Jaguares prepped for Super Rugby return

28/02/2024 07:40

Argentina’s Jaguares could be catapulted back into Super Rugby as a replacement for the financially-threatened Melbourne Rebels.

According to the New Zealand Herald, Super Rugby officials have prepped the Jaguares to return to the competition in 2025, depending on whether the Rebels can escape their financial turmoil.

The Jaguares made the Super Rugby final in 2019 before being ejected from the tournament in 2020 as the Covid-19 pandemic halted international travel.

Six months ago, Argentina Rugby president Gabriel Travelaglini revealed the Jaguares had been invited to return to Super Rugby in 2026, but the team could return a season ahead of schedule.

New Zealand Rugby and Rugby Australia are both fearful of the financial impact that the Rebels’ collapse could have on broadcasting revenue and the Jaguares have reportedly been lined up as a contingency plan for the 2025 season.

According to the Herald, the Jaguares would be ready if they are given an early call, with former Argentina captain and ex-World Rugby vice chairman Agustin Pichot “pulling the strings”.

The team would, however, have a very different look to the international-laden side that faced the Crusaders in the 2019 final, as they would be operating on a lean budget.

This comes after the Rebels fell into voluntary administration last month. The team’s entire high-performance staff, including head coach Kevin Foote, have had their contracts taken over by Rugby Australia and issued until 30 June.

Photo: Dianne Manson/Getty Images

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