Comments on: Should the British and Irish Lions consider touring Argentina?

By: Steffy

Steffy — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 12:03:04 +0000

How much money would it make?

By: Bay35Pablo

Bay35Pablo — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 11:59:04 +0000

Pothale, when’s the last time you saw any rugby administrator organise something on 4 years notice? That’s less than 1200 lunch meetings! You’ll be lucky to get it organised this century!!!

And even if they could, NO! Only fair the current cycle be completed. Oz 2013, NZ 2017, SAF 2021, Arg 2025.

Bloody good idea, assuming all the logistics can be worked out.

Given the congested NH calendar, perhaps we could just can the Heineken Cup that year to make room?

By: Working Class Rugger

Working Class Rugger — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 03:10:16 +0000

Hmmm… Probably not. I personally don’t think Argentina would be ready until 2017 but the touring schedule really isn’t up to me, the B&I Lions will go where they choose.

By: pothale

pothale — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 16:20:55 +0000

WC Rugger – Exactly – that’s my point.

By the way, would Australian fans be happy to give up the Lions tour of Oz in 2013, so that the Lions could tour Argentina instead, assuming that Argentina were prepared for it?

By: Working Class Rugger

Working Class Rugger — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 16:08:55 +0000

pothale

And they might win their first series in what 16 years and four tours if the tour Argentina in 2013.

I think it’s a great idea. Realistically it could happen in 2017. By then Argentine professionals will be far greater than today. Hopefully they will have the on south american league as Ian alluded to in one of his previous Argentina threads. Next year Argentina are expected to top 100,000 registered players for the first time with more than 50% of that total being juniors. bodes well for Argentina’s future.

By: Alan Nicolea

Alan Nicolea — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:41:55 +0000

Of course. Agree with you True Tah.

By: pothale

pothale — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:19:14 +0000

Good idea. Bashing the Argies occasionally would be a more attractive prospect than bashing the WALBOKABS – there’d be a bit of bite in the game. Not literally, of course.

By: Ian Noble

Ian Noble — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 16:42:33 +0000

Yes is the obvious answer, but how do you fit it into the International calendar. The SH would regret giving away profitable game against Four Nations to allow the Lions to tour Argentina. By the way, I think the suggested itinerary is excellent and on the recent game in Salta v England, the crowd were enthusiatic and arriving three hours before the game is perhaps indicative of a country crying out for more international rugby. As a matter of interest when did tthe SH nations last tour Argentina, perhaps somebody could inform me.

One of the reasons the Pumas have improved so much is that their top players are playing in the NH professional leagues, with better quality coaching and players. It gives them the confidence to match up. As far as the SH is concerned otherthan Hernandez moving to Natal I don’t know of any other player playing in the SH. Obviously there is a closed shop in NZ and OZ but if more played in the SH then standards overall would improve. It is more than the occasional test match it needs more committment across the board to bring their players on.