Tri-Nations
Pumas on course for Tri-Nations
Scrum.com
March 9, 2010
Bernard Lapasset, head of the French rugby union federation, holds a press conference prior to the rugby union World Cup third place final match France vs. Argentina at the Parc des Princes in Paris on October 19, 2007
IRB chairman Bernard Lapasset has confirmed funding for Argentina's move into the Tri-Nations © Getty Images
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Argentina will take their place in the Tri-Nations from 2012 after the IRB confirmed a vital funding package for the move.

IRB chairman Bernard Lapasset confirmed that the IRB would support Argentina's initial introduction to the tournament with a one-off financial injection of US$2m. The agreement must now be ratified by the IRB's executive council, removing the final roadblock to the proposal.

"It is done," Lapasset said at the Global Sports Forum in Barcelona. "The principle is to support the cost of the introduction of Argentina into the Tri Nations. It will be a one-off payment of around US$2m. The principle is agreed, and we just need the IRB Council to confirm at the next meeting [scheduled for May 12].

"It will be done so Argentina can enter in 2012. We have an agreement with South Africa, New Zealand and Australia for the financial programme that is now in place, and the three existing nations are supportive."

In September 2009, SANZAR, the board representing the existing Tri Nations teams, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, tabled a conditional invitation to Argentina to join the competition. The move was prompted by the Pumas' third-place finish at the 2007 Rugby World Cup and the main challenges awaiting them will be logistical.

"The challenge now is to organise the travel arrangements between the countries," Lapasset said. "However, it is fantastic. It started with the World Cup in 2007 and we realised the importance of creating a symbol in South America. It will help to build professionalism within Argentinian rugby."

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