Argentina receive Tri Nations cash boost from IRB

Tuesday 30 March 2010
Published By: David Rawlings
International Rugby > Argentina

Argentina's hopes of entering the southern hemisphere's premier international rugby competition have been given a monetary boost by the IRB.

The side have been keen to enter the Tri Nations and expand it to a four team competition since impressing in the 2007 World Cup, and now their chances look even better after the IRB pledged US$10 million.

According to rugby's international ruling body, the sum will be invested in four instalments of $2.5 million between 2012 and 2015 and will "substantially underwrite the Pumas' entry" into the competition.

The funding is dependent on Argentina making their very best players available for the competition, which was won by South Africa in 2009 after the Springboks registered five victories from six matches.

An IRB council meeting in May will address an amendment to regulation nine, which governs international player availability and has so far been an obstacle for Argentina, as the majority of its top players compete in France's Top 14 competition.

Posted by David Rawlings