Life breathed into Jaguares as surprise new destination potentially emerges for Argentina's rugby franchise
The Jaguares have become the unfortunate collateral damage of the disbanding of Super Rugby, with New Zealand and Australia forging ahead together while South Africa has joined forces with PRO Rugby in Europe.
The latest reports out of Ireland, however, suggest that top-tier rugby may not be off the table for the Argentinian side.
While a Jaguares XV has joined the Superliga Americana de Rugby and will compete with sides from throughout South America, the bulk of the squad that have been involved in Super Rugby for the past five years have left the team for greener pastures.
The SLAR is very much a second-tier competition and while it may evolve into something great in the future, the level of rugby on offer simply isn’t up to the standard that Argentina’s top players demand – nor would there be enough funding to keep some of the world’s best players involved in a tournament that’s only in its infantile stages.
As such, the Super Rugby AU, Top 14, English Premiership and PRO 14 competitions have been inundated with former Jaguares.
According to a report from The 42, however, the Union Argentina de Rugby (UAR) wish to maintain the Jaguares franchise and have approached PRO Rugby about a potential inclusion in future competitions.
The team would be based out of Bilbao in Spain, reducing any concerns about travel demands.
Per the report, any potential introduction to the PRO14 could take up to two years but the UAR would ideally like to streamline the side’s introduction.
South African sides the Sharks, Bulls, Stormers and Lions are set to be added to the PRO14 next season but ongoing travel issues due to the coronavirus pandemic could throw a spanner in the works.
The Cheetahs and Kings joined the tournament two years ago but have both had to pull out from the current season due to the travel issues. Neither side will take part in the expanded competition.
A revival of the Jaguares would be welcomed with open arms by the rest of the world. The Argentinian side struggled in their inaugural year playing of Super Rugby in 2016 but made it to the grand final of the 2019 competition.
Private equity firm CVC own a 28% share in the PRO14 and are reportedly keen on further expanding the competition due to the potential extra revenue that could be generated.
Of course, with the Jaguares’ former players now signed elsewhere, the UAR would have a mission on their hands getting a team together in the near future – which could delay the Jaguares’ possible inclusion.
Comments on RugbyPass
Tamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder.
1 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
33 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
33 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
33 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to comments