Argentina Needs A Team In Super Rugby

Argentina peaked in a rugby sense in 2007 at the world cup and since then it has never managed to live up to the highs of that team. A few things happened after that world cup. Argentinian talent was bought up by French and English clubs, leaving no stars in Argentina to play in their domestic league. On a more positive note this good performance at the world cup was a catalyst for them being allowed into the Tri-Nations as it became ‘The Rugby Championship’ in 2012.

Argentina now sits at the top table internationally with two games against the SANZAR nations every year. This not only improves players but also grows interest as some of the best players come to Buenos Aries. However, Argentina is the odd one out in the rugby championship. South Africa, Australia and New Zealand each have five Super Rugby franchises.

Therefore, their players are playing in one of the most entertaining and competitive leagues in the world, week in week out, whilst remaining in their homeland. Argentinians are being forced to move to England and France in order to play at the top level. Their player drain is the most serious in the world and the only way to solve it is by giving them a Super Rugby franchise.

Just nine of Argentina’s squad for last year’s rugby championship plied their trade in their home country. Who can blame them? The Argentinian domestic league has little to offer them, neither in quality rugby nor financial incentive. The stars of the Argentinian game have travelled North with Marcelo Bosch at Saracens and Juan Martin Hernandez at Racing Metro being two of the top attractions.

Argentina is the only team within the top ten of the IRB world rankings without domestic teams playing at a consistently high level. This means that their performances lack cohesion as a national team as the players come from all over the world. Playing against the best on a national level will boost playing numbers but they cannot seriously challenge again until they have their own franchise.

The benefits would be huge for Argentina. I am not suggesting that they be given five franchises like the other nations in Super Rugby; one would be enough at this time. A franchise based in Buenos Aries could develop and retain young players in Argentina. This would help the national team by establishing reliable combinations in key areas, for example at the half-backs.

It would also help to keep some of the top talent in the country to inspire the next generation. It is important to remember that rugby is very much the second sport in Argentina and has to compete with football for the nation’s young talent. Lionel Messi is the poster boy of Argentinian sport; he too has left his homeland. There is a void in Argentinian sport that can be filled with a Super Rugby franchise and encouraging young rugby players to stay at home.

Although there are many reasons for creating this franchise, there are several logistical flaws in the plan. First a basic one; flight times and travel distances are extended even further. This is a major issue with Argentina as there is no direct flight from Buenos Aries to Johannesburg, something Scotland are having to contend with later this month.

Add to this there would need to be serious organisational changes to the Super Rugby set up. At present each team play within their own national conference of five teams and play four games against other conferences. As Argentina would only have one franchise realistically there would need to be a serious restructure of the Super Rugby system.

Argentina would benefit hugely from being allowed in Super Rugby. However, it is a move that does not look like it is anywhere near happening at this point in time. The logistical requirements may be too numerous for Argentina to cope with. However, with many South African fans hoping that the rainbow nation decides to play in a European league in the future, Argentina could be called on earlier than expected.

They could be called upon by the New Zealand and Australian members to help hold Super Rugby together, should the South Africans up sticks. This is something that the Argentinians will be hoping for, as a franchise would benefit their nation’s rugby no end. At present however, the opportunity simply isn't there for them, when it arises they must be ready to act and seize it.