How disappointing is the Argentinian Rugby Union ?

Question

http://nz.sports.yahoo.com/080105/10/3hy0.html

Answer 1

"While Argentina is a southern hemisphere nation, entry in a new-look Sanzar Four-nations tournament would mean the majority of their star European-based players would be unavailable."

What??  And didn't the IRB explicitly say at that conference that Argentina's international future lay in the Southern Hemisphere?    Typical Tri-nations journalistic bias.

Answer 2

The pressure is on, they can´t not join forever. So relax, just a matter of time.

Answer 3

I don't understand this.  The Tri-Nations runs from mid-June to mid-July (the extra travel of adding Argentina might require it to be lengthened a bit).  The Guinness Premiership finals are in May.  The Heinekin, European Challenge Cup, Italy's Super 10, and the Magners League all end in May.

So how is it that playing rugby professionally during the European season does not permit a Puma to return home during the northern summer?  How is that logical?  If the Tri-Nations was held in April, it would make sense.  Sorry, but this is ridiculous.

Of course France's league goes a bit longer, but surely that can be worked around.

EDIT:  Yes, I read the article, and what I really don't understand is why the Argentine Rugby Union requires that their Pumas be based domestically for that competition.

As to the professional aspect, you can't necessarily create a professional league out of thin air.  Rugby is certainly popular in Argentina, but is it popular enough to support hundreds of full-time players?  Will there really be enough paying spectators and television viewers?