Argies to give BA a miss in 4N

The new 4Nations competition begins on August 18 with the Wallabies playing the All Blacks in Sydney and South Africa taking on Argentina in Cape Town.

3News.co.nz
The Argentina Rugby Union (UAR) is taking all three of its matches in the new four-nations series to venues outside Buenos Aires.

Argentina open the championship against South Africa in Mendoza on August 25, then meet New Zealand in La Plata on September 29 and Australia in Rosario on October 6.

Sanzar chief executive Greg Peters last month strongly recommended the UAR hold two matches in Buenos Aires and one outside. La Plata is 65km south of Buenos Aires.

Peters said his recommendation was based on logistical concerns visiting teams face once in Argentina, as well as the long journey to get there.

UAR president Luis Catillo said the decision was made to take the Pumas’ games into the country’s interior “so everyone can enjoy our national team”, Reuters reported.
The Estadio Ciudad was recently converted into a 36,000 all-seater venue with a roof to cover all the seats.

The Rugby Championship replaces the Tri-Nations after Argentina were invited to compete against the superpowers of rugby in the southern hemisphere.

The UAR revealed that the Pumas will play their first home match against South Africa, on August 25, at the Estadio Malvinas Argentinas in the western city of Mendoza.

They will then face World Cup winners New Zealand in La Plata, just outside Buenos Aires, on September 29, while their final match in the competition will be against Australia in Rosario, 300 kilometres to the north of the capital, on October 6.

“Next year will be an unprecedented one for rugby in Argentina, with the Pumas playing a total of 12 matches, including six at home, against the strongest nations in the world,” said UAR president Luis Castillo.