Pumas hold talks with Tri-Nations

Argentina have held talks with the leading southern hemisphere nations to discuss the possibility of creating an expanded competition.

The Pumas have been seeking to join the Tri-Nations for several years.

Sanzar (the South African, New Zealand and Australia unions) hopes to come up with some fresh proposals to put to broadcasters next year.

Talks were also held with Canada and the USA, while meetings are scheduled with Japan, Fiji, Samoa and Tonga.

"It was very much an information-sharing discussion with all parties," Sanzar chief executive Jonathan Stones said in a statement on Thursday.

"We gave an update on the state of Sanzar rugby at both Super 14 and Tri-Nations level and, in turn, each country presented their capabilities and vision for the future."

Sanzar's current television deal, which expires at the end of the 2010 season, covers both the Super 14 provincial game and the Tri-Nations.

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Argentina, who finished third at last year's Rugby World Cup, have been keen to join either Europe's Six Nations or the southern hemisphere's Tri-Nations in order to find regular top-class opposition.

The likes of Canada and the USA lack the firepower to compete with the southern hemisphere giants on a regular basis, but there could be room for them in an expanded Pacific Nations Cup.

That tournament currently features Japan, Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, Australia A and New Zealand Maori.

Stones said the results from the meetings would be discussed at the next Sanzar workshop in Perth from 15-17 July.

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