SANZAR announces D-day for Pumas
Thu, 03 Jul 2008 14:48
Argentina are one step closer to being included in a major international tournament, after recent constructive talks between the Argentina Rugby Union (UAR) and SANZAR.
SANZAR (South African, New Zealand and Australian Rugby) officials have met in Wellington over the past two days with representatives from the Union Argentina de Rugby (UAR), as well as Rugby Canada and United States of America (USA) Rugby to discuss expansion options for SANZAR's competitions.
SANZAR and SA Rugby chairman Mpumelelo Tshume, SANZAR CEO and SA Rugby managing director Jonathan Stones, New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) CEO Steve Tew and Australian Rugby Union (ARU) deputy CEO Matt Carroll held talks with UAR Council Member Ricardo Garcia Fernandez and fellow UAR representative Agustin Pichot.
Rugby Canada Chairman Rick Bourne and CEO Graham Brown were the Canadian representatives present, whilst USA Rugby CEO Nigel Melville took part on behalf of North America's rugby interests.
SANZAR managing director, Jonathan Stones, said the discussions had been 'constructive, open and frank'.
"It was very much an information-sharing discussion with all parties. We gave an update on the state of SANZAR rugby at both Super 14 and Tri-Nations level and, in turn, each country presented their capabilities and vision for the future," Stones said.
SANZAR also has meetings scheduled with officials from Japan in Hong Kong later this month, and with the Pacific Island nations of Fiji, Samoa and Tonga.
Mr Stones said information from the meetings would be discussed at the next SANZAR workshop in Perth, Australia, on July 15-17. Potential scenarios for SANZAR's future will be developed in more depth at the meeting.
SANZAR then aims to have a range of proposals to present to broadcasters by no later than June 2009.
