Proud day for Pumas
Tuesday 15 September 2009 11:10, UK
Argentina's inclusion in an expanded Tri Nations from 2012 is richly merited, says Stuart Barnes.
Tri Nations inclusion opens door to long-term Argentinian success
The world champions are also the world's best. It is not often the case but after South Africa's win in Hamilton to wrap the Tri Nations up a week ahead of schedule there can be little doubt over the current world rankings. Not only have they beaten Australia and New Zealand but this was a Lions summer and - having seen the comfort of the Springbok home wins in the Tri Nations - it is fair to say this was a more than decent Lions team. It may even have been exceptional, far better than their 1997 predecessors who beat one of the most tactically naive South African teams of modern times. This lot were anything but naive. Apart from forty minutes in Perth they didn't win many beauty contests but they had a hard core of tactical know how running through the spine of this team. It may be that this and not the World Cup is the performance peak of this South African side.New roots
The Tri Nations continues to hog the news even after Hamilton with the news that Argentina will be admitted three years hence. It is great news for the international team but a mixed blessing for the professional clubs of England but more especially, France. One of the caveats is that Argentina must select their best team. This means that many of the elite Argentine players will have to play all year round or move south of the equator. The former is almost impossible. Rugby is too physical to go from the rigours of European club rugby to the Tri Nations, via one assumes, international matches prior to the tournament. The Tri Nations see the distribution of Argentine players in the Super 14 (as it is for now) as the obvious solution and for Argentina and the Super tournament the prospect of seeing some of the world's best performers wearing the colours of South African, New Zealand and Australian franchises is a wonderful one. The French club system may not be quite so enamoured. It will have to dig even deeper to keep those coming towards or at their peak. Yet it isn't as simple as it seems. Argentine players have more than a love of the Euro. France and Italy are places in which the South Americans are relaxed. New cultural roots will have to be laid down across the rugby world.Success
It is a worry for Europe but also a fine opportunity for the world game. To see so many non-French front row forwards for a rugby traditionalist is to see something treasured slipping out of the game. Fewer South American props and hookers would mean more and earlier opportunities for younger Frenchmen. In the long term this will prove a boost to the French as well as the Argentine game. The overwhelming feeling is one of joy. Players like Gus Pichot have poured half their lives into the Pumas shirt. They have been the outsiders smashing at the door and only rugby intransigence and snobbery has kept them out. Had Europe been smart it might have created a two tier European championship and introduce Argentina playing from Spain but the Southern Hemisphere has responded to the just demands of the Pumas and opened the door to long term success for Argentina. This will one day be remembered as the weekend when the rugby world gave another country the chance it has so richly merited of joining the elite nations on a regular basis. It was a rotten week for Argentine football but a superb one for their rugby cousins.Stuart answers your emails...
Got a question for Stuart? Email him at skysportsclub@bskyb.com or use the feedback form below...Fronting up
Hi Stuart, why all the fuss about Dylan Hartley being club captain for Saints at 23? You will remember a certain England captain being appointed in the 80's at the young age of 22. You may have very well played under Will Carling. Good to see the Premiership back again Cheers, Mike Howell, DoverSTUART REPLIES: Mike, I think the fuss about Hartley relates to the fact he is a front row forward, most of whom don't peak until their late 20s. He also has a reputation as a hot head, hence people see Jim Mallinder's decision as a risky one. If it works it might take the sloppiness out of his game and turn him from a potentially outstanding hooker into the real thing. I was impressed with his maturity both on and off the field Saturday. He played well and said exactly the right things afterwards. Let's hope the Saints bold call pays off. PS I did play under Will Carling.
Don't be four-lorn
Stuart, as an ardent follower of the Tri-Nations I'm dismayed by the decision to involve Argentina. In its present form the competition is intense, action-packed and enthralling. I can't help but think that the Pumas, even allowing for some improvement, won't dilute that experience. Chalk up another win for the money men. James DixonSTUART REPLIES: James, I couldn't disagree with you more. See my column. Do you not think that the regularity with which the Big Three meet is taking some of the magic out of the contests? Take the global perspective of the game and it has to be great news.
Mistakes happen
Stuart, what is the point of professionalism - and more to the point video replays - if officials can't even get the most basic decisions right on the pitch? I'm referring, of course, to the ridiculous decision to deny Soane Tonga'uiha's try at Wembley on Saturday. A great day out, a great game but such a frustrating finish. Bob Jones, PutneySTUART REPLIES: Bob, all the technology in the world won't legislate for the odd error - either human or computer. I thought Northampton scored a winning try and reviewing the incident I don't understand how Dave Matthews didn't but Miles Harrison has pretty good eyes and was less certain. Brendan Venter was sure it wasn't a try.....
Pace aces
Simpson/Cipriani. Have you ever seen a quicker half back combination (Not counting Morris/Barnes)? Barney de BerrySTUART REPLIES: Morris Barnes sounds like the car you take out of your garage for a Sunday afternoon drive in the country. True, as the years go by Dewi and I remember each other getting quicker and quicker but I think it is fair to say this Wasps pairing might have stretched us unless we slowed them down with a decent Pomerol. I still do not think Cipriani is moving with his overdrive of two years ago. I look forward and expect to see him flat out whereas if Joe Simpson gets any quicker he's going to take off. He's still not perfect in a technical sense but watching him tear defences to shreds this season only multiplies my confusion of last season when Wasps were too conservative to start him. Wasps are playing with more ambition this time around.
