just hope they will be based in SA. That will make the playing field even. Those AUS/NZ can then for the first time travel as we have to every year. I can't see them hosting tests in Argintina as their TV broadcasts are very poor and the Super 14 is all about money from broadcasting rights. The Pumas will bring something different to the competition. Scrums will be back big time and I can already see those Aussies planning all their new tricks in the scrums. Gonna be great!!!!

360Deg3/10/2010 9:42 AM: To much rugby for the boks, more 2 or 3 test for the year, then the boys should not be playing the first half of the S14 soon to be S15 or S16 15 mini test and 14 test. The top players will burned out IRB killing the geese that lays the golden eggs. Season tickets will be less valuable too. what about the CC?

Rodders3/10/2010 8:54 AM: @ Bob & Andy: you're right, of course - we MAY finish bottom in a few tournaments' time, but then again we might not. And considering we currently hold the trophy (not to mention being holders of that other minor cup, the Webb-Ellis Trophy) I know I'm fairly confident that your predictions won't come true. Why don't you go and support England instead -- they really love their whining, pessimistic fans over there....

Jan Bom3/10/2010 8:10 AM: Argentina is producing the same type of rugby players as SA. It would be great if they can play more games against the top teams of the world with their regular squad to see how good they really are. Finishing 3rd in a world cup with most of your players playing in Europe says it all, they definately have what it takes to not be only part of the 3nations, but also win it I think.

Chris in Oz3/10/2010 2:19 AM: @Chad. Did you hear the news. The earth is round. To get to Aus or NZ from Argentina, they will probably fly in the opposite direction than when they fly to SA. Unless they stop in SA first and then travel on to Aus. I suppose they could make this one big travelling circus. Have all the teams in Aus/NZ and play the games over here. Then everyone hops on a plane to SA, finish the games there, before all four teams move on to Argentina....

war3/9/2010 10:10 PM: Chad you wombat they can fly straight to Auz maybe even to NZ. I cant wait it should be a blast..

war3/9/2010 9:55 PM: Chad you wombat they can fly straight to Auz maybe even to NZ. I cant wait it should be a blast..

Chad3/9/2010 9:12 PM: great news BUT we will still have SA at a distinct DISADVANTAGE, if not worse than it presently is....SA will now have to travel EAST and WEST, incredible strain through time zones in that competitions span of weeks, whereas NZ and AUS still travel only in one direction to play away!!

Bob3/9/2010 9:12 PM: We will see the Argies getting better & better every year! Sadly - SA may take 4th place regularly after about 5+ 4Nations tournaments ??????????????????????????????????????????????????

bulawayo-based-bok3/9/2010 8:49 PM: honestly.......i don't think their good enough, and i fink they will be the whipping boys of the comp! i like argentina but they just don't have the rugby structures or depth in the country and most of their best players are in their late 20s-mid 30's!!!! still good to see a change tho!

Henkie boy3/9/2010 7:58 PM: Brilliant news!! Should have happened years ago but for the myopic vision of 3Nations bosses. Next we should bring in a South Island 'Lions' style team, and then a global rugby calendar North vs South.

henk3/9/2010 7:34 PM: best thing ever!!!!

Louis3/9/2010 7:24 PM: Excellent! Travel to Argentina and see the Boks play there. Now that is a good idea.

Greg De Villiers3/9/2010 7:22 PM: Best news today! The only team to beat Arg in the last WC was us. No-one else came close and I am sure they woulda hammered the british as well. They really deserved to be with us in the final, coming second of course...

jacques3/9/2010 6:58 PM: This is great news!!Should have happened a long time ago already!!

H3/9/2010 6:41 PM: now the Aussies and Kiwi's will feel what is to really travel ... we need to get the Puma team hitting the road from the word go and not like the Italians taking years in the 6 Nations ... let them play in the Currie Cup for 2011.

Happy Happy3/9/2010 6:21 PM: I hope the meeting is just a formality, this is excellent news.

Great Stuff3/9/2010 6:16 PM: Great stuff for rugby!

Neil3/9/2010 6:14 PM: Like it !!!

Andy3/9/2010 6:10 PM: Just what we need, least this way we have hope of not getting the wooden spoon for a few years. Hope that they will be based here as well to ensure that the travelling time is equal for all teams now.

Alan3/9/2010 5:54 PM: This is WONDERFUL news. Now the travel will hit our dear Oz and Kiwi players big time. Leveling the playing field. Besides that, Argentina are good for rugby.

Viljoen3/9/2010 5:54 PM: Good news :)

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