Press Releases
Visa Rugby Legends Call on Rugby's Senior Unions to Assist Argentina
"We need the likes of Argentina playing on a worldwide basis."SAN FRANCISCO, 19 MARCH 2007
Following the conclusion of the RBS Six Nations Championship, the Visa Rugby Legends have challenged the world's senior rugby unions to work with the International Rugby Board to find a solution to assist Argentina in its quest to play in an annual high level competition. It appears there is a growing consensus to involve Argentina in such a competition and the Visa Rugby Legends hope the senior rugby unions will do everything they can to make it happen, especially as discussions are underway.
Two decades after the first Rugby World Cup, the Visa Rugby Legends, Zinzan Brooke (New Zealand), John Eales (Australia), Martin Johnson (England), Philippe Sella (France) and Joel Stransky (South Africa), believe that efforts need to be made to help integrate Argentina's national side, the Pumas, into a major annual competition.
Since the 1999 Rugby World Cup in Wales, where Argentina reached the Quarter Finals, the Pumas have threatened to cause a major upset on the world stage. Their November victory over England at Twickenham last year affirmed this and All Black legend Zinzan Brooke believes they could go further, "Argentina are a good side and could cause an upset at this year's Rugby World Cup," he noted.
The Visa Rugby Legends also acknowledge that Argentina has to play its part in the process by modernising its structures to ensure it remains a top level union in the future. The IRB is already providing strategic investment funding to the Union for high performance and development initiatives.
England's Rugby World Cup winning captain, Martin Johnson, added, "Argentina are rediscovering their form and if we can get Argentina into a semi-final or even a final it can only help to grow the game and the profile of the Rugby World Cup across Argentina and South America."
John Eales, two -time Rugby World Cup winner, championed Argentina's cause as well, noting that "Argentina is particularly impressive given that it is the only side among the Tier 1 nations that does not receive regular competition, yet is able to achieve a high standard; it's outstanding."
Argentina's impressive home and away victories over England, France, Italy, Wales and Scotland in recent months have shown that Argentina can contend at rugby's highest levels. Yet continued success, an opportunity to win at future Rugby World Cups, and the prospect of continued rugby growth in South America all hinge on Argentina's ability to compete with world class opponents on a more regular basis, according to these rugby greats.
Eales added that he would be disappointed if Argentina were to play in the RBS Six Nations Championship instead of the Tri-Nations, and with the number of fixtures being extended in 2006 there is scope to include Argentina in a four-nation series. "I would love to see Argentina join Australia, New Zealand and South Africa and extend the Tri-Nations. All three teams play in their own unique styles and it would bring so much to the tournament if Argentina joined and added their exciting rugby to the mix."
As international rugby teams prepare for the start of the sixth Rugby World Cup this September in France, many of the leading contenders will have benefited from regular competition in the form of the RBS Six Nations Championship or the Tri-Nations Series. However, despite Argentina entering the 2007 Rugby World Cup with a genuine opportunity of success, it will not enjoy a similar wealth of preparation and this can only hinder its chance to progress in the opinion of these great rugby players.
Following the conclusion of the RBS Six Nations Championship, French rugby legend, Philippe Sella believes that Argentina could well be a possible addition to the tournament especially since many Argentinean players already play in Europe. "I really like what I see from these Argentinean players in the European leagues." Philippe noted. "They have made significant progress in recent years and with so many playing in Europe, perhaps Argentina should make the Six Nations 'Seven' or integrate into the Tri-Nations, given the scheduling challenges presented by the Six Nations. They certainly deserve the opportunity."
While neither option is ideal -- the RBS Six Nations Championship does pose logistical problems and the Tri-Nations impacts player welfare due to the shortened rest periods for European-based players -- all the Visa Rugby Legends agreed that the Argentinean players deserve the opportunity. Despite the logistical and scheduling factors, they believe that the addition of Argentina in a regularly scheduled global competition needs to be resolved for the growth, development and health of the game globally.
The Visa Rugby Legends called on rugby's leading nations to address the issue, remarking that they had important decisions to make and that the International Rugby Board (IRB) could be the facilitator in finding a solution to the matter. South African Rugby World Cup winner Joel Stransky summed up the group's feelings, "We all want to see rugby grow globally, and even in the future be able to rival soccer as a global sport. For that we need the smaller countries to be stronger; and the major nations to support them. We need the likes of Argentina playing on a worldwide basis."
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Note to Editors:
About Visa: Visa connects cardholders, merchants and financial institutions through the world's largest electronic payments network. Visa products allow buyers and sellers to conduct commerce with ease and confidence in both the physical and virtual worlds. Visa is committed to the sustained growth of electronic payment systems to support the needs of all stakeholders and to drive economic growth. Visa products currently generate more than $4 trillion in sales volume worldwide. Visa enjoys unsurpassed acceptance around the world. In addition, Visa/Plus is one of the world's largest global ATM networks, offering cash access in local currency in over 170 countries. For more information, visit www.corporate.visa.com.
About Visa Rugby Legends: Visa is proud to continue its eleven-year partnership with rugby's foremost tournament, Rugby World Cup 2007 (RWC 2007) in France, as an Official Worldwide Partner of Rugby World Cup 2007. Visa began its global sponsorship at RWC 1995 in South Africa, and continued its association through RWC 1999 in Wales and RWC 2003 in Australia. Visa is delighted to be joined in its sponsorship by five unique players, four of whom are Rugby World Cup winners, including two Rugby World Cup winning captains, and "legends" of the sport. These five great players are working with Visa as its rugby spokesmen to bring their passion and insight to rugby fans worldwide. They are: Zinzan Brooke (New Zealand), John Eales (Australia), Martin Johnson (England), Philippe Sella (France) and Joel Stransky (South Africa).
Argentina Rugby: Visa has been the sponsor of the Argentina national rugby team, the Pumas, since 1996. It was the first company to support the national squad rugby when the Argentina Rugby Union approved marketing sponsorship licenses for its teams.
For further information on Visa’s Rugby World Cup sponsorship, please contact Michael Sherman, Visa International, at Tel: +1 650 432 3923, globalmedia@visa.com or Sabine Middlemass Visa International, at Tel: +1 650 432 8307, globalmedia@visa.com or Roz Barder, Visa Europe in London, at Tel: +44 20 7795 5336, barderr@visa.com.
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