Pumas near Tri-Nations as Boks clash confirmed
A full-strength Pumas side will travel for the World Cup semi-final rematch against the eventual champions in between the away and home legs of the Springboks’ Tri-Nations campaign.
“(This) is the first fixture in a commitment by the Sanzar nations to ultimately incorporate the South American country into their competitions,” the statement read, referring to the body grouping the big three in the southern hemisphere Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
“Argentina have confirmed that they will have their strongest possible team available for the match as they have secured the release of their top players based in Europe,” South Africa Rugby managing director Jonathan Stones added.
There will be added importance to their 13th meeting with seedings for the 2011 Rugby World Cup based on the International Rugby Board’s (IRB) rankings, as of December 1, 2008. South Africa are ranked first and Argentina third.
Meanwhile Danny Cipriani was finally given something to smile about last night, three days after suffering a badly broken ankle, when he was voted young player of the year by his fellow professionals.
Cipriani beat Harlequins scrum-half Danny Care and Wasps team-mate James Haskell to be awarded the Nick Duncombe Memorial Trophy at last night’s English Professional Rugby Players’ Association gala dinner.
But the 20-year-old Wasps fly-half was not able to collect his award in person after suffering a dislocated fracture of his right ankle in Sunday’s Guinness Premiership semi-final win over Bath.
The PRA player of the year award was won by Cipriani’s Wasps team-mate Riki Flutey, with Bath centre Olly Barkley in second place and Gloucester winger James Simpson-Daniel third.
Flutey said: “It’s been awesome having the opportunity to play in a new position at 12 and I’ve really enjoyed my season playing there.”
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