truebluefan

Should Argentina be included in the Six Nations?

Elisalex

I would like to quote what Agustin Pichot stated to the press after winning for a second time to France, having masterminded Argentina's stunning run here, Pichot knows it is time to bow out at the top. "I'm not a very talented footballer and in the last four or eight years I've given everything and especially for the last three and a half months I gave everything and a little bit more," he said. "I couldn't achieve any more than this. I would prefer to end my career like this for a lot of reasons." I could carry on but it wouldn't be right for my history. I will probably play one more time in Argentina to say goodbye but this is for sure the last time I play in Europe." Pichot also paid tribute to this golden generation of Argentine rugby players, whose achievements may never be surpassed - and that despite continually being shunned by both the Six Nations and Tri-Nations competitions, depriving them of regular top level competition. "It's the end of a great period and a great time in Argentine rugby. This has been the end of one of the best sporting stories. It's a great group, a special group and everyone will always remember the 2007 Argentina rugby team." Pichot also paid tribute to the special spirit in the camp. The Argentine players have impressed everyone with their solidarity and togetherness and this match was no different. "This match was a psychological thing. I spoke with the players before the match and said that it's like a boxing match. In the last three or four rounds when you are tired physically and your arms and legs don't respond but you have to reach into your heart," he said. "Our team was very tired like France after a hard World Cup but Argentina searched deep inside and waited for the right moments to change the game.”That's the rugby I like a lot. We're not the All Blacks but we can certainly play good rugby." Coach Marcelo Loffreda took charge of his final Pumas game against France and will now head to England to take over Leicester Tigers. But he was proud of his team's exploits here. "We're very proud with regards the performance in the match and everything the team did," he said. "In the end we showed that without a doubt we are the third best team in the world and we can state that with complete authority." The Pumas are the only team in the whole world that they had found the lost spirit of rugby as Mick Cleary of the Daily Telegraph wrote in that London paper, They had played not only with a great strategy, but with all their hearts and soul, they were knights of ancient times, were they went to war for God and country, they played in France for the cause of those who were formed under rugby amateur rules, which are still in practice in Argentina. Perhaps technically the Springboks are much better, but it is undisputed that our Pumas played the most beautiful rugby during the World cup. I saw them in Paris crying after loosing with the Boks, but in just four days their high spirit and moral help them to react and smashed France to win the third place, which was so far much more important than the English second place, because they played beyond all the preconceptions of Europeans, New Zealanders, Aussies, South Africans and others. I remember quite well the irresponsible statements of Australia and France’s coaches, both said that Pumas play not real rugby. Now as most of the commentators are saying they deserve to play in the great leagues, in my opinion they should play in Europe, I share what Marcelo Loffreda said yesterday to The Times. Felipe Contempomi prefers the Tri Nation cup, I don’t agree, we are much more comfortable in Europe, our roots are there, we learned rugby from Scots and Irish 150 years ago. Again for all what I said the Pumas were the best team of the Cup.

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Elisabeth Sophia Alexandra Elisalex a great fan of our Argentine Pumas

Melon

Whilst the overwhelming majority of Argentina's top 30 players play professionaly in Europe, they should not be placed in to an expanded 6 nations.

(Now put aside all issues of financing Argetina's proposed [and much needed] ventures).

The only place for Argentina is in an expanded Tri-Nations. The Tri-Nations are in need of an overhaul and this will only happen with Argentina thrown in to the mix. This will not be possible until 2010 (three series from now) due to contracting right to News Limited, but when this time is up, the idea should be made a reality.

If Argentina were to be placed in a competition with the current 6 Nations teams, then it would provide minimal growth as a result of the competition, whereas if the Pumas were placed with the "super 3", it would give the Pumas a bench mark to ascend, albeit a lengthy ascent. This would be in the best interests of the team. Los Pumas need the strongest competition possible. Look at their potential.

I could keep going on about this, but its too late Need sleep.

Elisalex

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Elisabeth Sophia Alexandra Elisalex a great fan of our Argentine Pumas

Melon

Don't be mistaken, the Kiwis, Aussies and Saffas all want Los Pumas in an expanded Tri-Nations. The only problem is that its not possible until 2010.

The reason there aren't any Argentinians playing rugby in Australia or NZ or SA in the hope of playing internationally is because if you play for any of these nations professionaly, then you are automatically barred from representing your own country and must be eligable for the country you are playing in, and if you don't want to play for that country then tough luck.

I certainly appreciate your point of view. Los Pumas being placed into the NH competition would definitely be more culturally beneficial and may even start in 2009.