Sponsored Links:
Getty Images
Southern Hemisphere rugby officials Tuesday unveiled an expanded Tri-Nations contest including Argentina, describing it as a top-level "best of the best" clash involving the world's premier teams.
Southern Hemisphere rugby officials Tuesday unveiled an expanded Tri-Nations contest including Argentina, describing it as a top-level “best of the best” clash involving the world's premier teams.
Sanzar, the body operating South Africa, Australia and New Zealand's rugby contests, said Argentina's Los Pumas would join a new four-nations tie called “The Rugby Championship,” kicking off next August.
Sanzar chief Greg Peters said the tournament, which updates the 15-year-old Tri-Nations series, would be the “ultimate contest”, bringing together the world's first, second, fourth and seventh-ranked teams.
“The Rugby Championship is an annual contest between the 'best-of-the-best' in world rugby -- nations who have won six of the seven Rugby World Cups,” Peters said.
“The invitation to Argentina to join the Championship is a defining moment for Southern Hemisphere rugby and significant for world rugby,' he added.
Previous semifinalists, Los Pumas had a solid World Cup which saw them knocked out at the quarterfinal stage by the All Blacks, who went on to win, and Peters said their regular inclusion at elite level was “long overdue”.
“The Pumas, as they showed at the recent Rugby World Cup, play an exciting and different brand of rugby to the other three teams, which will definitely add a new dimension,” he said.
Argentine rugby officials said it was a historic moment for the sport in their nation and expressed great pride for the opportunity.
“For years Argentinean Rugby has been seeking to participate regularly in a tournament like this,” said Union Argentina de Rugby high performance chairman Manuel Galindo.
“Playing in The Rugby Championship makes us really proud and will compel us to work harder at what we are doing. We must celebrate being part of this tournament,” he added.
South African Rugby Union chief Jurie Roux said it marked the “launching pad to a dramatically changed landscape” for southern hemisphere rugby.
New Zealand Rugby Union's Steve Tew added: “Argentina fully deserves to be part of the best annual rugby competition in the world, and their presence in the Championship... (will) help the global expansion of the game.”
The 12-match Championship schedule kicks off on August 18 2012 and will feature games across all four countries, with Australia taking on New Zealand for the first fixture in Sydney. – AFP
|
|
JR, wrote
This is not good for South Africa's provincial and club rugby as there are already too many international commintments that are taking the top players away from club teams as we saw this year with the worldcup. Club teams like the Sharks, WP and the Bulls are having to submit B teams to provincial competitions like the Currie Cup because their top players are away most of the year. This is costing Clubs much needed revenue as fewer people turn out to watch when the big stars are not playing.
Anonymous, wrote
It's an honour for us Argentines to be part of the new expanded Tri Nations, and to host the world's best here in Buenos Aires: the Springboks, the All Blacks and the Wallabies!! Hopefully it will serve to promote the sport both in our region and around the world. See you next August!!
Pumas, wrote
It will be wonderful to have to SA, AUS and NZ in Buenos Aires. THE ARGENTINE WE ARE THE WORLD PUBLIC EARNEST!!
emgee canada, wrote
This is a good step forward but may I suggest a fifth team of a combined Pacific Islanders and change the competition name to The Southern Five Nations.
Tim, wrote
Larry we are talking test rugby not provincial. Also think they could have deciced on a better name like The Southern Hemisphere Championship or The Southern Hemisphere Quarrangular Championship
Joe Cynic, wrote
This is good news for Argentina. However, I think that most of their players are under long-term contract to French club sides, so it is anyone's guess how strong the Pumas will be over the 1st two or so years.
Excalibur, wrote
Andy, wrote
Calm down, Larry. This is not a replacement for Super-Rugby. It's a replacement for the Tri-Nations - and it would be pretty stupid to keep calling it the Tri-Nations now that there are 4 teams!
Ted E. Bear, wrote
** Hugh Bladen voice ** UNBELIEVABLE !!!!! and while im at it might as well throw in a JEAN DE VILLIERS as well...
GF, wrote
Its the Southern Rugby Championship not THE rugby Championship. The contest that pitches the best in the world is the Rugby World Cup.
Star, wrote
Good Move, this can only benifit Argentina and the southern hemisphere rugby for the future
larry, wrote
What uninformed marketing company managed to convince these idiots that its a good idea to drop the Super Rugby brand........gotta wonder !!!
Sgonondo, wrote
Anonymous, wrote
First they ruined the Super 15. Then they managed to come up with this name. "The Rugby Championship"? Really? Its an exciting development to have Argentina involved in the competition but that name sounds like a 2nd rate Playstation title... I actually hope its not to long before we get the Pacific Islanders involved as well.
Showing items 1 - 14 of 14
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Services
Buying a car has never been easy. Motoring.co.za contains a large database of car listings with a user friendly search.
Start searching today »
Business Directory
We like to make your life easier
Mobile
Browse IOL on your phone at m.iol.co.za.
Newsletters
Subscribe to our newsletters. News delivered to your inbox!
Comment Guidelines