Argentina have edged closer to joining an expanded Four Nations competition following the IRB Council’s decision to assist the release of the Pumas’ players into the southern hemisphere’s big stage competition, and may be competing by 2012.
“Today’s announcement represents an historic milestone in the process of Argentina’s integration into an expanded Tri Nations tournament and is an extremely exciting development for the Unión Argentina de Rugby and Rugby around the world,” said IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset.
“At the Woking Forum in 2007 the global Rugby community made a commitment to prioritise finding an appropriate solution for Argentina’s integration into an annual tournament structure,†added Lapasset.
The IRB Council have taken player welfare and practical considerations into account by making the move to help Argentine players to cross hemispheres and participate in the competition.
