Should the Los Pumas enter the TN?

[Jackal Dog]

Would anyone else like to see Argentina enter the Tri Nations?

For years the Los Pumas have been crying out for regular competition they have had to rely solely on tests to keep their national team competitive, infact I beleive they are the only team in the top 9 world rankings that don't compete in a regular tournament.

The Los Pumas are in a situation similar to the Kiwi's in RL most of their best players are held to ransom by rich clubs. This year when they drew with the Lions in Cardiff they were without a staggering 25 first choice players!!! they need a regular tournament to convince local players to stay instead of pursuing rich European contracts. In the last 2 year the Los Pumas have beaten Wales, France and come close to beating South Africa.

Travel has been the main argument to their inclusion with countries not wanting to travel so far but they have become so desperate that they have volunteered to play all their games away.

If they can get their best side on the park they are more than capable of an upset.

I believe this would of been a much better decision too include them than extend the tournament to include two extra games for each country which is just overkill and imo could devaule the Tournament.

 

[bayrep]

I agree totaly. As for the travel it would actually even out the comp. As SA have always had the short end of the stick when it came to travel spending 3-4 weeks on the road during the S12 and 2 weeks on the road in the 3N's. It would mean that Aus and NZ would be on the road at least 2 weeks every year to even out the travel with SA.

I could see the Pumas at home beating a few teams and they can only improve. I feel for the Pumas. SANZA give them a chance!

 

[ThrashViking]

Yes, yes, yes and yes!Including the Pumas & the Islanders 15 will boost southern hemisphere rugby especially in Argentina.
Will it happen? No.
Expect the Pumas to be included in a expanded 6 nations some time soon, SANZA havent helped them out at all.

 

[Jackal Dog]

Oh yeah I forgot about the Islanders as well they would be a pretty good inclusion too.

But why the hell are SANZAR so bloody selfish? one thing they have always been critcised about is their lack of lending a helping had to Southern Hemisphere rubgy in general, granted their main interests are in AUS, NZ and SA but it as if they don't want other countries to even have a chance.....

 

[bayrep]

Yes, yes, yes and yes!Including the Pumas & the Islanders 15 will boost southern hemisphere rugby especially in Argentina.
Will it happen? No.
Expect the Pumas to be included in a expanded 6 nations some time soon, SANZA havent helped them out at all.

I cant understand why SANZA hasnt helped out ??? bigger market, more marketing potiential, more varity to spice up comp. What are they going to lose ?

 

[bayrep]

Oh yeah I forgot about the Islanders as well they would be a pretty good inclusion too.

But why the hell are SANZAR so bloody selfish? one thing they have always been critcised about is their lack of lending a helping had to Southern Hemisphere rubgy in general, granted their main interests are in AUS, NZ and SA but it as if they don't want other countries to even have a chance.....

Not so keen on the Island nations joining the 3N's they would just be cannon fodder. I would rather see them in the S14 comp.

 

[ThrashViking]

Apart from those Bi-Annual Colts tournaments with SA, NZ, Aus and Los Pumas they've ignored them like a bad smell, it's bizare.

 

[ThrashViking]

Not so keen on the Island nations joining the 3N's they would just be cannon fodder. I would rather see them in the S14 comp.

Meh..Give aspring young Islanders some inspiration to pull on a Pacific 15 jumper, at the moment most Island players who come to NZ or Aussie to play pro rugby (or even France..) would rather aspire to pulling on a Black or Gold jumper.

 

[Jackal Dog]

Putting them in Super 14? man they would really carve up, I remember they played against the Tahs last year (minus the Wallaby players of course) but they put about 50 on them I think they would be too Uber for Super 14.

But I'm not sure whether Tonga/Fiji/Samoa have a decent stadiumsthat could host big tests....

 

[CanadianSteve]

I read recently that Argentine has asked to play in the 6 Nations, volunteering to play all their games in the NH. Maybe that would make more sense because their best players play club rugby in GB or France, so they would be more available for 6N play.

 

[bazza]

I think SANZA is too busy proping up rugby union in Australia and South Africa to subsidise it in other countries

 

[SpaceMonkey]

I'd love to see Los Pumas in a 4N comp, instead of next years boring as batsh*t format of 9 games between 3 sides you could have 4 sides playing each other twice. Would be better for the fans and provide a few more games worth of revenue but with the same number of matches per team as now. A combined pacific islands team would also be great but probably not as commercially viable.

 

[lockyno1]

Absoultely not! There is already one team that cheats all day long (SOUTH AFRICA)! Why on earth would we want 2!

 

[bayrep]

lol - Feeling a little bitter Lockyno1

 

[aussies1st]

May as well make it a 5 nations if we bring them in. Get the Pacific Island team too.

 

[lockyno1]

lol - Feeling a little bitter Lockyno1

No not at all actually! I really hate South Africa so the Kiwis can have the tri-nations. The more we lose the more chance Gregan will go

 

[bayrep]

You guys do seem to have that love hate relationship going with the SA's at the moment. Jones and White cant get enough of bagging each other off.

 

[weasel]

Japan anyone? Similar timezone to Australia and New Zealand and I think a shorter trip than the one to South Africa. Would be greater cannon fodder than Argentina, but you have to start somewhere. Japan, Argentina and the pacific islands are the countries that need to be included in more competitive fixtures.

 

[aussies1st]

We may as well help out our fellow Southern Hempishere teams. If everyteam in the SH can beat the 6 Nations sides we know we have done our jobs.

 

[Jackal Dog]

Japan will most likely host the 2011 RWC which I think will be a tremendous boost for rugby there imho.