I’m not so sure. I think there will be a lot of discussion behind the scenes over the coming months. There is definitely high level support for Argentina’s inclusion in a Southern Hemisphere four nations. Look at, for example, Australian Rugby’s John O’Neill who stated in September that Los Pumas should play in expanded Tri-Nations. See (if you haven’t already)
Pumas deserve spot in Tri Nations: O'Neill - rugbyheaven07.com.au
I found Peter Bills’ article on his blog dated October 17, very interesting indeed. I don’t know who he’s speaking to but he sounds pretty certain that something is cooking behind the scenes writing: “Argentina could be playing in an expanded Tri Nations rugby tournament from as early as next year, it emerged in Paris this week”. Check out his blog at
Argentina Tri-Nations chance ? - Peter Bills - Independent.ie Blogs
I think you’re right. Money is a major issue here. Money, that is, for the broadcasters. Bills says on his blog: “It has now become clear that TV bosses in the southern hemisphere are far from satisfied with the current format and are most reluctant to see a return to the arrangement whereby the three competing nations play each other three times in a season by rotation”. He goes on to say:”The current SANZAR TV deal is due to run until 2010 but clearly, television does not want to wait that long to change the format”. This contradicts John O’Neill’s view that the TV deal cannot be re-negotiated. The fact is that numerous journalists have reported that the TV channels did not mince words about their unhappiness when they met to discuss the issue with SANZAR. With the exciting rugby that Los Pumas are playing it makes sense for the TV channels to agree to a new deal!
I wouldn’t be surprised though to see the Northern Hemisphere beat SANZAR to the punch and invite you into the Six-Nation tournament. From a logistical point of view it makes sense given the club commitments of your players. I would be sad if this happened though as a golden opportunity will have been lost but it will obviously be up to your rugby bosses and players to decide.
To be honest, I want to see the game grow all over the world. You mentioned in your other post that politicians in Argentina still see rugby as elitist. In South Africa the game is still regarded by politicians as not representative of the composition of our society. I believe the answer lies in the development of talent from all corners of our nation. In our case we need to plough money into the building of rugby fields in townships and rugby academies across the country so that anybody regardless of colour, creed or background can play the game and come to love it! The talent is there, we must help it to rise to the top.
Just to share a recent experience in closing. My brother in-law’s kids wanted to play some touch rugby and kick at posts the other day, so we went in search of the old municipal rugby fields where I’d played as a youth. I was saddened to discover that the fields had disappeared, replaced by a baseball pitch and a few soccer fields. If local government doesn’t even invest in facilities in towns and villages how we are we going to develop the sport? Perhaps it needs a combined effort from the private sector and government to develop rugby in South Africa. There are kids across our country waiting to be introduced to the pure joy and excitement of picking up that oval ball and running with it!
Expand the Tri-Nations to include Argentina
Expand the Tri-Nations to include Argentina
Thanks dear Giza you are a nice person, but those dreams are not possible
