Argentina the odd team out in IRB plans for synchronicity

Chris Moller

A global season is a step closer to reality after the leading nations drew up a battleplan to make it happen at their recent IRB board meeting.

New Zealand Rugby Union chief executive Chris Moller said he couldn't divulge details but the meeting last week, plus another held with the so-called Group of 10, "would be about the most positive and encouraging I have had since I took the job".

The IRB is keen to restructure and align the two hemispheres' seasons as part of its stated objective to grow the game globally.

Countries such as Japan, Canada and the US have the populations and resources to become heavyweights but with rugby's calendar so disjointed and uncertain, it has been hard to maximise commercial opportunities that would generate income to grow the sport in those countries.

Possibly more pressing is the need to find regular, meaningful competition for Argentina. The Pumas remain an enigma in that they are good enough to irregularly beat the likes of Scotland, Wales and Ireland and even give the very best sides a tough ride but they do so on the back of a haphazard test schedule and an amateur domestic structure.

The IRB is determined for Argentina to be accepted into either an expanded Six Nations or Tri Nations or a new competition that gives them regular exposure to the world's best teams.

Moller agreed with the need to find the Pumas a home but he was not sure it should be in the Tri Nations.

"I don't think the IRB have made any secret of their plans for Argentina. Argentina is the only country in the top 10 in the world that doesn't have a regular competition.

"But the majority of their players play in Europe and and would not be able to be released in the Tri Nations which is played in July, August and September. And their domestic players are amateur and I don't think it would be appropriate for them to be pitched against the Sanzar countries."

The other critical reason for establishing an integrated season is player welfare, with every major union now agreeing that the current set-up is too demanding.

A recent report in the British Journal of Sports Medicine revealed almost 50 per cent of professional players will have some form osteoarthritis when they reach their 40s.

The same report found eight to 12 professional rugby players were forced to retire from the game each year through injury, that 25 per cent of England's leading players were out of action through injury and 60 per cent of top professionals were allegedly coerced by their clubs to play when not fit.

With the game now supremely physical, the NZRU has pushed player welfare higher up its priority list and believes there needs to be a definite off-season to allow players time to rest and condition.

All Black coach Graham Henry is so sure that break is needed, he is effectively creating an off-season for 22 test players next season by withdrawing them from the first seven rounds of the Super 14.

The move has angered the NZRU's broadcast partner News Limited but the two parties have clearly agreed to no longer make any public comment.

Last week, News Limited consulted the domestic broadcasters in New Zealand and Australia to get their views on the NZRU's plans.

The Herald on Sunday revealed Fox Sports was angry at the prospect of not seeing Daniel Carter and Richie McCaw until April.

Moller refused to say what stage the negotiations were now at but he confirmed the NZRU wants a resolution before October 13, the date it has to contract all its players for next season's Super 14.