Argentina-Rugby Union.
NEW ZEALAND rugby is poised to put its money where its mouth is and help Argentina play in an expanded Super rugby competition and the Tri Nations.
Until now, the darlings of the previous World Cup have been precluded because most of their players are wedded to northern hemisphere clubs.
But New Zealand, with the blessing of its top professional players, is poised to allow franchises to pick a quota of overseas players, paving the way for Argentina’s best to play in the Tri Nations and an expanded Super 14 competition.
It is hoped the move will invigorate flagging interest in Super rugby and allow the Pumas to pick a competitive side during the July-September Test window.
Currently, Argentina would struggle to pick a strong team to play in an expanded Tri Nations because their best players are playing for European clubs that would not release them.
The question is how many Argentine players would be prepared to leave Europe to play Down Under, although the prospect of more Test rugby at a higher level would be an incentive.
Crucially, the New Zealand Rugby Players’ Association is backing the move. Picking overseas players has long been considered a no-no because it denied home-grown talent opportunities.
However, NZRPA boss Rob Nichol said: "Super rugby expansion plans means there will be no shortage of opportunities for New Zealand players so we are right behind the concept; we would even advocate going a step further and allowing New Zealanders to play for overseas Super rugby teams and still be eligible for the All Blacks".
The future of Super rugby and SANZAR - the alliance between the rugby unions of South Africa, New Zealand and Australia - is up in the air while the three countries debate the competition’s future size and shape. SANZAR is due to begin negotiating with broadcasters in June.
Some plans have already been leaked, including the push to include Argentina. However, until now, too many barriers have prohibited their inclusion. One looming question is whether the concept would make commercial sense.
But Nichol, who has been party to most of the negotiations, believes there’s a renewed purpose in the alliance regarding Argentina.
"We need to get the future shape of the game right. We have consistently said that if we continue to use the All Black jersey alone to stop our players leaving for overseas, we will lose that battle and New Zealand will become another Argentina or Pacific Island.
"But if we offer [the players] the best competitions in the world to play in, we will win the battle. We think having a cross-border flavour to some of the teams would enhance interest."
Australia already allows two overseas imports in its Super rugby sides. And in South Africa, French star Frederic Michalak was a drawcard for the Sharks last year.
