The Pumas' impressive performance in the World Cup demands inclusion in a major tournament. The question is which of the two hemispheres would suit them better.
'Their style of play is far more suited to the Six Nations. However, whether it would benefit the tournament and Northern Hemisphere rugby in general is a difficult question'
On Sunday night Argentina finally were sent home from World Cup 2007 by a rampant Springboks performance, and I for one will be sorry to see them go. They put in some excellent performances and really confounded both expectations and their critics.
In previous tournaments Argentina were an unpleasant side who played nasty, negative, percentage rugby and were on the end of some heavy beatings from the major nations. That all changed this time round as coach Marcelo Loffreda's men truly established themselves as a major force in world rugby.
Surely everyone, however begrudgingly, would agree that for Argentina to reach the semi-finals of this tournament was a magnificent achievement. For a nation that never really got to grips with the knock-out stages it was a huge step forward. In many ways the Pumas epitomise the experience of this World Cup, and have played a fantastic part in securing its place in the history books as a remarkable sporting event.
Both the players and the coaching staff have a lot to be proud of. Their opening 17-12 victory over France set the tone for the rest of the tournament as the underdogs defeated the favourites for the first but not the last time in World Cup 2007.
The guts, determination and not a little skill with which they ground out that victory was a lesson in smart tactics and grit that France will not forget in a hurry. It spurred the Pumas on to greater things, and they left some big sides trailing in their wake. After comprehensively winning their group, and putting out sorry Ireland in the process, they marched on past Scotland and only faltered against the vastly superior Springboks. To count France, Ireland and Scotland among your scalps in a World Cup indicates a very impressive performance indeed.
However, in the wake of defeat there are some big questions to be asked about Argentinian rugby. Surely they cannot continue to be the only IRB tier-one classed nation without regular competition alongside similar ranked sides? The Pumas, and rugby in Argentina, will not improve without this. They have proved they can compete with the best and should be treated as such. You could certainly argue based on results in the past eight years that they deserve that far more than Italy. So should they join the Six Nations or the Tri-Nations?
Their style of play is far more suited to the Six Nations, and they have proved they could compete effectively against every side they would face. However, whether it would benefit the tournament and Northern Hemisphere rugby in general is a difficult question.
Firstly, the international calendar is already overcrowded, and club-versus-country rows already dominate the period around the Six Nations and the autumn internationals. Club sides lose their top players for many weeks of the season, and it could be argued that the players themselves are suffering from playing too much already. Adding another team is not going to help that situation. The Seen Nations begins to look like one step to far.
This leaves the Tri-Nations, a much tougher nut to crack, and there would no doubt be huge resistance to letting the Pumas in. However, it does seem like the more sensible option; after all, Argentina is in the Southern Hemisphere! Also, it would be good for the flamboyant sides already in this tournament to test themselves against a more European-style opposition on a regular basis.
In the last two World Cups, this style of play has always proved a stumbling block for the Tri-Nations sides. The All Blacks invariably go in as favourites playing champagne rugby, but end up being defeated by a gritty European side who are willing to put in the hard yards. Australia have been twice defeated by England in this manner and South Africa lost out last time round as well.
Argentina have earned the right to play this standard of rugby on a regular basis. They are ranked higher in the world than virtually all the Six Nations sides, and above Australia, too. The question is, will the IRB step up to the plate and give them the chance?
What do you think? Should the Pumas be playing in the Six Nations or the Tri Nations? What should the IRB do? Post your comments below or submit an article of your own to Sportingo.