Expand the Tri-Nations to include Argentina and the Pacific Islands

The annual Tri-Nations rugby tournament played between Australia, New Zealand and South Africa (known as SANZAR) is a poor showcase of rugby for the Southern Hemisphere. The test matches are popular but the competition itself is not. Fans of many nationalities have been vocal on various rugby forums in opposing the alterations (set for 2006-2011) of having the existing three teams play eachother three times.

The changes are negative because:
- It is regressive not progressive
- The Tri-Nations is a dull competition.
- The changes are motivated at obtaining larger profits rather than looking after the interests of the sport.
- It is greedy
- Top players from all three countries have spoken in opposition to the Tri-Nations.
- The current format and SANZARs new one to begin from 2006 are far too repetitive. This will make the tournament even less interesting.
- It will do nothing to improve the quality of rugby in the Southern Hemisphere and will further restrict tours and Internationals against other teams.
- Despite requests Argentina, Fiji, Samoa and Tonga have all be excluded.
- Argentina have proven they are good enough by beating France four times in a row including in November 2004, one week after Australia were defeated by France.
- SANZAR has a false belief that fans pay to see the Tri-Nations tournament. Fans pay to see New Zealand play against South Africa and Australia, etc. The Tri-Nations is of little or no importance to the vast majority.
- The competition will do nothing to make World Cups more competitive. But if SANZAR were to expand it could directly contribute by improving the competitiveness of second tier teams (Fiji,Samoa and Tonga). nb. Argentina is a first tier country.
- The changes are not democratic and not representative to the players or the fans.

Instead of changing the format so each team plays three games please change it so it is one game versus eachother in a 5, 6 or 7 Nations format. e.g. in the form of New Zealand, Australia, South Africa + Argentina + Top Pacific team = 5 Nations. A failure to do so is detrimental to the sport and will prevent future matches against such opposition from having any competitiveness. Please take expand the Tri-Nations into new locations rather than merely adding more games to the existing three team format.