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International competition is healthy within the Americas. The Americas Rugby Championship and Americas Rugby Challenge have enhanced test rugby within the region. The upcoming introduction of promotion and relegation will only advance rugby in the region further.
A vital part of the international calendar are the incoming and outgoing tours, or the July and November Internationals. Argentina hosts three mid-year matches and tours Europe for three tests in November. During the past RWC cycle Uruguay hosted the Nations Cup and toured in November. The present article uses this as a starting point to identify Ten Desired Test Rugby Tours to and from South America.
INCOMING TOURS
JAPAN TO ARGENTINA & URUGUAY
The hosts of RWC 2019 captured the imagination of many. Their exploits in defeating Ireland and Scotland surely underlined the Brave Blossoms as a Tier 1 team? Test match competition between South Americans and the Asian country could be more frequent. Indeed, Uruguay toured Japan in 2014 and Argentina played one test in Japan in 2016, yet otherwise it was 2005 when Japan last played in South America. Montevideo ought to attract a strong crowd as too should the matches in Argentina.
Proposal: Argentina vs Japan (2); Uruguay vs Japan (1).
FIJI TO ARGENTINA & URUGUAY
Uruguay shocked the world in Kamaishi. Los Teros’ in over Fiji was a mighty upset and it should be acted upon. Efforts ought to be made to have that fixture again. The Estadio Charrúa has world class facilities and for the URU hosting a RWC 2019 rematch against Fiji looms as a marketing dream. Fiji last played in Argentina in 2003, meaning that at least one game against Argentina is also warranted. Ideally this would be a four match tour with Fiji playing both teams twice.
Proposal: Argentina vs Fiji (2); Uruguay vs Fiji (2).
GEORGIA TO SOUTH AMERICA
Georgia have been to South America before on more than one occasion. However, it would be great to see a genuine tour with three, or more, test matches. If three is the number then two against Uruguay and one against Argentina is the best option. However, two matches vs each would be even better. Georgia has played both Argentina and Uruguay at multiple RWCs, making this is simple and marketable fit for the administrative teams of the UAR and URU.
Proposal: Argentina vs Georgia (1); Uruguay vs Georgia (2).
TONGA TO SOUTH AMERICA
Tonga has toured Chile in the past and could do so again. Chile’s recent home games vs Romania, Spain and the Maori All Blacks suggest that Los Cóndores merit such a fixture. Argentina vs Tonga at RWCs 2015 and 2019 are examples of why Los Pumas vs Tonga is worth working towards. Moreover, Uruguay’s win over Fiji raises a question as to whether Los Teros could also defeat Tonga? Thereby a three match tour in the July window is desirable and certainly possible. A comparable Samoan tour to South America is also desired.
Proposal: Chile vs Tonga (1); Argentina vs Tonga (1); Uruguay vs Tonga (1).
ITALY TO URUGUAY
Italy have played once in Argentina in each RWC cycle since RWC 2007. June 2005 was the last time in which Italy toured to play two test matches against Los Pumas. Evidently, an Italian tour to Argentina is behind schedule. Rather than combining a tour of North America with Argentina, separate tours are arguably more appropriate. Thus, Italy touring in July to face Argentina twice and Uruguay once is appropriate.
Proposal: Uruguay vs Italy (1); Argentina vs Italy (2).
OUTGOING TOURS
ARGENTINA TO PACIFIC ISLANDS
Due to a range of factors including costs, geography and dates, the Pacific Islands continue to wait for Los Pumas. However, with Los Jaguares and Los Ceibos a team could be assembled at any time for such a tour to Oceania. The tour itself could work in November or even December, depending on the Pacific island unions. It should also be noted that Argentina returning to play Spain and facing Georgia in Tbilisi are warranted tour fixtures.
Proposal: Fiji vs Argentina (1); Samoa vs Argentina (1); Tonga vs Argentina (1).
COLOMBIA TO AFRICA
The norm of tours are to Europe. This certainly is an option for Colombia. A three match tour to Belgium, Germany and Switzerland is such an example. However, why not something different? Why not take Los Tucanes to Africa? This possibility could include a test match against RWC 1995 competitors Cotê d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast). It would also facilitate the planning of future tours against higher ranked opposition in Africa. Up until 2017 Colombia played Peru and Venezuela annually in the South American B Championship.
Proposal: Morocco vs Colombia (1); Nigeria vs Colombia (1); Ivory Coast vs Colombia (1).
BRAZIL TO AFRICA
The RWC 2015-2019 cycle was unprecedented for Brazil. Never before had Os Tupis played with such regularity nor against as many opponents. Results underlined the return on the investment. Planning ahead, future tours are a given and a tour of Africa is a great option. Such a tour could give Brazil a match against an RWC opponent in Namibia. Given Brazil’s performances in the ARC such a match makes sense. Of note is that Brazil is well-linked to Africa. São Paulo has direct flights to five African countries.
Proposal: Uganda vs Brazil (1); Kenya vs Brazil (1); Namibia vs Brazil (1).
URUGUAY TO GEORGIA, ITALY
A repeat tour for Uruguay to Namibia is desired. So too are further tests against the likes of Spain and Germany as are opportunities against RWC competing countries. Georgia and Italy are the two that Uruguay should prioritize. With this in mind a desired November tour for Uruguay would see two matches against Georgia and one against Italy.
Proposal: Georgia vs Uruguay (2); Georgia vs Italy (1)
CHILE TO ASIA
Chile played host to South Korea in November 2016. The two match series saw the teams each winning one match, with the second seeing Chile blowing a 31-point lead to lose at home. It goes without saying that a return tour is desirable. Such a tour could be part of a wider tour to Asia to see Chile taking-on Asia’s Rugby Championship teams – Hong Kong, Malaysia and South Korea. This being the case then a four match tour is the ideal scenario.
Proposal: South Korea vs Chile (2); Hong Kong vs Chile (1); Malaysia vs Chile (1).
- Incoming Tours are July
- Outgoing Tours are November
