Huge support for Jaguars in New Zealand to return to Super Rugby: “It got away from us”

The Argentina Rugby Union (UAR) Jaguars had a chance to return to Super Rugby. In that sense, From New Zealand they surprised the rugby world by backing the Argentine franchise back Because of the crisis facing the Australian team.

The timelines have been dizzyingly accelerated in the lead-up to bringing Argentina rugby together. The financial crisis the Rebels are experiencing could lead to bankruptcy, with $20 million in debt. Super Rugby Pacific directors began looking for possible replacements. Although they were already considering the idea of ​​Argentina joining in 2026 with a new TV sponsorship deal, the problem with the Australian franchise opened the door for the UAR and several protagonists were vocal about it.

Support in New Zealand for Jaguares return to Super Rugby Pacific

In an interview to the media material, CEO of the New Zealand Hurricanes franchise, Ava Lee, South African teams were discussed withdrawing from the tournament, as happened with Argentina. “We may have missed the target with South Africa and we miss them. The tours were tough, but on the other hand, the players realized how much they enjoyed those tours.”

However, he later placed special emphasis on the prospect of the Jaguars playing in the elite competition again: “If the Argentine team wants to come back, naturally we will welcome it. This will be good for fans and competitors alike. “We need to discuss the travel and match schedule.”

The Jaguars left a great memory in the tournament which was played between 2016 and 2020, in which it stopped participating due to the Covid pandemic and strong demonetisation of the tournament. The Wellington CEO's opinion was joined by other New Zealand voices in favor of reintegrating the Argentine franchise not only for its sport, but also for the economic benefits its inclusion has brought over the years.

Finally, Lee sent a message to the Rebels about the tough time they are going through and the uncertainty of whether they will continue in the Super Rugby Pacific series: “It's obviously a tough time for them and we're sorry. Rugby Australia “no problem for 2024, but the Rebels will be fine for 2025. We believe so,” they assured us.

Las Pumas: Contebomi's first list of France and Rugby Championship thinkers

Pumas They have started focusing on the 2024 calendar with important objectives and messages. Brand New Coach, Felipe Cantepomi, Announced the first 31-man roster for the camp in London in MarchIt kicks off the next four-year cycle ahead of the July international window and the Rugby Championship.

Five months have passed since the Argentina rugby team was last together, after finishing fourth at the 2023 World Cup in France. Between March 11 and 13, the Argentine Rugby Union (UAR) reached an agreement to host the Puma camp. In England's capital, it will serve as the team's first meeting in the new process with a view to the 2027 World Cup.

The idea behind the meeting in London was beyond the fact that the Pumas will play their first Test match of the year in our country against France on July 6. Players begin to familiarize themselves with the coach's ideas and pillars of the program. Starting in the second half of the year, Argentina has 12 games, including the first window, the Rugby Championship and the September window.

Regarding the group meeting, the UAR revealed Kantepomi's message: “This meeting is a good opportunity to meet each other again., after what an intense last year. Although monitoring and communication with the players was never interrupted, the aim was to get back together to review everything that had been done in the last two years. See where we are going and how we can improve as the new World Cup cycle begins.”

List of 31 Pumas players in London camp

• Albornoz, Tomas.
• Alemanno, Matthias.
• BAZÁN VÉLEZ, Lautaro.
• Bello, Eduardo.
• Bertrano, Gonzalo.
• Boffelli, Emiliano.
• Bruni, Rodrigo.
• Carreras, Mateo.
• Carreras, Santiago.
• Socopares, Santiago.
• CINTI, Lucio.
• Cordero, Santiago.
• DE LA FUENTE, GERONIMO.
• DELGUY, Bautista.
• Gallo, Thomas.
• GONZÁLEZ, JUAN MARTIN.
• Crondona, Santiago.
• KREMER, MARCOS.
• Lavanini, Thomas.
• Malla, Juan Cruz.
• Molina, Franco.
• Montoya, Julian.
• Moroni, Matthias.
• OVIEDO, JOAQUIN.
• Box, Guido.
• Rubiolo, Pedro.
• RUIZ, Ignacio.
• Sclavy, Joel.
• Sortoni, Lucio.
• TETAZ CHAPARRO, Nahuel.
• Vivas, Mayo.

PUMA'S CALENDAR

International window

• July 6 – Las Pumas vs France.
• July 13 – Las Pumas vs France.
• July 20 – Las Pumas vs Tier 2 rivals.

Rugby Championship

• August 10 – New Zealand vs Las Pumas, in Wellington.
• August 17 – New Zealand vs Las Pumas, Auckland.
• August 31 – Las Pumas vs Australia.
• September 7 – Las Pumas vs Australia.
• September 21 – Las Pumas vs South Africa.
• September 28 – Las Pumas vs South Africa.

International window

• November 9 – Italy vs Las Pumas.
• November 16 – Ireland vs Las Pumas.
• November 23 – France vs Las Pumas.