ARGENTINA, one of world rugby’s rising powers, are on the verge of being admitted into the TriNations, the southern hemisphere’s premier tournament, bringing an end to decades of exclusion in which the Pumas suffered from lack of meaningful competition.

The move for Argentina to become a TriNations member, playing home and away fixtures against New Zealand, South Africa and Australia, is part of an initiative to improve standards and opportunities among the so-called lesser nations, with a view to challenging the big unions and producing more potential shock results in World Cups.

The International Rugby Board (IRB) is brokering Argentina’s entry into the TriNations with Sanzar — South Africa, New Zealand and Australia Rugby, who run the TriNations and Super 14 — in the belief that it is the right home for a southern hemisphere nation. Mike Miller, the IRB’s chief executive, said he hoped Argentina’s admission would be achieved as soon as possible, even though a Sanzar broadcasting deal has four years left to run.

“It is a complicated issue,” says Miller, “but there’s nothing to stop it happening next year if everyone wants it to. The TriNations are all agreed that we need to do something about Argentina and the IRB has made it clear that we will look at any scheme that helps to ensure that they are properly integrated into international rugby.”

Having taken the Pumas to sixth in the IRB rankings, including victory over England at Twickenham last autumn, Argentina’s leading players have been pressing for inclusion in the RBS Six Nations, especially as most of them are contracted to clubs in France and England. However, logistical problems, not least the distance between Buenos Aires and European venues and fixture congestion in northern hemisphere rugby, has convinced the Six Nations that the admission of the Pumas is untenable.

Argentina’s incorporation into Sanzar has been given added impetus by dissatisfaction among southern hemisphere fans and players with the TriNations format, recently expanded to add an extra match between the three countries. Former All Black scrum-half Justin Marshall accused Sanzar of overkill last season and there is plenty of evidence that Argentina can pump new life into the tournament.

Players such as full-back Juan-Martin Hernandez, prop Marcos Ayerza, scrum-half Agustin Pichot and flanker Juan Fernan-dez Lobbe are regarded as among the best in their positions in the world, and the growing depth of the Pumas was shown recently when a young touring side beat Northampton and Leicester.

Gary Flowers, the Australian Rugby Union chief executive as well as secretary of Sanzar, admits Argentina’s inclusion is possible. “All of us have a duty to make sure that our product is out there and fresh,” he said after an Argentine government approach at the end of last year.

South Africa’s dislike of the existing Sanzar schedule is another factor in Argentina’s favour. The Springboks have long considered it to be lopsided, requiring them to tour for a month every season, whereas their Australian and New Zealand opponents fly in and out of South Africa in a week. Having Argentina on the schedule would even up the tour commitments.

Springbok coach Jake White is strongly in favour. “If we are honest about making it a global game, we must try to accommodate Argentina,” he says. “They have shown they are competitive in every way, against us, New Zealand, England and the Lions. The TriNations does need something fresh.”

However, a Sanzar proposal that Argentina take up residence in South Africa during the tournament, to cut down on travel, smacks of the existing TriNations unions trying to have their cake and eat it. Flight times between Auckland and Buenos Aires of just over 14 hours compare favourably with 14 hours between Sydney and Johannes-burg, while Buenos Aires is a seven-hour flight from Cape Town.

The other main issue is how Argentina’s involvement will affect the division of broadcast revenue, which is currently split equally. The IRB does not see this as insurmountable, according to Miller, who says funding is in place to “prime the pump” for professional rugby in Argentina, including a £5m grant from its strategic investment fund over the next four years.

Ironically, the only stumbling block could be the conservative Argentine union, some of whose members are deeply attached to amateurism. Even an IRB blueprint for a South American provincial competition, including six Argentine sides and one each from Uruguay and Chile, which is ready for immediate implemen-tation, has yet to be approved.

However, Miller says that Argentine rugby has the right to decide where it goes next.

“We have money burning a hole in our pockets,” he said, “and we would like to invest it in bringing Argentina properly into international rugby. We are here, ready to go, but it’s up to them.”

Argentina against the TriNations

New Zealand P13 W0 D1 L12
High: 21-21 draw in Buenos Aires in 1985
Low: 93-8 defeat in Wellington in 1997

Australia P17 W4 D1 L12
High: Winning their first meeting 24-13 in Buenos Aires in 1979
Low: Losing 32-19 in the 1991 World Cup in Llanelli

South Africa P11 W0 L11
High: Losing 26-25 in Port Elizabeth in 2003
Low: Shipping five tries in a 39-7 defeat in Buenos Aires in 2004