The most important piece in the puzzle for Argentina’s new Super Rugby franchise has been put in place with the signing of Pumas captain Agustin Creevy.
The Union Argentina de Rugby (UAR) on Monday announced 30-year-old hooker Creevy as the first player based outside of Argentina to commit to the team, who join the competition next year.
Creevy captained Argentina in its upset 21-17 win over Australia in Mendoza last year, their first win in the southern hemisphere’s Rugby Championship.
He currently plays for Worcester in the English Premiership and his signing brings the number of contracted players to 22.
“It makes me very happy to confirm this agreement with the UAR,” Creevy said via videoconference.
“It’s a big step. I have played for Argentina from a young age and was always proud to defend the Argentina shirt. I never hesitated to go back home.
“This is a very important year. The World Cup is the main aim for this 2015, but then comes the moment to join Super Rugby which is a historic dream for everyone.”
Creevy has previously played in the French competition for Biarritz, Clermont and Montpellier.
Breeze101
Roar Rookie
Welcome Argentina to the Super Rugby family I also hope their own domestic Rugby competition can turn professional as well like Itm cup, NRC & Currie Cup so they can retain good Rugby talent in Argentina. I'm more concern on the format of Super Rugby I'm not sure how it's going work with the different time zones & how the table system is going to pan out that will be interesting. Japan & a 6th South African team will also join the Super Rugby family a total of 18 teams between four proud nations. I'm all for Rugby Union to continue to break new markets & grow this great game but 4 nations has to be where it stops otherwise it just becomes bloody ridiculous. From what I do know it will go from top 6 to top 8 for the finals. I like to see the 3 Conference System stay in place with Argentina joining NZ conference, Japan joining the Australian Conference & South Africa with its new franchise to remain in the South African Conference. Top 2 from each conference will make the finals with two wildcards to decide the last remaining two sides in the top 8 will be the way to go in my opinion.
HiKa
Roar Rookie
@TinfoilHat - Seeing the Wallabies play so badly and the ref have such a poor game certainly upset me!
Tinfoil Hat
Guest
Was the argie victory over the wallabies last year really an 'upset'? The gold coast game was close after all.
Machpants
Roar Guru
A full strength Argentinian national side in SR? Theoretically they should be right up there every year. But picking only home based players is going to be tough, I think it will mean a drop in quality for their national team and they will struggle to compete in SR too. Unless a LOT of money is available to be thrown around to lure their best players back from Europe?
Shop
Roar Guru
Lastima, vivo en Mendoza.
José Lindheimer
Guest
The team will only play in Buenos Aires and, possibly, in La Plata.
Carlos the Argie in the USA
Guest
The full list of players that signed with the UAR is at the bottom of this link. The article is in Spanish, but there shouldn't be an issue reading names. Is there? http://mohicanosrugby.com/?p=46948
Shop
Roar Guru
I'm rally looking forward to seeing how the Argentina side goes, but I'm very suspicious about the detail of the competition as a whole. Does anyone know if the team will play outside BA?
Not Bothered
Guest
Sanchez, Matera, Creevy and who? Wheres the squad?
Blinky Bill of Bellingen NSW
Guest
Agree. Someone needs to work out a more logical format that won't see players being away from home for long periods and absolutely sick & tired of seeing airports, yet still keep the dosh rolling in. One of the attractions of Rugby is the ability to travel, see the world & experience different cultures. But there's a limit.
Eddard
Roar Guru
The Argentinian Union have: http://rugbyworldcup-argentina2023.blogspot.com.au/2014/12/professionalism-rugby-argentinas-future.html I guess we'll find out if it will work or not from 2016. One positive for them is that their team will essentially be playing with each other all season. During Super Rugby they'll undoubtedly experiment and rotate players a bit. Hopefully only 1 team in Argentina is a temporary situation and there will soon be 2 or more.
Chivas
Guest
Where has anybody said that they will only pick from those playing in Argentina?
Bakkies
Guest
Sanchez, Matera are based abroad and they signed before Creevy. Having just one pro team and saying that the Pumas will be picked from home based players won't work.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Good step for the future, though one begins to wonder if Super Rugby isn't going to be too scattered geographically to work long term.