Hats off to Argentina?

Question

How they got 15+ young Latin American men together to get as far as giving South Africa a good game in the Quarters is a miracle/mystery. (Both?)

I am a South African living in Bogotá, Colombia, and in this part of South America soccer is King, Queen and the Royal household (including pets).

Rugby is played by some universities where women's team play nearly as well as the men's, and the latter could be classed as an (below) average 3rd division team at best.

If Argentina is ANYTHING like Colombia, (after all, they speak the same language, and I don't for a minute doubt that Argentina is any less 'soccer mad' than Colombia)

HAT'S OFF to the Pumas!

I reckon their achievement is equivalent to countries like Iraq, Sierra Leone or Wales reaching the Soccer World Cup quarters.

Wow!

Any Argentinians out there?

How popular is rugby in your country?

Why?

Tell us, please.

Answer 1

Jojo's answer is right, many players play overseas to their homeland. One of the the strongest teams (possibly) in the UK is the London Irish who used to play at Deer Park near Richmond Upon Thames. They have Argentina players.

Answer 2

Argie here. Que haces che? Todo bien?

I don't know why, but in the last four years (mainly in the last year) Rugby had gained a lot of popularity. It is played more than soccer between young people since soccer is not so exiting anymore as it has been played a lot by our parents (this does not means we don't like watching soccer anymore). Rugby is something a little new here, and now that the pumas got so far, it's popularity will continue to grow and could even begin to be played by the grown ups.

Answer 3

im from Argentina and i gotta say rugby isnt popular at all.. people started to watch it once los pumas went this far but soccer is the main sport and i think it will remain like this

Answer 4

It's not only a question of popularity in the country, as you have to see how many players actually play in Europe. Hernandez, Comtepomi's brothers, Borges, Pichot, Roncero, Corleto, and many others, these are known names in France!

Paris wouldn't be Paris without Hernandez!

Answer 5

In Argentina rugby is a secondary sport, mainly played at an amateur level. Originally was played at English and Scottish private schools located in the northern Buenos Aires but all over the country now through amateur clubs but it is mainly a mid class sport in contrast to football (soccer) which is played by .....everybody.

Many of the players, when they get to a Puma level they are offered contracts overseas and become professionals. Years ago that would mean that they could no longer play for the Pumas as the amateur policy was strictly enforced.

This policy has changed and that is one of the reasons why they have improved so much.

But rugby has been played for many years in Argentina, and rugby was probably more popular in the 70s and 80s than now.

In the last 35 years Argentina has beaten almost all the major teams one time or another and entered the Word Cup ranked 4th in the World.

Don't take me wrong, but Argentina and Colombia are as similar as South Africa and Canada. Common language, former Spanish colonies but many ethnic and cultural differences.

Answer 6

Rugby is still amateur here, and shadowed by football soccer. However, ve have several organizations like the URBA (Rugby Union of Buenos Aires), where a lot of teams, including mine, play.

Rugby is winning popularity over time, and due to our "getting into the bandwagon" behaviour, after this world cup, a lot of young players started Rugby.

Proximo mundial, la copa sera de Los Pumas!