Argentina and Chile Reach Agreement to Boost Chilean Rugby

Argentina and Chile have reached an agreement to boost Chilean Rugby. The Unión Argentina de Rugby and Chile Rugby met in Buenos Aires together with Sudamérica Rugby, the latter of which facilitated the discussions.

Sudamérica Rugby President Marcelo Rodríguez explained “we have been working with Chile Rugby in order for them to continue growing and searching for the best for them.”

Rodríguez and Víctor Luaces, Sudamérica Rugby Secretary, participated in the meeting, providing her strategic vision of a united and developing region. Present from the UAR was President Carlos Araujo in addition to Carlos Barbieri and Andrés Chavanne. Chile Rugby President, Jorge Araya, pictured below to the left, was also involved.

The UAR offered a variety of assistance to Chile Rugby. Logistical and technical support were among the feature points of discussion. Avaya met with Los Pumas Head Coach Daniel Hourcade and Argentine Development Officer Diego Manson to discuss the sporting details.

It is to begin with a complete diagnosis of the amateur game in Chile and go up to that of the elite. Upon identification plans are to be set in place for Chile Rugby to capitalize on technical areas to help make Chile more competitive in the region.

An urgent need was identified to implement a Development and Coaching plan both for the medium and long term.

Araya stated that “Chile has a great opportunity to be able to grow and develop our game, organization and structure just like World Rugby has asked and like the modern world requires.”

“We have the opportunity of working alongside a world power and to learn from them, developing activities on the whole.”

“We thank Sudamérica Rugby, President Marcelo Rodríguez and Secretary Víctor Luaces, for making it possible to meet with Carlos Araujo and his team. I was treated very well and trusted to work together to improve rugby in Chile.”

Lastly, Araujo explained that “the UAR takes pride in being able to provide assistance and rugby developmental collaboration in the region. In this instance, aiding Chilean rugby in every way that is possible represents a great responsibility and we assume it with great interest. We would like for South America to continue growing and for the momentum to build further behind the Americas Rugby Championship, one must take advantage of this.”

According to World Rugby data Chile has 11,977 registered rugby players. This is third in South America, behind Argentina (105,151) and Brazil (16,659). Chile is ranked 30th in the world. Los Cóndores finished bottom of both the 2016 and 2017 Americas Rugby Championship tournaments. It is hoped that assistance will make for a more competitive Chile for the upcoming Rugby World Cup qualifiers.