Horan backs Argentina move

Tim Horan, the distinguished former Australia centre, has backed a decision to extend Argentina a conditional invitation into the 2012 Tri Nations tournament.

Argentina will get the chance to tackle the southern hemisphere giants as well as England.

Tim Horan, the distinguished former Australia centre, has backed a decision made by SANZAR, the group which runs international competitions in South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, to extend Argentina a conditional invitation into the 2012 Tri Nations tournament.

"It's a great idea," said Horan. "Television revenue dictates the Tri Nations and four teams will obviously drive that on." "Although it's potentially not until 2012, it's great for the tournament. It's a fair way off, but the Tri Nations will need it by then." The former Wallabies player believes Argentina's Tri Nations involvement could open the door to other non-European nations to form an expanded annual competition which could compete against the long-established Six Nations in terms of global prestige and revenue generation.

"It could be similar to the Six Nations, and eventually it would be nice for Japan to make a Five Nations tournament. Asia needs to be involved in terms of maximising television revenues," Horan added. "A Pacific islands team could also be involved. While a combined team will be difficult because of the various cultures, the winner of a Fiji, Tonga and Samoa mini-series could also take part." Argentina's Tri Nations invite is for the 2012 tournament which follows the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand. One of SANZAR's key stipulations is that Argentina, third in the 2007 World Cup, guarantee the participation of their best players in any 'Four Nations' contest.

However, the invite could also give the predominantly European-based Argentine players the opportunity to play in the annual Super rugby tournament, for club teams from the trio of southern hemisphere countries which make up the Tri Nations roster. Horan thinks Argentina's inclusion in the southern hemisphere's leading international and club tournaments will be mutually beneficial to all parties. "Argentina have to show cause. They'll need all their top players available and with 90 per cent of them currently playing in Europe, some will need to play in the expanded Super 15s. It all depends on whether they get the players," said Horan. Eddie Jones, the former Australia coach, reiterated the key issue of availability.

"The [Four Nations] will be between two seasons and it could affect players' chances of playing in Europe. English clubs could lose their players for two months and it will definitely affect their attractiveness," Jones said. Horan feels those players unwanted by European clubs will have plenty of potential Super team suitors. "It could also benefit the Australian and New Zealand domestic leagues to have the best Argentina players available," he said.

"Australia is getting a fifth team for the Super from 2011 and with a relaxing of the rules regarding foreign players widely expected, I'm sure the proposed new Melbourne club will look at Argentina players." @Email:[e-mail]