Argentina and Uruguay’s foreign ministers announced yesterday bilateral agreements on the environment, public works and social policies, among others. The series of agreements were carried out of the Second Binational Meeting of Ministers of both countries.

Argentine Foreign Minister Héctor Timerman described the meeting with his counterpart Luis Almagro as “very successful” and announced that both states will “implement a new scheme” for bilateral relations.

“The Joint Statement prompts the speeding up of trade matters and the improvement and expansion of bilateral trade. These are very important agreements,” said Almagro.

The ministerial conclave were stemmed of the framework of the Declaration of Anchorena, which was signed by presidents Cristina Fernández de Kirchner and José Mujica on 2nd June last year. The declaration establishes regular meetings of both ministers with the goal of establishing priorities and developing courses of action in the bilateral agenda items of both countries.

Timerman announced that both countries will implement a new scheme which will periodically assess progress and provide feedback on the dynamic integration process. He explained that they have signed agreements such as the establishment of regulations for the integration committees on humanitarian cooperation in renewable energy, science and technological innovation applied to food, biotechnology, cooperation on security and combating transnational organised crime.

Also they agreed in a commitment to work together on the dredging of the Río de la Plata and the Río Uruguay, and on issues such as fisheries, energy, sports, infrastructure, social politics, health, environment, production, trade, housing, telecommunications, agriculture and tourism.

Uruguayan and Argentine ministers will meet every six months and are to be in constant communication. Regarding energy agreements, both countries agreed to consider a regasification plant and the Salto Grande bi-national dam.

“Anything that involves a greater navigability in the border rivers is important because it provides a framework for growth in production and exports of both countries,” stated Timerman, who explained that “together we will try to carry out the dredging and prioritise business of both of our countries to help protect the environment.”

Last but not least the dream of again hosting the World Cup in Argentina began to take shape. In regard to the idea of forming a committee and run together to organize the Cup in 2030, a hundred years after its first edition in ‘tierras Charrúas’. Both ministers agreed of the creation of this bi-national committee to support the initiative by the AFA (Argentine Football Association) and the AUF (Uruguayan Football Association). This will all strengthen the promotion of the candidacy of Argentina and Uruguay for the World Champions in 2030.

According to Almagro: “The agreements that have been signed are all strategic issues for our countries which have to work the joint administration of common resources and strengthen the partnership that we already have. This meeting is not just another meeting. We certainly took a big step forward!”

Photo by Huw Evans, courtesy of IRB

Juan Pablo Estelles scores against Tonga

After the senior side’s impressive showing at the 2007 Rugby World Cup, this June it was the turn of Argentina’s Under-20s – known as Los Pumitas (little pumas) – to strut their stuff on the international stage at the Junior World Championship in Wales.

The tournament gave the Argentines the opportunity to gauge the development of their youngsters against their peers as they were pitted against the reigning Under-19 World Champions, New Zealand, Ireland and Tonga in their first phase group with only the winners progressing to the semi-finals.

With just a week’s preparation the Argentine squad, coached by Guillermo Payer and comprising only home-based amateur players, opened up in Cardiff against Ireland.

From the off the Pumitas showed their appetite for the physical challenge and forward confrontation for which Argentine rugby is renowned. Initially their enterprise went unrewarded as they were repeatedly penalised for their overzealousness at the breakdown, however as the Argentines gained their composure and gradually won the forward war of attrition, they were able to start releasing their exciting back division. A break by the Pumita midfield allowed full-back, Joaquin Tucullet to offload to winger Diego Palma to cross for the opening try.

A Benjamín Madero penalty extended Argentine advantage to ten points before three penalties from Irish fly-half, Martin Dufficy reduced the arrears and ensured Argentina were in for a nervous last half hour. Despite enjoying less possession than their opponents, the Pumitas displayed more guile and invention with ball in hand, particularly the half-back pairing of Madero and Martín Landajo. They were duly rewarded with ten minutes to go when centre, Juan Pablo Estelles intercepted a wayward Irish pass to run half the length of the pitch and score a try to seal an impressive 17-9 win.

Second up for Argentina were Tonga who had given favourites, New Zealand an almighty scare in the first half of their opening game. The powerfully built Polynesians were an even match for the Pumita pack in an extremely physical game, but the superior skill of the Argentine forwards provided a platform for their backs to perform.

A forward drive on the quarter hour mark enabled Argentina to gain field position and move the ball wide for winger and captain for the day, Belisario Agulla to cross in the corner. Tonga struck back ten minutes later before a brilliant solo break by the impressive Landajo restored Argentine superiority.

Photo by Huw Evans, courtesy of IRB

Juan Pablo Estelles takes on the New Zealand defence

In the second half after successfully defending a sustained period of Tongan pressure, Argentina pulled away after an exquisite grubber kick from Landajo split the Tongan defence for Estelles to score. Victory was crowned with a try in the corner by Madero, as the Pumitas won a bruising encounter 30-10 and set up a semi-final eliminator with New Zealand.

The final group game gave the Argentine youngsters their biggest test and a real sense of their place in the world rankings as they came up against a professional outfit boasting three members of the Super 14 winning side. Sean Maitland, Kade Poki and Nasi Manu having arrived at the competition fresh from Canterbury Crusaders’ final win over New South Wales Waratahs, a huge elevation in standard from the URBA tournament in Buenos Aires which most of the Argentines had been involved in.

As the teams lined up, the Pumitas were certainly not overawed by their more illustrious oppoenents as the Junior All Blacks performed their traditional Haka.

For the first 25 minutes the Argentine defence held firm as their forward back matched their New Zealand counterparts. However the superior skill and fitness of the Junior All Blacks began to tell as Joe Hill broke the Argentine line to put New Zealand in front. A further try by Sam Whitelocke meant that New Zealand went in at half-time with a 15-0 lead.

The second half was an altogether different matter. New Zealand repeatedly turned over Argentine ball, setting free their back division – ably directed by Man of the Match, Daniel Kirkpatrick – to created carnage in the Pumita rearguard. The Argentine cause was not helped by half of their pack being forced out of the action through injury as the heavier New Zealand forwards made their physical presence felt. A succession of tries followed to give the scoreline an unbalanced look at full time of 60-0 in favour of the Junior All Blacks. It was one which was slightly unfair on Argentina who never ceased to try and play positive rugby in the face of overwhelmingly superior opponents and subsequent tournament winners.

After the game The Argentina Independent spoke to Argentine assistant coach and hero of the Pumas epic 1999 World Cup victory over Ireland, Diego Albanese. When asked for his thoughts on the game, Albanese said: “We said to the boys before the game, we knew that to play such a good side we would have to give 100%, we did that sometimes but we cannot blame their effort, they gave their all, we were beaten by a better team, by a professional outfit. These boys are all amateurs and they were up against 15 professional rugby players and you could see the difference on the pitch today. We asked them to enjoy and to learn, and I think they did that today.”

Photo by Huw Evans, courtesy of IRB

Martin Landajo offloads against Ireland

Asked whether the fact that New Zealand players had professional experience in the Super 14 and provincial competitions had proved crucial, Albanese replied: “The thing is you know that is the difference, why our senior team is doing so well, 90% of our players are playing in Europe and you get used to it. These guys are based in Argentina and suddenly they are playing New Zealand and everything is new to them.”

On whether some his young stars like Landajo and Madero might soon be tempted by professional offers from Europe, he opined: “I hope not, well they are too young I think, these boys need to finish their studies. It is not for me to decide, it is up to them but I think they can play a couple of years in Argentina and then come to Europe.”

In the ensuing matches to finalise the minor placings, the Pumitas carrying numerous injuries went down 30-6 to France and 30-10 to Samoa as they failed to recapture their earlier verve. However on the balance of the whole competition, the Pumitas emerged with enormous credit and showed that there is plenty of talent in the wings ready to replace the golden generation of 2007.

Three to watch

Martín Landajo (Club: CASI)

An inventive scrum-half straight out of the mould of Pumas’ legend, Agustín Pichot. He was at the heart of much of Argentina’s good work during the group stage when a dominant pack gave him plenty of ball to work with, earning the Man of the Match award against Ireland.

Benjamín Madero (Club: San Isidro)

A consistent goal-kicker, Madero displayed the tactical acumen of Felipe Contepomi combined with the ability to play off the cuff like Juan Martín Hernández. However like many of his colleagues, Madero struggled against the more savvy Junior All Blacks.

Francisco Panessi (Club: Jockey Club Córdoba)

The versatile back rower was instrumental to the success of the Pumita pack during the first phase. An important figure in the lineout, his ability in the breakdown helped turnover opposition ball regularly in the opening matches. Voted the Man of the Match against Tonga.