KEY POINTS:
As far back as 2004, the International Rugby Board banged on about the pressing need to support Argentina.
Their shiny new strategic plan said it was crucial that the Pumas were nurtured as one of the top rugby nations in the world.
Alongside that target, the IRB said
they had to show leadership and review plans for a global season.
Since then? Diddly-squat until this week's mention from IRB chief executive Mike Miller that Argentina could be included in next year's Tri-Nations "if everyone wants it".
That delay in sorting out something for Argentina (now ranked sixth in the world) is an uncomfortable reminder of the lack of assistance shown towards Samoa once they made the World Cup quarter-finals in 1991.
On top of the Argentina-makes-four scheme, there was some suggestion from the IRB about a world provincial championship and the merits of finding out whether sides like the Crusaders could mix it with Munster.
The rugby calendar is already way too congested. Miller and the IRB know this. So why the public float about an expanded Tri-Nations?
Either it says the IRB is an unwieldy organisation without sufficient clout to rearrange its code and has no solution, or it is trying to put more heat on Sanzar on the eve of this week's 2011 World Cup meetings in Auckland.
Once upon a time, as the dubious story goes, William Webb Ellis picked up the ball and ran with it. The IRB needs to take some similar bold steps.
The messy global schedules mixed in with the overbearing intrusion of the World Cup, the dithering on appropriate law changes, the old boys' network and outdated voting practices all speak of an organisation struggling to keep pace.
Getting back to the Pumas. Most of their leading players are on contract to clubs in Europe and it would seem much more practical for them to be involved in the Six Nations.
Otherwise they would have to give up their annual break in the middle of the year to play in an expanded Tri-Nations. That series could do with a makeover, but including weary Pumas is no remedy and would go against all the protests about player burn-out.
If the Pumas were to throw their lot into both the Super 14 and Tri-Nations series, News Ltd would need to be persuaded about the financial merits. More travel, less favourable broadcasting times, even more fractured tournaments. Is that really the way to go?
Miller was reported to have said the IRB had wads of money to invest in bringing Argentina into the international programme: "We are here, ready to go but it's up to them."
What about the IRB taking the decision and providing the leadership rugby needs?
