It may be the festive season, but there aren’t many happy tidings to be found around rugby just now.

Fortunately the news that zoomed into my in-box about Argentina’s participation in Super Rugby is more than encouraging. The Jaguares, as they will be known, have got off to a flying start by naming a first class coaching team, top players and even a rash of social media platforms. This is all good.

Having for years asked to be let into the party, the Argentines have delivered on this front by getting organised well in time, much of it thanks to Greg Peters, the former head of Sanzar.

As years of experience have taught us, the off-season is everything with conditioning ultimately determining who wins the marathon event. The Jaguars are already hard at work, knowing full well the difference in pace between rugby in the south and the north, where many used to play.

For years the Argentines were the great Corinthians of the game, but times have changed and they are now more professional than ever. They are rugby thoroughbreds and deserve to be immersed in first-rate competition. Super Rugby is it, and the consequences for the national team could be massive.

Los Pumas already have the major scalps of France, South Africa and Australia. Given the impetus of Super Rugby, they could become real heavyweights on a consistent basis.

They’ve chosen a fine player in Agustin Creevy to captain the Jaguares and could hardly have done better. The man from La Plata was the best hooker at the World Cup and led his team to the final four by playing heroic rugby.

“My responsibility and senses are fully focused on what is coming,” he said.

Raúl Pérez has been appointed head coach with Felipe Contepomi, José Pellicena and Martín Gaitán to serve as assistants.

Quite apart from the positive impact their participation will have domestically, the impact on Super Rugby will be considerable. The Pumas have a game all their own, with a deep love of the scrum combined with dynamic running backs.

We get to see them first, too, when they run out in Bloemfontein in 72 days’ time.

Their participation could be the lifeblood the tournament needs.

Jaguares Social Media

Website: www.jaguares.com.ar
Twitter: @JaguaresARG
Facebook: /JaguaresARG
Instagram: @JaguaresARG
Hashtag: #JaguaresEnSuperRugby