Player release still a big issue

TRI-NATIONS:ARGENTINA MOVED closer to joining an expanded Southern Hemisphere competition after the IRB approved €7.5 million in funding, but the head of rugby in New Zealand, Steve Tew, said player eligibility remains an issue.

Last week, the IRB approved the funding for the Tri-Nations governing body Sanzar (South Africa, New Zealand and Australia Rugby) to cover any shortfall from the Pumas joining the competition.

New Zealand Rugby Union chief executive Tew has said that while funding had been one of the sticking points for Sanzar, player eligibility was a bigger concern.

A “Four Nations” tournament, following an expanded Super 15 club competition, would not start until late August and run through September. Many Argentine players are contracted to clubs in Europe, where the seasons begin around the same time.

“The funding from the IRB is an important part of the conditions that we set,” Tew said yesterday at the launch of ticket sales for next year’s World Cup.

“But the most important is the guarantee that we can get the Argentine players from their clubs to play during this window.

“We understand the IRB executive committee have made a recommendation to go to council in May to have the regulation, called regulation nine, extended to cover a Four Nations window.

“If that happens, then Sanzar will be a lot more confident that Argentina will be able to play a part in the tournament and we will be in a better position to make a decision.”

IRB chief executive Mike Miller, who attended the glitzy ticket launch, said he did not expect the Pumas’ eligibility to create a club-versus-country row.

“Everyone said that we must get Argentina into one of the top level competitions,” Miller said. “Nothing has changed. The IRB council needs to make the rule change and, if they do, I would hope they (European clubs) back it.”

Miller said another possibility could be Argentine players being contracted to Super 15 franchises.

“The more that happens the less problems there will be.”

Miller said the IRB would pay Sanzar €1.85 million a year from 2012 to 2015 to cover any shortfall in sponsorship and ticket revenues from an expanded competition.

“We said it was important for Argentina to be in the Tri-Nations so we thought it was unfair for Sanzar to take a loss during the transition phase.”