Do you think it's time for minnow Rugby Nations like Argentina,Fiji,Tonga,and Samoa to join the Tri-Nation?

Question

If it's not ....then i personally view that as racist.

Answer 1

Not the Tri Nations, but a bit more type around the Pacific Island cup would attract more attention and the countries would flourish. As for the old Argentina debate, they are still in  a bit of a hole, they cannot play in the souther hemisphere competition cause 90% of their players play in Europe (mostly France) the European season is different times of the year from the Southern Hemisphere, Clubs would not release some of there best players for so long. As for the 6 nations that would be a bit more manageable for the European players with a stadium in Spain....but that defeats the idea of the 6 ntaions promoting the top "EUROPEAN" countires, Italy worked hard to make it but Argentina are South American!

The only thing that they can do for Argentina is to pump the funds into a competition for Arg, USA and Canada, Argentina are good but USA and Canada need more work.....

the Tri Nations would destroy all confidence in any of the minnows, sure they were fantastic teams in the world cup when they had all to play for and nothing to loses and FIji were amazing but the World Cup is a special time and players give it 110% when they play cause it is a once in a lifetime opportunity, but a yearly Tri nations would be too much, Tonga Fiji & Samoa play against the All Black Juniors in the Pacific cup and still get beaten what do you think the real All Blacks would do to them.......do not think that Australia and New Zealand have fallen from grace they will bounce back stronger than ever again, and South Africa are world champions (thats no small feat) they were written off for years.

In the end its just not physically possible to ask the players to play 12 months a year, Argentina, samoa, tonga and Fiji all have a lot of players playing in Europe, to play the Tri nations or what you are suggesting is aksing them to finish their competitions in Europe and then play every year during their rest period in an international competition, its not racist its fact!

What they should look towards is a second tier world cup for all the teams that didnt make it, having a lower standard of world cup the year before the main world cup and pick the semi-finalists to make up the minnows it would really give the likes of Goergia or Romania and Portugal the chance of confidence and win some silver ware....the system they have in place at the moment is terrible, Ireland and Wales will now have to qualify for the next world cup (no boubt they will) but both will destroy any weaker team.....therefore some of the good minnows will have to lose out in four years.

Answer 2

With Fiji, Tonga & Samoa the answer is no. They are simply not good enough to be competitive with NZ, Aussie or SA. They also lack the internal infrastructure (they have the Pacific Nations cup which is a good development competition for them which sees them play NZ & Aussie B sides.

With Argentina yes. They deserve a spot and deserved one prior to the world cup.

Answer 3

Can't add much to Patron's excellent post.

Re Argentina - there is little logic in joining Tri- N. Geographically they are not much nearer their opponents that the 6N.

There has been a lot of talk around here of 6N entry because their players are mostly based in Europe and they would use Spain as their base. Can you imagine trips to Madrid for the Rugby - superb! I went to Rome earlier this year and that is a great away fixture, Madrid would be popular too.

But, fixture congestion is the big stummbling block. There is not room for 7N without real changes?

Let's watch this space but either way Argentina have earned the right to join one of the big annual tournaments.

Answer 4

I wouldn't call it racitst, but anyway.

Yes, I think it is time for a Six or Seven Nations, that will definately include Argentina, Tonga and Fiji; possibly Samoa. Especially Fiji and Argentina showed in this past world cup that they can no longer be ignored.

Answer 5

I total agree with Patron. I couldn’t have written it better, but I would add regarding the Pacific Island teams, it all comes down to finance.

And with the statement regarding pumping funds into a competition for Argentina, USA and Canada. I would add Japan in there as well.

Answer 6

argentina aren't the third best team in the world

they just finished third in the world cup

new zealand got knocked out in the quater finals (hahahahahahaha) but they are still the best team in the world

Answer 7

Argentina a minnow?! you must not be an aussie.

Josh: check the rankings again:

1) South africa.

2) New zealand.

3) Argentina.

4) Who cares? I think its England.

Answer 8

Argentina yes but Tonga Fiji Samoa not yet. most of their players play in the northern Hampshire so would still be play come tri-nations time. sorry not racist just logical.

Answer 9

I don't personally think its racist but you do have a good point there. If you watched the rugby world cup 2007 which i thought new zealand should of beat france, england and south africa to win because new zealand are the best rugby team ever anyway lets get back to the point. Argentina and Fiji i thought did brilliant because they showed that just because there not as big as the usual teams that make it to the final but they made themselves heard with fiji beating wales and argentina beating ireland and scotland. Also i think they should put the other countries you mentioned in aswell, they didn't do that well but if you put them in with the big boys there teams will grow and one day just maybe one day a team like samoa and tonga could win the rugby world cup.

Answer 10

Yes, it is definitely time to include Argentina. If they are not included in the Tri-nations because of the deeply ingrained conservatism of the other three countries' rugby authorities then they should be included in the Six Nations. That way the European countries will get the benefit of playing against tougher opposition and hopefully improve.