I can’t speak for Miotti in terms of whether he can handle the pressure or not. But the Jaguares seem to trust in him as he’s starting at 10 again vs the Stormers on Saturday.

You are right when you say there are other stories in Argentine rugby that could be written about but I chose to write about Miotti as I was struck at how he had emerged onto the scene.

Nobrain – I understand your points, especially regarding professionalism in Argentine rugby being a new thing, but I just thought an emergence of a player coinciding in a team’s uptick in form was worth looking at.

Has 4 caps for England. Played against South Africa back in 2012 where he felt the full force of Ryan Kankowski.

Thanks, RobC.

Midfield has always been a issue since Tuilagi got injured prior to the June tests. Finding the right combinations in centre has been such a issue because of injuries and chopping/changing.

I should have mentioned Armitage being a possible call up to replace Ben Morgan but playing in Toulon hurts his international prospects despite being awarded Europe’s best player. Feel Exeter Chiefs Thomas Waldrom will get picked and deserveldy so.

On the mention of Ciprani he has played really well for Sale but he’s battling for England’s 3rd fly half spot with Northampton’s Stephen Myler. Though Cipriani provides unpredictable excitement and flair Lancaster likes Myler for his reliability in terms of his tactical kicking and goal kicking. One thing is for sure – if Cipriani is left out of the England 6N or RWC squad he’ll leave for Toulon.

Yeah the weather was a factor in all of those games. Now you know what it’s like watching northern hemisphere rugby in the winter with the rain and mud. Though sometimes a game of rugby can break out in atrocious weather.

I am interested in Pollard & De Allende for the Springboks – can both make claims to the World Cup squad if they do well especially in the case of Pollard after Morne Steyn’s woes at Stade Francais.

Fekitoa is certainly the heir to Conrad Smith seeing he was explosive last season. While Cane/Todd are good replacements for McCaw though not many can replace the legendary No.7.

For Australia I am interested in Nathan Charles and how he copes at hooker with Polota-Nau and Moore injured. He will find it difficult against the Springboks and Pumas come scrum time if Polota-Nau/Moore not fit by then.

As for the Pumas you will see a change under Hourcade. With Phelan they were conservative and relied on their pack mostly, which was limited and did not work if the pack did not establish authority. But now Hourcade is adopting an attacking thesis – they are willing to play a quick tap penalty on their own 22 merely 10 minutes into the game! Plus they have several youngsters coming up in the backs and forwards – i.e those under 24.

I wanted to see Heyenke Meyer’s face when he realized he had to travel a further 900km north of Buenos Aires. Salta is a hostile place – as hostile as when Super Rugby teams visit Buenos Aires in 2016.

I do like the Pumas under Hourcade – really looking to attack with confidence and from different places. Back three have teeth, as well as added depth. One win in the Rugby Championship would really add confidence.

Well May 31st is the Top 14 final between Toulon & Castres while Toulon play Saracens from the Heineken Cup final on the 24th.

It could be that Saint Andre might decide not to play Toulon or Castres players in the first Test at Brisbane on June 7th which means Michalak could start – a sight that just highlights the unpredictability of French rugby. It hasn’t been confirmed whether Toulon or Castres players won’t start in the 1st Test so it could be they might or be benched so to get some rest. But I guess we have to see Saint Andre’s starting XV and replacement for the game at Brisbane.

But here is the updated 31 man squad as of a few days ago seeing France lost Clermont’s Benjamin Kayser due to injury leaving them with inexperienced players at hooker.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-05-20/mach-into-france-squad-for-australia-test-series/5464266

It is a bit of dilemma. I think if players have ancestry that allows them to play for another country then that would be fair enough. I think residency is different though in the case of players such as Sergio Parisse (born in Argentina yet went to Italy as a youngster) it is different.

But those are the rules set by the IRB and followed. I can understand why some will look at Steve Hansen’s comments with a pinch of salt though. As for Kockott if he does miss the June tour it is likely he will be in for the autumn international squad if he keeps up his good form for Castres.

Weird how the Cheetahs played because last season they were really good away. It was actually the Stormers that traveled really badly last season and continued that this season in their loss to the Lions last week.

But I am pleased to see the Rebels do well. McGahan is building something good at the Rebels. I would love to see him well – maybe do what the Cheetahs do last season but that’s an outside bet but could do it next season.

If the Tahs fans do not like your loud enthuisatic support for the Tahs they will nit like it when Argentina come to Super Rugby – flares, ticker tape, confetti, trumpets, drums – the works.

But a good read and Tahs fans just need to be grateful of what they have in Israel Folau as well as Kurtley Beale.

Good read, Adam.

In regards to your Pacific Islands question – Scotland toured Samoa/Fiji back in 2012 and I know Italy are touring Fiji this summer which is a nice touch.

But as a fan of Argentine rugby it is a good decision by SANZAR. The country already has a good level of depth already in terms of the players coming from U20 level. Going to Argentina will not be a easy proposition for clubs especially if the UAR are able to fill in a stadium in Buenos Aires (likely to be Velez Sarsfield’s) and should be great to watch.

As for South Africa it seems the inclusion of a sixth franchise (likely to be the Kings) is a result of commerical power in terms of what South Africa bring to Super Rugby financially and in marketing terms. Notably when “rumours” came of South Africa looking into Europe coupled with Sharks CEO John Smit saying Springbok club games against European teams is the future. Probably gave SANZAR the jolt to include a sixth team. Though the Cheetahs have clicked into gear recently last year with that excellent run to the playoffs.

But pleased for Argentina to get a team – culminating in 7 years of hard work ever since they reached that semi final of the World Cup. Were it not for that acheivement they would not be where they were now.

Agreed the Waratahs are under pressure also to perform. Have recruited deeply and talk of being their best team in a long while (when have we heard that before) meaning the weights are truly upon their shoulders to perform.

I still think they will come up short in the playoffs despite the efforts of Israel Folau.

No running rugby I most fear. It will be more like old school muddy rugby if the rains truly lash the city of Sydney.

Drotske was not impressed with his Cheetahs side. Crucial missed kicks by Watts when he replaced Goosen and failed to seal the game. Slender leads are never safe especially when the Lions have a fly half in Boshoff kicking penalties with ease like Leigh Halfpenny and drop goals like Jannie De Beer.

It’s all about marketing and getting your product across. I don’t live in Australia but from what I hear NRL & AFL are quite big because they have massive marketing campaigns. When you have players such as SBW & Sam Burgess (prior to moving to Bath) it brings the money in. Though I still hope rugby union can do their own World Club Cup with the winner of Super Rugby & the Heineken Cup meeting each other. Would be great.

But to your original point, Bernie. You are right. The Force have to be competitive and though this is the most competitive Australian conference in a long while the Force are tipped to finish bottom. The Rebels have done well in getting Ellison from the Highlanders and have done excellently in pre-season. I hope Kyle Godwin shines. Such a exciting player to watch though wonder if he will play at 10 – rather prefer him at 12.

Sadly the underrated never get noticed. But being the captain means Foley obviously trusts him. Hope he and the Force proves us wrong and have a improved season from last year.

Which was great by Ackerman. Take the pressure away and play their own game – dare I say it with a smile on their face! But the win against the Cheetahs was brilliant to watch. I was impressed by their determined resilience and beating the Cheetahs at Bloemfontein is always a good result.

Also I would say the win will help in terms of interest in Jo’burg as they will probably have a decent crowd in (or big) for their next home game. Though I have no team I truly support (saving that for Argentina if they get into SR) I am warming to the Lions for their spirit and never say die mantra. Loved Ackerman and his staff embracing each other after the final whistle blew.

The Lions were really good. Showed great tenacity and never gave up. Boshoff was brilliant and the Lions know they have a player who will kick most of his goals presented to him. When you have that then you are always in with a chance.

The Lions doing well will put pressure on the Force and Rebels to perform well this season.

To be fair Pulver has walked into a tornado as the financial issues hurting Australian rugby is not his fault. He is giving it a go and the NRC is an attempt to try and improve things. Whether it will work is another matter but he has got ideas + worked with the RUPA (you are right rugbyfan kudos to the RUPA) and making cost effective measures. Though the ARU have thrown money away in the past at least Pulver is trying to make sure the ARU lives within its means.

The only thing I have not agreed with him is the $200 levy – there are better ways to raise money without hurting your development teams at a grassroots level.

So Hoy do you think in 2015 when the TV rights are up for negotiation a shared Fox Sports/FTA network Super Rugby rights deal will help increase exposure + help the ARU?

Apologies – the perils of currency when switching from US, ARU dollars and £ sterling. But you are right regarding FTA – the potential if it’s on FTA is endless. Look at the Six Nations where in the UK and I think France is shown on FTA television and gets good ratings. In Italy I think it’s pay TV but their first game of the 2014 Six Nations against Wales recorded their highest TV audience for a rugby game.

I agree a shared Fox Sports/FTA TV rights deal would be good. The ARU need to buck up.

Logistically it sounds and looks hellish. But SANZAR knew what they were in for when Argentina were admitted in the Rugby Championship in 2012 with talk back then of having a Argentine Super Rugby side within 5-10 years.

From what I have heard it will happen.

No, I don’t. But I do know one of their two clubs Treviso is pulling out of the Pro 12 because of the uncertain future within the league what with the Welsh regions civil war with their union – the WRU. The Italian union (FIR) were paying £3 million to participate in the competition. But Treviso could change their mind if the European club situation is resolved which could happen – or not.

That levy is quite a negative step and as Connolly said in my article will merely serve to hinder the development of rugby among the grassroots level. As you said there are other sporting options such as rugby league where the NRL has risen in the last few years.

Rugby union is seen as a bit elitist but it needs to include all walks of life to gain attraction – showing games on FTA television is a start. I mean showing Wallabies games on FTA is good but viewers will only tune in to watch the Wallabies if they are in good form.