Pichot "forces" the Pumas to join the SR in 2016

[Superalexmarket]

In a recent press conference, Agustin Pichot (Lord and Master of argentine rugby) explained how would be the restructuring of Argentine rugby after the creation of the franchise who'll take part in the SR in 2016.

Here the main items:

* The Super Rugby franchise will be 100 percent of the UAR. There will not be another actor, not private or the state.

* Players who do not disputing the Super Rugby because they are in European clubs can not be part of Los Pumas since 2016.

* It seems it will not be place for foreign players in the franchise, but some argentine player in other southern team could be part of the Pumas.

* Before the end of the year will be recruited 24 players chosen by the staff of Los Pumas led by Daniel Hourcade and those responsible Plar. The idea of the UAR is to end 2015 with a batch of 35 to 45 hired. Those players will contest the Super Rugby, and, with Los Pumas Rugby Championship and windows June and November.

* The UAR create an HR management that will take care of these contracts, which will be individual and scales. Those who play in Los Pumas charged extra, but no prize for winning.

* Players who are hired not only have the advantage of being at home, but have a less strenuous competition in Europe, where surely, on the other hand, pay more. Pichot said he is driving with Sanzar a calendar with 16 weeks off for players. In Europe, reaching 34-36 games a year, which is about to explode with many injured.

* Next year the staff will lead the franchise will be defined. The idea is that not the same as that of Los Pumas.

* The UAR obviously not have the same percentage gain (yes decision) that New Zealand, South Africa and Australia in the Sanzar, but according Pichot, "more than minimal" which aimed at Argentina was achieved. Anyway, several percentages are still negotiating, but most importantly, the TV, will allow the UAR meet most of the cost of the franchise. Everything else will gain and thicken the budget.

* The Argentine team will play at least 8 matches in Argentina. It will local at Buenos Aires

* It is still in search of a land to build a stadium and a high performance center, but for now is a distant possibility.

* Another from Pichot: Argentina wants at least be present to host the 2023 World Cup.

* In his pre-conference speech, highlighted the fact Pichot return to an Argentine team made up of players who are in Argentina. "The Argentina shirts are our clubs, not outsiders," said the Argentine representative in the Sanzar and the World Rugby. Hence it is very difficult for the integrated franchise a player from another country.

* There will be a second batch of players Plar not hired, that will be the development of high competence to deal tournaments like the Nation Cup, the South American and the Americas Cup.

* To solve: what to do with contract, for example, do not play the Rugby Championship? Be few. The Interior can play for their clubs. And it remains to be seen whether the URBA maintains its status or change in its March meeting.

* Pichot emphasized something that is real in this plan: separate the professional and amateur shielding domestic competition. The 3 emphasized that a schedule with URBA and television ensued, establishing him clauses, so that professional competence will not remove the amateur space. It is a very good and crucial point if realized successfully.

* The UAR in 2014 had a balance of $ 17 million. Record.

* There are 57,431 players across the country, not counting the children.

* 695 trainings were held across the country. In that area, the Argentina is the second country in the world after South Africa.

* Will continue betting fortify the federal jurisdiction. There will, again, 58 clubs while competing in the National Club, Tournament of Interior A and B and the Super 9

 

[Draggs]

Drawing all national squad players from one team is a terrible idea. Super Rugby will give them what, 18 matches? They will either have to do heavy rotation or be prepared to pick a national side with just over 20 fit players.

 

[jonny24]

So their stars in Europe are expected to give up what they've achieved to come play for an expansion franchise?

 

[Wendigo7]

So Matera and co are all expected to leave for this franchise I'm correct in saying?

 

[j'nuh]

Would be interesting to see if they would keep the embargo up if all their top players stayed in Europe anyway.

 

[Every Time Ref]

Interesting. It seems like a potential risk - if many Argentinians playing in Europe choose their current club, or even if just a few experienced key players do so, they could end up with the national team slightly screwed.

Drawing all national squad players from one team is a terrible idea. Super Rugby will give them what, 18 matches? They will either have to do heavy rotation or be prepared to pick a national side with just over 20 fit players.

I don't see how the risk of injury / tired players is any greater because they're all playing for the same franchise? Surely they'd all be playing the same amount and same intensity of domestic rugby anyway?

Can I ask, what is Plar? I've seen it mentioned in connection with young Argentinian rugby players a lot, it seems to be something to do with young player development? Is it a training centre or something, or a national coaching setup?

 

[LittleGuy]

Interesting. It seems like a potential risk - if many Argentinians playing in Europe choose their current club, or even if just a few experienced key players do so, they could end up with the national team slightly screwed.



I don't see how the risk of injury / tired players is any greater because they're all playing for the same franchise? Surely they'd all be playing the same amount and same intensity of domestic rugby anyway?

Can I ask, what is Plar? I've seen it mentioned in connection with young Argentinian rugby players a lot, it seems to be something to do with young player development? Is it a training centre or something, or a national coaching setup?

Is Draggs getting at the opposite point? That other than those 20(and a couple more) players who will be playing regularly for this team there will be no depth created and a lot of the fringe members of the squad won't be match fit as they will have come from the amateur levels of Argentine competition.

 

[Every Time Ref]

Aha, yes that makes much more sense. That's the worry of creating, essentially, the same squad for both domestic and international teams - if you have potential but are not international class yet, who are you going to play for while you learn to fulfil that potential?

 

[Tony Manx]

The idea of pushing Puma rugby forward with the Super 18 and RC is great and this has to start somewhere.

With their involvement in the SH championship, the chances of the top Pumas gaining a contract with the top clubs in the NH diminishes every season and these guys are trying to promote the idea of a more locally based squad for all the right reasons.

There are initial problems (do you give up a NH contract with its money or go home to develop Puma rugby?) but there has to be a start somewhere and this is probably as best as they can do..............it will be a slow progress and there have (and will be more) mistakes but let us support the initative and constructively criticise the mistakes in the always hopeful offchance that they will see them and then correct them!!

 

[Draggs]

LG is correct. They will establish a best XV and best 23 with only slight changes. Too much rotation can disturb the stability of the team, but keeping with roughly the same squad means plenty will be left out.

Take Tuculet, Amorosino, Agulla, Imhoff, Montero. They all start weekly at their clubs for the most part. Under this system at least one will miss rugby each week. If they want to restrict players to playing in Argentina that's fine down the line, but wait until they have two teams at least.

 

[Tony Manx]

LG is correct. They will establish a best XV and best 23 with only slight changes. Too much rotation can disturb the stability of the team, but keeping with roughly the same squad means plenty will be left out.

Take Tuculet, Amorosino, Agulla, Imhoff, Montero. They all start weekly at their clubs for the most part. Under this system at least one will miss rugby each week. If they want to restrict players to playing in Argentina that's fine down the line, but wait until they have two teams at least.

I cannot but agree but you have to start somewhere and there are not enough top pros in the country.........I can hardly believe there will not be "special dispensations" but look how Wales have had to fight to get their top players to come back/stay home and I can see where the Pumas are coming for.

My hope is that they will indeed find other matches to keep the "rest" of the squad in regular competitive rugby and even more so at a good level....

 

[ratsapprentice]

I like Pichot and his healthy distrust of private equity.

 

[Tony Manx]

I like Pichot and his healthy distrust of private equity.

Surely Puma rugby is a loooooooooooooong way before any reasonable Equity company would be vaguely interested in making an investment!! Most of these guys cannot see further than three years and Puma rugby will need far more than that!!

 

[j'nuh]

Agree with Draggs. Imagine if you did the same with Wales, just having one professional team to draw players from. Lydiate-Warburton-Faletau would start. Tipuric would make the bench. The rest would play amateur rugby. Hardly a position from which to try and break into the Argentina super rugby squad and national team.

It just doesn't work because without a few more clubs, players who are out of the XV have no options of places to move in order to seek first class rugby.

Allowing players to go overseas frees up spots for the next generation of talent. They're shooting themselves in the foot by not letting this talent emerge.

 

[Superalexmarket]

Fernandez Lobbe would have decided to stay in Europe and reject Pichot's proposal, so ... goodbye National Team for "Cork" Lobbe ...
If this continues this way will be a disaster for Arg. rugby I think...

 

[Tony Manx]

Fernandez Lobbe would have decided to stay in Europe and reject Pichot's proposal, so ... goodbye National Team for "Cork" Lobbe ...
If this continues this way will be a disaster for Arg. rugby I think...

He is 33 now..............and will be 35 when the rules change!!

 

[Big Ewis]

I usually don't get involved with such threads. I just take in the info. I don't understand economics in sports or anything logistic-oriented and even knowing half of it doesn't make me fit to give an opinion.
In depth, I hope this works out and Argentina, my second nation, gets something even remotely decent enough for their worth. The UAR is older than most Rugby fans think, their culture of Rugby is innate and genuine, and what with all the bullcrap from being such a far away nation, isolated in an entire Rugby-devoid continent, being third-world in some regards and hindering difficulties of the sort - they still produce the best LH prop in the world, they still produce the best TH prop in the world (when healthy) and possess the best scrum in the world, they still produce fine red wine..uhmm, sorry....they still hold up more than decently in the Rugby freakin Championship, beat the Wallabies, and they still come to Paris and get a win.
It's about time they get something - at least - half decent in accordance with what they rightfully deserve, GODDAMIT !! *slams left foot on table*

- - - Updated - - -

He is 33 now..............and will be 35 when the rules change!!

mmm yeahhh....plus I mean, he's...busy these days..leave Juan alone....

 

[Draggs]

Boudjellal would jump at this, pay a player a bit more and they sign on with Toulon= No Argentine players leaving for international tests.

Works like a charm for Mitchell, Giteau, Armitages, et al.

 

[Tony Manx]

Boudjellal would jump at this, pay a player a bit more and they sign on with Toulon= No Argentine players leaving for international tests.

Works like a charm for Mitchell, Giteau, Armitages, et al.

I believe he has to release them for international windows but, if you choose cash ahead of country and the country turns it back on you for that, you know where you stand and it is your choice. However, even England has "special circumstances" provisos....................lets us hope the Pumas use them initially anyway!!

 

[goodNumber10]

Is Draggs getting at the opposite point? That other than those 20(and a couple more) players who will be playing regularly for this team there will be no depth created and a lot of the fringe members of the squad won't be match fit as they will have come from the amateur levels of Argentine competition.

Did I read it wrong or did it also say anyone playing for any of the Super 15 teams.

So hernandez playing for the sharks a few years ago would have been eligible.

 

[ratsapprentice]

That would make sense... I watched some video interviews with Pichot a couple of months ago.

I'd imagine they'd let people playing for Union owned sides player for the Pumas based on what he was saying.

 

[LittleGuy]

Did I read it wrong or did it also say anyone playing for any of the Super 15 teams.

So hernandez playing for the sharks a few years ago would have been eligible.

Yeah that is correct, but I don't think that would expand the pool that much, maybe a couple to a handful of guys would get into other Super Rugby clubs. I suppose it would help but the elephant in the room of the European clubs is still there.

I have to agree with Draggs' points the Argentine setup shouldn't do this until there are at least two teams in SR out of there country, or the lower tiers of Argentine rugby become professional, though both seem to be someway off if they ever happen.

 

[Jaguares]

Drawing all national squad players from one team is a terrible idea. Super Rugby will give them what, 18 matches? They will either have to do heavy rotation or be prepared to pick a national side with just over 20 fit players.

Top players like Fernandez Lobbe or Marcos Ayerza could play in others Super Rugby franchises:

* It seems it will not be place for foreign players in the franchise, but some argentine player in other southern team could be part of the Pumas.

Can I ask, what is Plar? I've seen it mentioned in connection with young Argentinian rugby players a lot, it seems to be something to do with young player development? Is it a training centre or something, or a national coaching setup?

Yeah, it's a high performance center. The UAR selects the best players in the country and they get special treatment, are trained as professionals in high performance centers and even have a small salary, but a salary is a salary. It's a select group of Argentine players, those not yet reached a contract in Europe but have the potential to achieve it.

Then the Pladar is a bridge between a young player with great potential and his first European contract. Now is the link between youth players and Super Rugby.

 

[LittleGuy]

Even with the other Super Rugby franchises as eligible that's still a small pool, a few Pumas are definitely good enough to make other sides but seeing as most Soup franchises aren't willing/able to have more than 2-3 capped foreign players I can't see it being a replacement for a whole other team in Argentina or the European spots.

So we've got the starting 23, maybe a few fringe guys rotated in for maybe 30-32 guys and maybe a handful of guys playing in other SR teams, that's only a pool of like 30-37 guys, and that might be generous along with some of those fringe guys seeing limited minutes.

 

[CarferFragen]

There are some players, like Corcho (Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe, former captain of Los Pumas) which already warned that they will not be"extended Pichot. Marcos Ayerza is another that already stretched its link in England and will not be in the franchise, so it would be outside of the selected when you begin this rule in 2016.

It is an agreed fact that the player will have to play in the franchise to play in Los Pumas, because the goal is to retain them." They would not play in the selected who are in Super Rugby teams.



NOTA DE ESPN RUGBY

"La franquicia en el Super Rugby será 100 por ciento de la UAR"

BUENOS AIRES -- "No va a haber capitales privados. Conseguimos más del mínimo que pretendíamos por derechos de televisación: la franquicia en el Super Rugby será del rugby argentino", comunicó Agustín Pichot en conferencia de prensa junto al presidente y el secretario de la UAR, Carlos Araujo y Fernando Rizzi. En un hotel del centro porteño se realizó un cónclave en el que la franquicia argentina estuvo en el centro de las consultas.

El ex capitán de Los Pumas, hoy en carácter de representante argentino en World Rugby y SANZAR, agregó que "tomamos parámetros de los tres países del sur. Ellos lo tienen en cinco equipos. Optimizan sus recursos. El modelo tomado es similar al de Nueva Zelanda. Va a ser centralizado y cada uno jugará cualquier competencia que la UAR decida: Jaguares, Los Pumas y Argentina A (lo que hoy sería Pampas). Pero todo es bien argentino, nadie nos impuso un modelo".

Además hizo hincapié en la cantidad de jugadores a contratar. "El número de jugadores es experimental. Si contratás 90 muchos te quedan colgados, y no queremos eso. Ya la transición terminó, no queremos más contratados en el rugby de desarrollo. Será una decisión del rugby argentino si el contratado vuelve al rugby local. Y si la UAR lo deja", sostuvo.

Fernando Rizzi expresó que la UAR se "está reestructurando y hay una nueva área de recursos humanos. Se logró un dinero con el que se va a empezar una negociación con un grupo antes de fines de diciembre. Y con otros en febrero. Es para la franquicia y para que estén contratados y disponibles en 2015. Serán entre 35 y 45 para el 2016, aunque primero van a ser 24. Tendrán contratos individuales, y a través de la UAR", explicó. Además el secretario de la Unión agregó que "a partir del 2016 y con un mínimo asegurado de cinco años, de acuerdo a los contratos que unen a todas las uniones, la UAR se incorporará como parte integrante del joint-venture entre Nueva Zelanda, Australia y Sudáfrica". Esto significa que Argentina formará parte del Consejo de Administración con dos representantes, al igual que las tres uniones.

Otro de los puntos a los que se refirió fue a la elección de los nombres, que estará centrada en la decisión del head coach de Los Pumas. "La injerencia va a ser total del entrenador del Seleccionado mayor en la conformación del plantel de la franquicia. Ya se juntaron e hicieron la lista. Todo esto se habló con los jugadores. A los que están en Europa se les pidió con tiempo que pongan en su contrato la rescisión por este motivo. Hay algunos jugadores, como Corcho (Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe, ex capitán de Los Pumas) que ya avisaron que no van a estar", amplió Pichot. Marcos Ayerza es otro que ya estiró su vínculo en Inglaterra y no estará en la franquicia, así que quedaría afuera del seleccionado cuando comience esta regla en 2016.

También, el sitio en el que se desarrollarán los partidos estuvo entre los temas explicados. "No es un tema político jugar en Buenos Aires. La principal cuestión que sale en las discusiones en las reuniones de World Rugby es el cansancio de los jugadores. En Europa juegan casi 35 fechas, tienen pocas semanas de descanso. El Sur, por su parte, tiene los viajes. Se pasa de un Super Rugby de 15 a 18 equipos porque los sudafricanos no querían viajar más. Los mata ir a Australia y Nueva Zelanda", aseguró Pichot.

En el evento estuvo Juan Sebastián Verón, presidente de Estudiantes y de buena relación con Pichot. "La Bruja ofreció el estadio que están construyendo para que juegue la franquicia", confesó el dirigente. También se analizan opciones en Zona Norte y Sur de la provincia de Buenos Aires. Sobre un futuro centro de Alto Rendimiento, la UAR sigue trabajando para conseguir un espacio adecuado, pero todavía no hay nada cerrado.

A su vez Carlos Araujo agregó que "se contratará por 12 meses a los jugadores, y pueden firmar por tres años. Los que jueguen los partidos de Los Pumas tendrán premios aparte. En los tests de Los Pumas cobrarán todos iguales. No tienen premios por ganar. Con la camiseta argentina sobra la motivación. además, es un hecho acordado que el jugador va a tener que jugar en la franquicia para jugar en Los Pumas, porque el objetivo es retenerlos". Tampoco jugarían en el seleccionado los que estén en otros equipos del Super Rugby.

Se habló de la posibilidad de sumar extranjeros a la franquicia, por una recomendación de SANZAR, pero aún la UAR no tomó una decisión al respecto, aunque no es del gusto de la actual comisión directiva. Tampco está definido el nombre del equipo, algo que quedará para el próximo año, junto con la imagen de la franquicia, en la que ya están trabajando tres empresas de marketing.

Con el Mundial por delante, Pichot adelantó que no se viajará a Pensacola en 2015. Y que el trabajo para la Copa del Mundo 2015 empezará con el Rugby Championship. "Es una postura correcta de Hourcade", dijo el ex 9. Y agregó: "Este año es el peor de todos por calendario. Pedimos atrasar el inicio del Championship pero no se pudo".

 

[nickdnz]

All their moves makes sense and I think is actually clever going forward.

For all the benefit the Top 14 has done for Argentina rugby (and it is huge in many ways) - the fact that clubs have prevented Argentina to have all their best players available during international windows (meaning the June series results in Argentina regularly getting destroyed and moving down the rankings) - means I think recruiting purely from one competition that guarantees releases around international rugby is very good. Part of them getting the contract was guaranteeing their best players would play Super Rugby, so they didn't really have much choice regardless.

In terms of recruiting from one team - hopefully that actually will not be the case. They can recruit from any Super Rugby team. As it currently stands that means quite little - however if Top Argentinian players are willing to take less money than in the Top 14 - there is no reason why we won't see more players being picked up by NZ, South African - and particularly Australian sides who are lacking in depth significantly. Also it is not unreasonable to suspect the Japanese franchise to want to bolster their squad and pay a lot for a proven international (an Argentinian prop certainly wouldn't hurt Japan...). So in the long run I think the issue of depth will resolve itself. I believe they will still be able to recruit domestically and since they are running their own franchise they can transition amateur local talent into professional ranks far more efficiently.

 

[psychic duck]

All their moves makes sense and I think is actually clever going forward.

For all the benefit the Top 14 has done for Argentina rugby (and it is huge in many ways) - the fact that clubs have prevented Argentina to have all their best players available during international windows (meaning the June series results in Argentina regularly getting destroyed and moving down the rankings) - means I think recruiting purely from one competition that guarantees releases around international rugby is very good. Part of them getting the contract was guaranteeing their best players would play Super Rugby, so they didn't really have much choice regardless.

In terms of recruiting from one team - hopefully that actually will not be the case. They can recruit from any Super Rugby team. As it currently stands that means quite little - however if Top Argentinian players are willing to take less money than in the Top 14 - there is no reason why we won't see more players being picked up by NZ, South African - and particularly Australian sides who are lacking in depth significantly. Also it is not unreasonable to suspect the Japanese franchise to want to bolster their squad and pay a lot for a proven international (an Argentinian prop certainly wouldn't hurt Japan...). So in the long run I think the issue of depth will resolve itself. I believe they will still be able to recruit domestically and since they are running their own franchise they can transition amateur local talent into professional ranks far more efficiently.

Firstly UAR themselves agreed to that June arrangement, secondly other teams would only recruit a tiny amount of players, I would rate the chances of Argentines in a Japanese team very slim.

Frankly this is one of the most hair brained ideas I've seen for a long while, for the reasons outlined by others above. No precedent to a top level international side limiting themselves to one team. French teams seeing value in a non international player will bid more, and they will be hard pushed to outbid them for all, the Pumas don't have the depth SANZAR has to cope with losses to key players. Ayerza, Lobbe, Lavannini, Agulla and Imhoff are all players already contracted beyond the World Cup as well, I guess they can scratch them all out of their plans.

 

[nickdnz]

Firstly UAR themselves agreed to that June arrangement, secondly other teams would only recruit a tiny amount of players, I would rate the chances of Argentines in a Japanese team very slim.

Frankly this is one of the most hair brained ideas I've seen for a long while, for the reasons outlined by others above. No precedent to a top level international side limiting themselves to one team. French teams seeing value in a non international player will bid more, and they will be hard pushed to outbid them for all, the Pumas don't have the depth SANZAR has to cope with losses to key players. Ayerza, Lobbe, Lavannini, Agulla and Imhoff are all players already contracted beyond the World Cup as well, I guess they can scratch them all out of their plans.

I know they agreed to the June agreement - I didn't say they were forced into it (other than a lack of other options). However by making this move they are ensuring that players will always be available to the national team - and so aren't guaranteed a thrashing by Soctland in June with their B-team players, to then get hit again come the Rugby Championship.

Of the players you mentioned only Imhoff and Lavannini are under 30. Ayerza probably has another four years or so in him - but as great as Lobbe is he is already 33. Come 2016, he'll be 35. Agulla is also in his 30s and probably not so vital to Argentina. It is true that French clubs may bid more for players who won't play overseas - however I'm not convinced limiting national selection has resulted in more players in England playing in France, so I'm not convinced it would be the same for Argentina. Remembering it is one competition and not one team - of which plenty of teams do the same. Of course they only currently have one team in that competition - so I guess we'll have to wait and see how many other SR teams will sign Argentine talent. We know Montero was already trying to be signed by Western Force.

I would certainly not be surprised to see the Southern Kings also look to pick up a bunch of Argentine players as they certainly don't have the depth to support themselves. They already have had Nicolas Vergallo and Tomas Leonardi.

 

[LittleGuy]

Firstly UAR themselves agreed to that June arrangement, secondly other teams would only recruit a tiny amount of players, I would rate the chances of Argentines in a Japanese team very slim.

Frankly this is one of the most hair brained ideas I've seen for a long while, for the reasons outlined by others above. No precedent to a top level international side limiting themselves to one team. French teams seeing value in a non international player will bid more, and they will be hard pushed to outbid them for all, the Pumas don't have the depth SANZAR has to cope with losses to key players. Ayerza, Lobbe, Lavannini, Agulla and Imhoff are all players already contracted beyond the World Cup as well, I guess they can scratch them all out of their plans.

I think this actually has the possibility of being amongst the dumbest decisions in the history of International rugby it's so unbelievably short sighted. I have ZERO confidence in any of the other SR sides to sign Argentine players and I think it would be a miracle if even five other Pumas were on the rest of the 17 teams in the competition.

 

[psychic duck]

I know they agreed to the June agreement - I didn't say they were forced into it (other than a lack of other options). However by making this move they are ensuring that players will always be available to the national team - and so aren't guaranteed a thrashing by Soctland in June with their B-team players, to then get hit again come the Rugby Championship.

Of the players you mentioned only Imhoff and Lavannini are under 30. Ayerza probably has another four years or so in him - but as great as Lobbe is he is already 33. Come 2016, he'll be 35. Agulla is also in his 30s and probably not so vital to Argentina. It is true that French clubs may bid more for players who won't play overseas - however I'm not convinced limiting national selection has resulted in more players in England playing in France, so I'm not convinced it would be the same for Argentina. Remembering it is one competition and not one team - of which plenty of teams do the same. Of course they only currently have one team in that competition - so I guess we'll have to wait and see how many other SR teams will sign Argentine talent. We know Montero was already trying to be signed by Western Force.

I would certainly not be surprised to see the Southern Kings also look to pick up a bunch of Argentine players as they certainly don't have the depth to support themselves. They already have had Nicolas Vergallo and Tomas Leonardi.

All the players are currently available in IRB windows, the just chose that option so not to many lost contracts. They lost by 2 points against Scotland with a late penalty in June by the way, you're mixing that up with the November fixture.

England isn't comparable. They have 12 top flight teams and significantly more money to keep them with a good living. The other SR teams will only sign a pinchful of Argentines, you will may be able to count them on one hand. By the way, Vergallo and Leonardi lost their place in the Pumas squad altogether after they barely ever played at the Kings with overseas restrictions, that's not going to work.

There is lots wrong with this. Say for example the fourth choice fly half for example, he can't quite crack the top spot in Argentina but is good enough for a lower league Top 14 side (like Urdapilleta, Socino or Mieres for instance), but when there are a few of injuries he would need to be called upon. Can we really expect that player to stick getting paid barely anything in amateur rugby, or go for a solid Top 14 contract? An injury crisis (of what there are many) could leave them with some rank 10th choice amateur.

This is a ridiculous attempt to force players back which has large scope to backfire badly. Argentina said they didn't have the money for a second team, I have doubts as to whether they will outbid the big European teams for all players as well especially once the novelty wears off.

I think this actually has the possibility of being amongst the dumbest decisions in the history of International rugby it's so unbelievably short sighted. I have ZERO confidence in any of the other SR sides to sign Argentine players and I think it would be a miracle if even five other Pumas were on the rest of the 17 teams in the competition.

I assume nobody told them the Top 14 recently signed a huge TV deal to increase their money, along with added Champions Cup money.