After the Puma’s amazing run in the Rugby World Cup in France and Third-place finish, it would have seemed like a great time for the people in charge of the sport in the land of the Gauchos to try to get a professional league started to keep up with the development of the game.

More than a few starters for the Pumas have been speaking out against the UAR. Today, Argentina prop Rodrigo Roncero has joined the growing chorus of voices who have blasted authorities in his country for their dogmatic approach to professionalism. He believes authorities in his country are wasting the opportunity to elevate the Pumas’ standing in world rugby.
But the Stade Français front row is concerned that little has been heard on the subject in recent months.

“I truly expected things to happen quicker,” Roncero, 30, told rugbyfun.com.ar (And quoted in Planetrugby.com)

“Up to now, we haven’t achieved anything and things are getting colder and colder.

“We need to be involved in competitions more often and not to just play a World Cup every four years.

“2007 was by far the best sporting year I have had but at the same time it’s a challenge to be able to continue it.”

His remarks follows the recent revelations that the Argentinian Rugby Union (UAR) rejected a change to its statutes which would allow professionalism in Argentina’s domestic leagues.

In an extraordinary meeting, the 23 Provincial Union delegates voted unanimously to reject the change.

The move angered many in Argentina rugby, and is a significant setback for the Pumas.

Argentina needs to have a successfully-functioning professional league before it can be considered for inclusion in either the Tri-Nations or Six Nations, or having representation in the Super 14.

UAR President Alejandro Risler wants the leagues to remain amateur, but for the national squad players to be contracted to the union, an idea which has gone down like a weak prop with former Pumas skipper Agustin Pichot.

“It is unbelievable what is going on at the moment,” said Pichot, who had hoped his side’s third place in the World Cup and a sea change at the IRB would persuade the UAR and Risler to change their own stance.

“The Argentinian directors change their minds every day, and in those conditions it is difficult to get anything done. It is a disgrace.”