Ever since Argentina first debuted in the Rugby Championship in 2012 talk of an Argentine Super Rugby team steadily grew. In recent weeks SANZAR have confirmed the expansion of Super Rugby for an Argentine team, as well as a sixth South African franchise, possibly for the 2016 season – as the current SANZAR TV deal for Super Rugby runs out at the end of the 2015 season. But should this bear fruit there are several factors to be addressed if an Argentine team in Super Rugby is to be a success.
Firstly, the Argentine rugby union (UAR) have to entice their best players to play for their team, as it cannot be potent or competitive if their best players are unavailable. Last summer it looked hard especially when looking at the Pumas squad for their opening game in the 2013 Rugby Championship. From their 30-man squad 16 players were with clubs in the northern hemisphere: nine in England and seven in France while the rest are either unattached (of those five players unattached all were released from French teams in the Top 14) or play in Argentina’s amateur domestic league.
The main reasons why many Argentinians went to France and England during the 2000’s was the quality of rugby was far higher than their homeland, as well as the wages, notably in France where the Top 14 operates at a €10 million salary cap while England’s Premiership has a cap of just over €5 million.
Despite Argentina’s domestic league fiercely (and proudly) maintaining amateur status the UAR has tried to change it to professional, which in recent weeks has been achieved with the consent of the amateur clubs. The progress to change from amateur to professional began when in 2009 the UAR started to centrally contract players under a professional contract. However, the wages are a pittance when compared to the Top 14, as those contracted players under the UAR merely receive 2,300 pesos a month ($655/£452/AU$433/€285).
But in recent months Agustin Pichot, who has been the driving force to include Argentina in Super Rugby, made it clear that Argentine players would only be considered for the Pumas squad if they played in Super Rugby from 2016 onwards. Already there are Argentine players plying their trade in the southern hemisphere – prop Matias Diaz for the Highlanders & lock Manuel Carizza for the Stormers. Pichot has also made it clear he wants more Argentine to play in Super Rugby prior to 2016 but no doubt that will be up to the other franchises in Australia, South Africa and New Zealand.
The second factor to whether Argentina will be a success in Super Rugby is the youngsters coming through the system. A good team is composed of quality players but also exciting youth prospects being unearthed and gaining first team experience. Luckily for the UAR their national youth team has such good potential and have shown their talents in the Junior World Championships during the last two years.
In the 2012 edition Argentina punched above their weight and finished 4th after reaching the semi finals. On the way they surprised the fancied French, destroyed Scotland, overcame Australia in the pool stages before losing to South Africa in the semi-finals and Wales in the 3rd/4th place playoff but their combustive forward pack and diminutive backs won plaudits.
In the 2013 Junior World Championships they finished in 6th place yet their fly half Patricio Fernandez was top points scorer of the 2013 JWC – scoring four tries in the process. There are a multitude of promising youngsters within the Pumas youth set up that could play for an Argentinean Super Rugby franchise. There are several to choose from such as Manuel Montero, Tomas Lavanini, Santiago Cordero & Facundo Isa but there is one that stands out for me. Firstly, 19-year-old fly half Fernandez is a potentially world class talent, who for a first five-eighth loves to run with the ball, is excellent at supporting players who make line breaks and is a accurate goal-kicker.
Moreover, these youngsters recently have applied their talent in the Pacific Cup hosted in Australia under the Pampas XV, which has been mooted as the name of the Argentine franchise. Mixed with youngsters but experienced players (some from their national Sevens squad) the Pampas have been undefeated and will contest the final against the Reds A on the weekend. The Pampas have shown their players can hack it and if they win the Pacific Cup final it will boost their profile.
The third factor is the location: where within the country would the Argentinians play their Super Rugby home games? A viable base is needed where they can maximize their marketing campaign allowing them to utilize support from potential fans. The logistical choice that SANZAR would prefer is the capital Buenos Aires where there are several football stadiums in use within the city. Whenever Argentina play in the capital they normally use the Estadio José Amalfitani: home of top Argentine side Velez Sarsfield. However, there is another choice that could be used, the northern provinces of Tucuman & Salta. The lands of northern Argentina love their rugby almost as much as New Zealanders do. The Springboks certainly will know how fierce a place it is for they will play Argentina at Salta in the Rugby Championship this summer.
In addition, Argentina’s TV ratings will be of interest to SANZAR. While not as powerful as the South Africans they can bring a sizeable chunk of ratings. For any sporting event the highest income to the organizers of the competition comes from TV rights. SANZAR know that Argentina has potential in terms of its national team and sponsors. Interestingly ratings in Argentina for their games in the Rugby Championship are good: which includes games not involving Argentina.
Though some have questioned the inclusion of Argentina in Super Rugby (like Dave Rennie of the Chiefs) there is potential within Argentina. One thing is for sure – they will certainly bring something different to the table.
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