The All Blacks are poised to play at River Plate Stadium in Buenos Aires for the first time in 15 years when they face Argentina in this year’s Rugby Championship.
UAR president Carlos Araujo told journalists the ground was all-but confirmed to host the Test on October 1 in the penultimate round of the four-nation tournament.
“My expectation, as a fan and leader, is that we can get it done at River and complete our first victory against New Zealand,” Araujo said.
New Zealand’s only other Test at the 61,000 capacity stadium was in 2001, when New Zealand won 24-20 courtesy of an injury-time try to loose forward Scott Robertson.
The All Blacks’ three Rugby Championship Tests in Argentina have all been in nearby La Plata.
River Plate Stadium is Argentina’s largest sports venue and hosted the 1978 FIFA World Cup final between Argentina and the Netherlands.
Bondio
Roar Rookie
That's great! I'm tatengue, so I can't wish you good like for this weekend :-) They tryed to convince CASI to build on his stadium, But they didn't agree. A national training camp would be more beneficial, similar to the AFA (futbol association) with hotel to host U20 and players form other locations. With first world facilities and professionals. BTW: I would love to play the All Blacks in the Bombonera!!! But I the ingoal there would not fit at all.
Carlos the Argie in the USA
Guest
This is something that has to be decided by the rugby "management". What kind of rugby do they want? Clearly, they want to compete "mano-a-mano" with the Southern powers. They want to play and eventually beat them regularly. They want to be competitive in the S18. Do they have the adequate resources? What is needed? Is a stadium or a few of them something that rugby in Argentina could use? I hate these short ingoals that are classic in soccer fields. How big would they have to be? How many quasi abandoned soccer stadiums are there around? Is it cost effective to modify them? How come the Argentine Soccer federation receives huge subsidies from the government, has an enormous practice complex and why does it need it? Isn't soccer so special? Most stadiums in Argentina are very old, if not decrepit. Only La Plata is relatively new. To add to the difficulties, the country is basically broke and the relationship between Buenos Aires and The "Interior" is strained, to say the least. I do agree that funding the base is the best short term trade-off. But, I am sure that they can figure out how to build or modify some stadiums around the country for rugby use and multiple games, beyond Jaguares and Pumas. And yes, I am a proud Bostero.
Sircoolalot
Guest
Well the Argies like to spread their games around the nation unlike the European teams so I don't think that a national stadium is necessary. However there definitely needs to be renovations for sure, especially if the FA wants to host a world cup or a rugby world cup. Also in time investing in stadiums for local provincial unions/super rugby teams like in NZ could be an option, it would assist in bypassibf political bureaucracy as well one would think.
Bondio
Roar Rookie
Bostero right? And yes.. It's about time, Although with the money you spend in a stadium you can can safely develop another 10 years of steady growth down here. So let it be the "Gallinero" or the "Fortin" for some years to come and invest that money on a world class training facility for Jaguares, Pumas and the next SR team, and 5 second class facilities around the country!
Carlos the Argie in the USA
Guest
It is a disgrace that Argentina still does not have a proper rugby stadium. River Plate, besides being the home stadium for a mediocre and pathetic local team that shows no character when playing (they are called "gallinas" or chickens for a reason) is very old and in poor shape. The grass is bad, the conditions are terrible. It is about time Argentina builds a proper stadium (stadia?) for rugby. It doesn't have to be huge, like Twickers, but rugby deserves better. Relatedly, the Vegas stadium was also embarrassing. The field was a bit narrower, had turf instead of grass, and you could not watch what was going on AT ALL within the 5 meter of the touch line on your side of the field. You had to look at the big TC+V screen. Even if you were in the first 10 rows (we were in the 6th, 7th, and 5th each day). If USA rugby is to grow, they also need to address this. And the have more money than the Argies!