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May 24, 2006

Pumas threaten strike action

Posted by Editor on May 24, 2006 03:28 PM | 5 comments | Print | E-mail author

Francisco Leonelli joins Glasgow from Edinburgh
New Glasgow signing, Francisco Leonelli, is among 53 Argentinian players on the verge of refusing to play for the Pumas in a row over payments and facilities.

The Argentinian winger is in a group of players who have signed a letter which has been published on the internet denouncing the Argentinian Rugby Union (UAR).

Among the other players who signed the letter published on www.rugbyfun.com.ar, were Agustin Pichot, Gonzalo Longo, Felipe Contepomi, Mario Ledesma, Ignacio Corleto, Omar Hasan, José María Núñez Piossek, Hernan Senillosa, Martin Schusterman, Gonzalo Tiesi, Rimas Alvarez, Pablo and Santiago Gomez Cora, Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe, Pablo Henn and Martin Durand.

Top members of Marcelo Loffreda's current Pumas squad met representatives of UAR in Europe last week but their demands were totally rejected by the Union.

The players want the UAR to upgrade the facilities in Argentina to the level of other Test playing countries.

The players' letter claimed: "Professionalism has revolutionised everything in the matter of preparation, intensity and the game.

"At the same time, there were impossible-to-reject offers from abroad, so playing in Argentina was impossible. It was very difficult for us to equalise our level against professional teams on the pitch.

"So we asked the UAR to put Argentinian rugby on a similar level to the others.

"The financial aspect is only the figure we put to an idea, to a system, to the minimum we need as a national team to feel the backing of the Board. We think it's logic."

Argentina are due to play two Test matches against Wales and one against New Zealand this summer.

The Pumas players added in the letter that they "want to play" the internationals but also want things to be solved.

The UAR have serious financial problems and meet on Wednesday with the Provincial Unions in a bid to avoid bankruptcy.

Comments
Posted by Big Blue on May 24, 2006 05:25 PM | Reply to this comment

Does this mean Phall will come out in sympathy and not travel to Galway?

Posted by hugh on May 24, 2006 06:22 PM | Reply to this comment

always thought Phall was a tory

Posted by hugues on May 24, 2006 06:56 PM | Reply to this comment

A shame to see some good rugby countries "going down" because of the money.

Posted by Garyipa on May 24, 2006 09:26 PM | Reply to this comment

Yes the sooner we adopt the semi pro model the better

Posted by hugues on May 25, 2006 04:04 PM | Reply to this comment

The problem is that the top International sides will go further with professionnalism.
So the World Rugby Cup will be reduced at 5/6 countries

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