Argentina set to join new SANZAR Four Nations competition in 2012

[travelling_gerry]

Argentina set to join new SANZAR Four Nations competition in 2012

May 13, 2010 - 9:30am
Story by: SANZAR
The team known by their countrymen as "Los Pumas"


SANZAR have today welcomed the decision of the IRB Council to change the player availability regulation marking a major step towards Argentina’s national team, Los Pumas, participating in a new SANZAR Four Nations competition from 2012.

The decision by the IRB Council today to alter IRB Regulation 9 which governs the release of players for international duty, greatly assists in meeting the condition set by SANZAR that Argentina was required to secure the availability of its best players to participate in the Four Nations tournament.
The change will ensure that the release period for the new Four Nations (currently Tri Nations) aligns with the new dates for the competition from late August through until early October.

In September 2009, SANZAR issued an invitation to the Pumas to join the SANZAR competition from 2012 subject to several conditions which have now been resolved. Negotiation of a participation agreement with the UAR remains the last hurdle for inauguration of the new competition.

“This is an exciting step for SANZAR and for world rugby, as it confirms Argentina’s participation in a top-flight rugby competition, which they thoroughly deserve, and will add a dynamic new element to the current Tri Nations, which is already regarded as one of the world’s toughest tournaments,” said SANZAR and New Zealand Rugby Union CEO Steve Tew.

“We now need to finalise a participation agreement with the UAR so we can move to full planning for the introduction of Argentina in 2012,” he said.

The IRB confirmed in March that it would match SANZAR and provide a significant investment of US$2.5m per annum from 2012 to 2015.

SANZAR has also confirmed today that the three SANZAR Unions and their Super Rugby teams will work with the UAR to look at providing greater opportunities for Argentinean players to play in Super Rugby teams as part of the lead-up to the new Four Nations.


http://www.rugby.com.au/news/aru_gen.../section/21893

[MI5_Dog]

good news all round.
now who's the best 10 the Argies have so we can flog him

[blueandblack]

excellent news

[Burgs]

Sounds good to me

[James]

I wonder how it would work. You'd assume we'd go back to one home and one away each which should keep the same number of games.

I wonder if they run easy flights between South Africa and Argentina.

[beige]

You'd assume we'd go back to one home and one away each which should keep the same number of games.

That's what they said when they originally announced the plans - which is more good news as far as I'm concerned

[Lonzy]

YAY, yet another excuse to head to south america...

[Burgs]

I wonder if they run easy flights between South Africa and Argentina.

Maybe the ARU should do the sums on combining the team itinerary with an "Ultimate Supporters Tour" flying Perth-Joh'burg-Beunos Aires-Auckland-Sydney and chartering their own jet

[blueandblack]

Maybe the ARU should do the sums on combining the team itinerary with an "Ultimate Supporters Tour" flying Perth-Joh'burg-Beunos Aires-Auckland-Sydney and chartering their own jet

Well, its taken ages to do but I've finally done it.

PER->JNB 29JUN10 QF303 (Perth to JoBurg)
JNB->LHR 06JUL10 BA54 (JoBurg to London. Sorry, has to be this way )
LHR->EZE 07JUL10 BA247 (London to Buenos Aires)
AEP->SCL 13JUL10 LA4638 (Buenos Aires to Chile. Again has to be this way)
SCL->AKL 13JUL10 LA801 (Chile to Auckland)
AKL->SYD 20JUL10 QF114 (Auckland to Sydney)

Approx $4300 (oneworld) or $3878 (star alliance)

[terrycobner]

Malaysian fly joburg to buenos aires I believe
Posted via Mobile Device

[welshrugbyfan]

good news all round.
now who's the best 10 the Argies have so we can flog him

Felipe Contepomi

[blueandblack]

Malaysian fly joburg to buenos aires I believe
Posted via Mobile Device

but separate flights make the whole trip way more expensive. Anyway revising now, using star alliance instead of one world.

[Burgs]

You would have to do it on a "Round the World" ticket otherwise ugly expense.
As soon as you jump airline groups (unless internal) or break the guidelines you are up for major coin.
If you can you are better off doing it on One World as that is Qantas so can use points rewards locally. That lot would be almost two east west return trips if you tie in some accom and car hire etc.
Far better to pay someone $10k all expenses and fly with the Squad on your own charter though

[tragic]

Wow! I was half-suspecting that the Argies inclusion wouldn't happen, but excellent news! Hell of a logistics exercise. I love how you lot immediately go into tour-preparations

[hertryk]

Well, its taken ages to do but I've finally done it.

PER->JNB 29JUN10 QF303 (Perth to JoBurg)
JNB->LHR 06JUL10 BA54 (JoBurg to London. Sorry, has to be this way )
LHR->EZE 07JUL10 BA247 (London to Buenos Aires)
AEP->SCL 13JUL10 LA4638 (Buenos Aires to Chile. Again has to be this way)
SCL->AKL 13JUL10 LA801 (Chile to Auckland)
AKL->SYD 20JUL10 QF114 (Auckland to Sydney)

Approx $4300 (oneworld) or $3878 (star alliance)

I am sure Flight Centre could do a deal...