Rugby: Sanzar looks set to tango

A Four Nations tournament including Argentina could be running in 2011. Photo / Getty Images

The inclusion of Argentina in a Four Nations competition depends more on their potential broadcast value than their ability to sort out their domestic situation.

In what was a momentous decision, Sanzar announced last week they had invited the Pumas to join the Tri Nations in 2011 - if the Argentinians meet certain conditions.

Top of the list is their ability to secure their best players for the competition that will be played from mid-August through to early October.

That has always been the biggest stumbling block as the bulk of the Pumas first-choice line-up are contracted to French clubs who will be in the midst of their season during the proposed Four Nations.

But Argentina, through the endless campaigning and negotiating of former Pumas captain Agustin Pichot, have brokered deals with the leading French clubs.

As the bulk of the Pumas squad is clustered at four French clubs, agreements have been reached that will see Argentinian players released in return for cash payments.

Player release is a notoriously fraught business as, even when deals have supposedly been struck, some clubs have a habit of reneging.

However, in this case, it is believed the French clubs can see the value as firstly, they will be compensated and secondly, any Argentinian players they contract will be available in February and March when the French internationals will be involved in the Six Nations.

Really, then, for the Pumas to gain entry, it boils down to whether their inclusion is attractive to broadcasters. New Zealand Rugby Union chief executive Steve Tew says that is a critical part of the jigsaw.

"We think Argentina have done an enormous amount of hard work and made some real progress. Enough, certainly, that we felt convinced we could make an invitation.

"There is a lot of criticism of the Tri Nations but we still think it's a high quality competition; that the standard of rugby is world class; that it remains hugely well supported; and that interest levels are very high. We do, though, think we could improve that with the inclusion of a fourth team.

"Argentina will bring a new dimension. It will be a new place to travel for the players, a new side to learn to play against and they will add a lot of interest. But we need to see how the proposition stacks up financially with the broadcast deal and then make a decision."

The Sanzar nations believe there is long-term value in adding the Pumas. If they don't, they think the current format could be stale if it runs for another five years as is.

There is also a sense of collective responsibility to do something to fix what has become an embarrassing problem for world rugby; that Argentina are one of the best sides in the world yet don't have regular fixtures against sides of similar ability.

Tew said that desire to help the Pumas was a big driver in making the invitation and that really, after months and months of talking, the Sanzar executives agreed late last week that they had to be brave, had to take a risk and put a date on the table by which the Pumas would come on board.

By giving them a fixed point of time, Argentina have a real target to aim for - which should make it easier to build the game and the relevant infrastructure such as stadia and training facilities they will need to be included.

It is expected now that Sanzar's broadcast partner, News Corporation, will make two offers - one for a Tri Nations format as is and one for the proposed Four Nations.