The addition of Argentina to the Tri-Nations roster would be a boost to southern hemisphere rugby and is well deserved writes Mick Cleary in The Daily Telegraph.
"This is not the decent thing to do, it is the right thing to do. Argentina finished third in the 2007 Rugby World Cup, their passionate, hard-nosed, edgy rugby upsetting opponents but winning the day. Ireland were seen off, France, too, in an acrimonious third-place play-off.
"Never mind Argentina needing the Tri-Nations, the Tri-Nations needs Argentina. The format has become stale, its cast of characters all too familiar.
"Argentina will inject spice to the tournament, needle also. One of the key details to be thrashed out before the deal is ratified is that the SANZAR unions of South Africa, New Zealand and Australia will have to "actively work" with Argentina to place their best players in an expanded Super 15 provincial competition. Given that it is envisaged a revamped Four Nations would run from mid-August to mid-October, it would probably be impractical to have Argentine players plying their trade in Europe as they currently do. Pity."
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