Is Agustin Pichot the man to save rugby globally?

This is a nonsensical statement, Nuissance. I used Trumpian as in far away from reality. As a complete fabrication not based on facts but stated forcefully. Clearly, you can have opinions. But you cannot also have your own facts. That is a Trumpian issue too. I never mentioned politics here. There seems to be a chip on your shoulder by bringing it up. As Nobrain indicated, and also I did, it is clear that you don't know the situation in Argentina. So focus your criticisms and opinions on how they play and not not he background. And interestingly, Nobrain and I don't always agree on the interpretation of facts. That is, we have different opinions.

Of course yo are free to comment on whatever you want, but I actually respect more the opinions of the people that I beleive have more accurate and objective opinions in any matter. The beauty of this site, imo, is that people that are closer to different events gives me a better look of things, and sometimes people that are far away gives a perspective or angle that I have not thought about it. However your opinion in this matter and the way you express it is obvious that you have no clue of what you are talking about and I felt the need to put that into perspective so people that read your comment can decide or make their minds on who to beleive or make more sense to beleive in this particular matter. For me it is hard to have a clear opinion on how the ABs , Wallabies, Boks, or other countries conuct their business and I have the tendency of asking questions instead of come out and give facts and opinions on matters that I am not that familiar with. Talk is cheap and so is writing here.

I agree Tman. Too much emotion here. For what it's worth I am saddened and my thoughts are with all of New Zealand.

Well actually, I believe he wasnt from our society, but anyway, I digress, too sensitive a subject around here at the moment. Not good no matter how one views it.

Heres how I think it works for Argentina at World cup time. In between World cups Argies resources are stretched so thinly that they struggle to raise the consistency of their game to push their ranking higher. I think they give their all in the Rugby nations which is why the south are generally impressed. If you look at their results against the northern sides that visit, they generally do poorly. In short, the north generally refuse to believe Argentina is a genuine threat to them and at world cup time can get complacent. That will happen again this year, and it certainly happened in 2015. Even with the Irish injuries, no way should they have been completely out of the contest within thirty minutes. Yet theyll cite an anomoly, injuries, a one off. And come World cup time, with good prep in a shortened RC and a so far very good Jaguares effort, theyll ‘surprise’ again. SH sides are simply not at their best between world cups. Northern sides are. And for me, that creates the notion that upsets occur...when they actually havent. ????

So Trump is responsible. Look at your own societies for answers. That's where those animals came from.

Todays shooter admires Donald Trump too. ...just sayin...

So only Carlos and Nobrain can comment on Argentinian Rugby. Unless I am complimentary I should shut up. I expressed an opinion and unless I am mistaken this is a sports opinion site. Whether you agree or not whether I am incorrect or not there are ways to put forward your own point of view without being insulting. Should the editors now structure filters that only allow us to agree with one another. At no stage was I malicious and would sincerely appreciate reciprocation. I can for example say that I admire Donald Trump. Is that politically incorrect here. Or am I to be branded for it. He is the only World leader to have the courage to publicly express concern for the increasingly precarious situation my people find themselves in here in South Africa. I know that will get a response from Carlos.Just read his first response to me. Have a good day.

What if Los Pumas do not make it this year? It would be a failure loosing to England and France? I think you do not know enough about rugby in Argentina and are amking assuptions

big move today by the cvc! throwing the proverbial cat among the pigeons.

So we judge ireland and england on their world cups? Why are they even in the discussion then? At least Argie fronted last time out. So they have already been judged, and have been found to be successful. Anyone that performs that much above their ranking is.

Meanwhile World Rugby has presented a slightly revised format on their web-site today, the only difference between a slightly reduced tier 2 competition. Everything else, including promotion-relegation, remains the same. & this comes after all their crucial meetings this week, suggesting they're intent on pushing it through.

Sounds like SA, and I havent been there either but despite all that, the Pumas IMO are going to struggle without outside resources because globally everyones doing it. Teams cant stand up on their own anymore, and Oz, SA and Argie tend to rely on home grown talent, much of which are playing more and more overseas in baabaa type clubset ups, so it confuses the international game, and compromises their ability to put sides into the test arena. NZ is able to self sustain simply because we have such a sound local structure at all levels of the game, and less distractions of the type you mention. Still think Argie will struggle on that basis. The north is syphoning off and hiding SH talent from the test arena in increasing numbers.

T-Man, The issue for Argentina, as Nobrain has also said it many times, is the internal structures. Local rugby is quite good. The amateur sport does very well, the matches are intense, the skill level is good, the fans are very involved. It is the management of rugby that is paralyzed in a pre-95 situation. Also, the political and economic situation of the country makes it very difficult to advance. There's always some new chaotic situation to handle or disrupt everything. It drives me crazy that people write without knowing. I wonder if he ever went to Argentina, if he ever attended a local rugby match...

Yes agree Carlos, and some of Argentinas rugby last year was as good as itgets, Sanchez, Bofili etc stunning in their space finding efforts. They always look like theyre ready to join the top ranks but keep falling short when it comes to the final hurdle. I think at WCup time Oz, Boks and Argie will get a ‘boost’ over their NH counterparts who are really what you see are what youll get. The SH sides stunned the north last world cup at quarter time and I think will again, in such a way that again heads will be scratching…’we didnt expect that, they didnt play like that last two years!’ Argentina rugby lives in the real rugby world, they just dont have that all round sustaining resource to push into the top rung yet but in terms of talent across individuals they have that in spades. They just need to find that secret of what it takes to close out 2 or three close matches. The refreshing thing is they dont bolster their sides with imports in a way the northern sides do, the Island players providing most of the edge their game has been missing, and that keeps them, like SA, unique in their involvement. Argie rugby is played by Argentinians and long my that last. Unfortunately, that may just continue to be their issue with other sides adopting outsiders more readily these days. I mean look at the NH midfields, practically every side has a PI doing the tough work through the middle.

What do you know about Argentina? This is preposterous. Keyboards in dangerous hands.

Yes Wingman. Certainly The Boks do prioritize the World Cup over anything else. They are pretty obvious in that. And yes Italy has not moved forward. I remain adamant under pressure that Argentina is not served well under the current order. I doubt this year they will make the knockouts.

Correction: As for Italy, their second decade of 6 Nations has NOTfulfilled the promise of their first

Sorry, by the time I saw this most of the points had already been answered by Glen & co, and they did a pretty thorough job of it too. Argentina and Japan both had outstanding World Cups in 2015. Argentina tends to fade a bit between World Cups, as do the Aussies and Saffas these days, but when it comes to the big event itself they tend to be surprisingly good. That suggests everything in between is just part of the ongoing rebuilding process and that seems to be the way things are going these days. As for Italy, their second decade of 6 Nations has fulfilled the promise of their first, granted, but they are still are far better and more consistent side than they were prior to their admission. As recently as the 99 World Cup, in fact, they conceded a ton to the All Blacks and lost to Tonga. Not long before that they were playing second fiddle to Romania in European competition. Also, they do seem to be having more and more success at club and age-grade level, so let's see what the 2020s bring. It took France about two decades to get up to speed in the 5 Nations, after all.

As you say, Lavanini COULD play the game. Ledesma last year, and Quesada this year have almost completely tamed his thuggishness, but he couldn't hold himself and did a silly YC the previous week. You never know with him! SR has done very well for professional rugby in Argentina. But, as is the case with "messy" countries, they can't manage to have a proper setting internally. Nobrain and myself have discussed the border between amateur internal rugby and pro many times. The politics between URBA and the "interior" many times....