14 Sep 2009

Argentina to join tri-nations from 2012

7:05 pm on 14 September 2009

Argentina is set to join the Tri Nations rugby tournament from 2012, creating a new Four Nations tournament.

However, SANZAR, the board governing the competition, has placed conditions on the Pumas involvement.

Andy Marinos, the CEO of SANZAR says Argentina will need to secure the participation of their best players for the tournament, as the bulk of their top players currently play in European club competition.

He says the New Zealand, Australian, and South African rugby unions will work with Argentina to place their best players across Super Rugby teams in the three countries.

Financial requirements will also have to be met.

The format for the new competition will see the four teams playing on a home and away basis, meaning six matches per team.

The Four Nations will be played from mid-August, for an eight or nine week period through until early to mid-October.

In a Rugby World Cup year an abbreviated format will be played through July and August.