Rugby
Pumas: $10m Tri-Nations boost
2010-03-29 15:44
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Dublin - Rugby union's governing body, the International Rugby Board (IRB), on Monday pledged $10m to help fund Argentina's entry into an expanded Tri Nations in 2012.
The package will see the IRB "substantially underwrite the Pumas entry into the Southern Hemisphere's showcase international rugby competition with an unprecedented investment of $2.5m per year over the period 2012-2015 subject to SANZAR conditions being met".
The IRB's contribution is in addition to the multi-million dollar investment being made by SANZAR to facilitate the inclusion of Argentina in the Tri Nations, currently comprised of Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
SANZAR conditions, set in September when the decision to admit Argentina was taken, guarantee that Argentina's best players, many of whom play for top clubs in Europe, will be available for the competition, protecting the Tri Nations as the elite competition for the Southern Hemisphere's best players.
"This announcement represents another significant milestone in the process of Argentina's integration into the Tri Nations and is an extremely exciting development for the Argentina Rugby Union and rugby fans around the world," said IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset.
"The IRB recognises the substantial strategic financial and operational commitment that the SANZAR Unions are making to assist Argentina's inclusion and we will continue to work in close collaboration with all stakeholders to ensure a sustainable financial platform to make Argentina's transition as smooth as possible.
"It is now essential that all elements are delivered, including the participation of Argentina's top players. I would like to express my thanks to SANZAR for its continued commitment to the process," added Lapasset.
In September Argentina were conditionally invited to join the Tri-Nations tournament from 2012.
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