Scrumbag

South Africa take pity on Argentina-no-mates

The Six Nations is well and truly underway, the Tri-Nations will be smashing its way into our rugby lives this summer, and even Asia has set up its very own competition.  Meanwhile, Argentina sit alone in their bedroom with no-one to talk to, sending hopeful emails via Facebook and the like, yearning for someone - anyone - to love them.  It breaks your heart.

That is certainly the view that SARU have taken as they have invited the Argies out on a hot date in August to play a Test match to celebrate the 90th birthday of former President Mandela.  Los Pumas had better get their best underwear on and let the Saffers get to at least second base if they want a return date.

As Asia launch their "Five Nations" tournament should Argentina consider a "One Nation" cup?

Poor Argentina, with Six Nations, Tri Nations and now an Asian Five Nations, the Argies remain stuck without a tournament.

The brand spanking new Asian Five Nations series kicks off in April, and will feature five 15-a-side Asian teams including top-ranked Japan, the Arabian Gulf, Hong Kong, South Korea and Kazakhstan. Whether the banned Borat makinis will be allowed for the Kazakhstan games, I can not be sure.

"The tournament is vital for the development and expansion of rugby throughout Asia and will give our elite players the chance to perform in front of a significantly expanded TV audience," Asian Rugby Football Union honorary secretary general Ross Mitchell told a news conference, as every in Argentina weeped about their loneliness.

Who needs a haka when you can do a bellyflop?

I have no idea what's going on here (my Spanish only stretches to "paella") but this rugby team in Argentina have developed a pre-match ritual that might actually be more petrifying than New Zealand's Haka. It's half haka / half "the bumps", but completely odd...

Should Argentina's Pumas be allowed into the Six Nations?

This is a tricky one. Part of me loved the five nations, when it was just that five nations. Have Italy really brought much to the mix? What is the benefit of adding another side to an already busy international schedule. However, on the other hand, the pumas are a genuine rugby force these days, and it's only fair they play somewhere in order to develop their game further. Let me know what you think...

Argentian Head Coach Declines Leicester Tigers Offer

The president of the Argentinian Rugby Union, Alejandro Risler, has confirmed that Pumas head coach Marcelo Loffreda will not be taking up the position of head coach of the Leicester Tigers before the World Cup.

Doubt surfaced about whether the coach, who has taken Argentina to new heights, would remain with the international side when it emerged he had been in talks with the Tigers, whose current head coach Pat Howard leaves the club at the end of the season. But Risler confirmed Loffreda would remain for this Autumn's tournament, but could not confirm if Loffreda would remain following the World Cup.

"We are working with Marcelo Loffreda to reach Paris in September," Risler told the Ole newspaper. "All our efforts are concentrated on getting Argentina to our best-ever World Cup position. I'm sure that the Leicester's offer is in recognition of Loffreda's work with the Pumas in the last eight years. We are going to think about his successor after the World Cup."

We reported that Loffreda was in the frame a few months ago.

Who needs a haka when you can do a bellyflop?

I have no idea what's going on here (my Spanish only stretches to "paella") but this rugby team in Argentina have developed a pre-match ritual that might actually be more petrifying than New Zealand's Haka. It's half haka / half "the bumps", but completely odd...

Should Argentina's Pumas be allowed into the Six Nations?

This is a tricky one. Part of me loved the five nations, when it was just that five nations. Have Italy really brought much to the mix? What is the benefit of adding another side to an already busy international schedule. However, on the other hand, the pumas are a genuine rugby force these days, and it's only fair they play somewhere in order to develop their game further. Let me know what you think...

Argentian Head Coach Declines Leicester Tigers Offer

The president of the Argentinian Rugby Union, Alejandro Risler, has confirmed that Pumas head coach Marcelo Loffreda will not be taking up the position of head coach of the Leicester Tigers before the World Cup.

Doubt surfaced about whether the coach, who has taken Argentina to new heights, would remain with the international side when it emerged he had been in talks with the Tigers, whose current head coach Pat Howard leaves the club at the end of the season. But Risler confirmed Loffreda would remain for this Autumn's tournament, but could not confirm if Loffreda would remain following the World Cup.

"We are working with Marcelo Loffreda to reach Paris in September," Risler told the Ole newspaper. "All our efforts are concentrated on getting Argentina to our best-ever World Cup position. I'm sure that the Leicester's offer is in recognition of Loffreda's work with the Pumas in the last eight years. We are going to think about his successor after the World Cup."

We reported that Loffreda was in the frame a few months ago.