Rugby: Argentina invited to join Tri-Nations

Argentina’s best players must be available for them to compete in a Sanzar competition from 2012. Photo / Getty Images

DUBLIN - World rugby's governing body today hailed the invitation extended to Argentina to join an expanded Tri-Nations series from 2012 as a "significant milestone" in the development of the sport.

The International Rugby Board (IRB) has worked hard to find a way of providing Argentina with regular competition outside of World Cup years and its chairman, Bernard Lapasset, voiced his delight that a solution has now been found, albeit one that is subject to a number of conditions.

"Today's announcement is extremely exciting for the Union Argentina de Rugby (UAR) and rugby fans around the world," Lapasset said. "It is a significant milestone."

Agustin Pichot, who captained the Pumas to third place at the 2007 World Cup, said regular matches against South Africa, New Zealand and Australia would be a shot in the arm for rugby in Argentina.

"I can't express the joy of what this means for me and the whole team at the UAR who have been working on this important project," he said.

"We are delighted to now get the chance to become a great Rugby nation with the chance to play top level international Rugby on an annual basis.

"This exciting development will be vital to growing the game across Argentina and South America."

Sanzar chief executive and South Africa Rugby acting managing director Andy Marinos said the invitation was conditional on Argentina securing their best players to play in the Four Nations.

" To assist with this, the national unions of Australia, New Zealand and South Africa are very keen to actively work with Argentina to place their best players across Super Rugby teams in the three countries."

Marinos said the Pumas would be an exciting addition to a southern hemisphere championship.

"To have the Pumas, currently ranked sixth in the world, join with the three top ranked international teams in world rugby will be exciting for fans, players, sponsors and broadcasters across our four countries and beyond.

"They play a different style to the All Blacks, Springboks and Wallabies and their inclusion will see the Tri Nations evolve to be a truly southern hemisphere championship."

The Four Nations will be played from mid-August (following the end of the new Super rugby competition) for an eight or nine week period through until early to mid-October.

In a World Cup year, an abbreviated format will be played through July and August.

Marinos said SANZAR would be meeting representatives of the UAR and the IRB to work towards confirming the Four Nations championship.

Sanzar was in the process of renegotiating its broadcasting contracts "and, whilst we have kept our broadcasters fully informed about the discussions with Argentina, we now need to confirm their view on the plan to include Argentina from 2012", he added.

- AFP, NZPA