Something interesting is happening in Argentina
Roar Guru By Oscar Jimenez, 15 May 2009 The Crowd is a Roar Guru
The Argentinean Jaguars on winning debut against Namibia. Photo by Prematch Argentina
The Jaguars – formerly Argentina A – have won the first game of two friendlies against the national representative team from Namibia in a match played in Buenos Aires last weekend.
Something interesting is happening in Argentina. Since early this year, the Argentina Rugby Union (UAR) is working hard on the development of a professional rugby team based in Buenos Aires.
The Jaguars, a 32 member squad consisting of players attached to the domestic amateur competitions, have a one year contract with UAR as senior professional players.
Namibia, a RWC 2007 contender that played in the same pool with Argentina in France, is currently in their preparation to the IRB qualifier round for the RWC 2011. They traveled to Buenos Aires to play two games against the Jaguars, the first professional rugby team based in Argentina.
About the match: Argentina won easily. A one way game with an unusually poor performance from the visitors.
The Jaguars were a fine machine, executing good rugby and taking any opportunity given by the South Africans.
The game finished with an impressive 62-7 score and ten tries in total..
The Jaguars and Namibia will play the second game on Saturday at La Plata city. The Argentineans will put an alternative team on the roster, with fifteen new players of the highly skilled 32 member squad.
The friendly game is probably anecdotal at this stage, but what is interesting is the emergence of a professional team that Argentina is developing, to play in regular competitions such as the Currie Cup or Super 14.
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May 15th 2009 @ 12:50pm
Working Class Rugger said | May 15th 2009 @ 12:50pm | Report comment
I think the next step for Super rugby is to look at the creation of more conferences. The Americas and Asia. Buenos Aires, Montevideo, Santiago, Los Angles, New York and Vancouver would host the teams in the Ameicas conference. Tokyo, Osaka,Hong Kong, Singapore, Dubai and perhaps Shanghai. could make up the Asian conference. The SANZAR nations should aspire to to having 6 teams or at least including PI teams out of Fiji and Samoa.
May 15th 2009 @ 1:10pm
matta said | May 15th 2009 @ 1:10pm | Report comment
Not a bad effort at all. Two of the best players I have ever taken the pitch with were two young Namibs a few years back. There was talk of a couple of Super 14 franchises showing interest in the fellas (never came to anything). My point is no doubt these guys are in the national team now so its not like the Argies were playing muppets.
Having said that, most top flight Namibs end up playing for the Saffers.
May 15th 2009 @ 1:19pm
Working Class Rugger said | May 15th 2009 @ 1:19pm | Report comment
What is most remarkable about this development of professional players within Argentina is how competitve they have become so quickly. We all know the talent that has always existed. Argentina is a Rugby nation. With close to 100,000 registered players. But the grond they have made. They have the Curchill Cup a little later this year. And I;m going to make a bold prediction. They’ll win it. Canad and the US will be relatively comfortable victories. The English, Scotish and Irish A squads will be a far sterner tests but they should come out on top.
May 15th 2009 @ 1:38pm
matta said | May 15th 2009 @ 1:38pm | Report comment
WCR – it is pretty good isnt it.
Just looked at the team sheet – Namibian Hooker Shaun Eterhuisen. Played with him a few years back, look out for him at next WC. Mast talented hooker I have seen in my day.
May 15th 2009 @ 1:43pm
Brett McKay said | May 15th 2009 @ 1:43pm | Report comment
matta, do the Namibians still have the flanker who’s represented the country in three or four different sports?? He played in the 2003 Cricket and RWC, and there’s a couple of other sports too (hockey comes to mind). One of those ridiculously natural talent guys you just wanted to kneecap…
May 15th 2009 @ 1:48pm
Working Class Rugger said | May 15th 2009 @ 1:48pm | Report comment
The most talented hooker. That’s a worry for Namibia. If he’s of any quality, Sth Africa probably are keeping a eye on the bloke.
May 15th 2009 @ 2:01pm
IronAwe said | May 15th 2009 @ 2:01pm | Report comment
Bringing the Pumas into the tri-nations to make a four-nations is inevitable. They play an entertaining style of rugby with flare and passion, and are extremely competitive. However, bringing them into the Super tournemant is a little more complicated. Players and teams (mainly SA) already complain about the amount of travel and the toll this takes. As much as I would love to see it, I dont see logistcially how it could be done. Plus the majority of their players ply their trade in Europe, trying to convince some of them to come play down here would be a hard task.
Best thing is, its another Southern Hemisphere team dominating rugby!
May 15th 2009 @ 2:05pm
matta said | May 15th 2009 @ 2:05pm | Report comment
WCR. Yeah I would be shocked if he didnt get a foot in the door at a Saffer super 14 club at some stage. Still only about 22 or 23 I reckon. I played with him when he was 18 and have never seen anything like it.
Brett, what was that bloke name?
Namibia could be another development country. With Kenya getting better they will be pushed for the 2nd Africa spot to coming WC’s. I guess they will always struggle with only 2,000,000 people and serious political issues.
I never forget one night one warm spring night we were on the scrum machine, young Shaun was hooking, just as the coached finished yelling “Crouch and Hold” (this was pre TOUCH) a car back fired in the car park… Shaun threw his hands up in the air, bent his knees and turned around like a Doberman looking for the ball its master had pretended to throw. Turns out the kid thought it was gun fire – kinda what they are used to over there.
May 15th 2009 @ 2:06pm
Working Class Rugger said | May 15th 2009 @ 2:06pm | Report comment
Once the the Four Nations is up and running. The Southern Quartet will dominate the Top 4 as it should.
May 15th 2009 @ 2:08pm
matta said | May 15th 2009 @ 2:08pm | Report comment
IronAwe. Yeah only way it would work with Argies in Super 14 would be pool systems so teams played less game outside their region…. but then, who are the Saffers and Argies going to play when not traveling? I dunno its a hard one.