Why Hamish McLennan wants Argentinian Pumas to star for Australian Super Rugby sides

The UAR advised Jaguares players earlier this year to take deals offshore if they could find them, and the Force have already signed star halfback Tomas Cubelli and Julian Montoya. And rival Australian Super Rugby clubs expect the Western Australian franchise to add more Argentinians to the fold in coming weeks.

McLennan – who has previously spoken about his desire to bolster the strength of Super Rugby by bringing more foreign players into the fold – endorsed the Force’s initiative.

“I applaud the Western Force for making those moves. We should Argentina out and to help create the world’s best Super Rugby competition,” McLennan told the Herald.

“I spoke to Gus Pichot on Sunday, who was obviously thrilled (with Argentina’s win on Saturday).

“He’s a good man and he has gone to great lengths to support his players. We should support him.”

McLennan also extended an olive branch to South Africa.

While a large chunk of the Springboks’ World Cup winning squad now play in Europe, the remainder of the Super Rugby talent who do not wish to follow the five franchises to Europe’s Pro14 competition are welcome in Australia.

“We offer (South African Rugby CEO) Jurie Roux the same courtesy,” McLennan said.

“We will take some players from South Africa, if we can.”

Rugby Australia’s current foreign player rules are flexible for each Australian franchise.

Head office determine potential signings on a case-by-case basis. The Force are afforded the most leniency when applying to have foreign players feature in their Super Rugby squad, followed by the Brumbies and Rebels.

Traditional heartland states NSW and Queensland are not afforded the same luxury.

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That’s not currently a major concern for the Reds – who are understood to have already spent the majority of what will be a reduced salary cap next season – but sources have told the Herald the Waratahs are open to bringing Argentinian players to Sydney, given the exodus of experienced players from the club.

The Jaguares’ favourite pit stop throughout Super Rugby is in Sydney – when they stay at Coogee’s Crowne Plaza – and superstar forward Pablo Matera has previously spoken about his desire to one day play for the Waratahs.

“He loves being here, he loves surfing, he would love to play over here for the Waratahs,” Ledesma said of Matera last year.

“He is going to Paris after the World Cup but I think he would love to play here.

“The dream is to play for Argentina, obviously, but if he had to choose a franchise it would be this one (Waratahs).”

But Waratahs fans desperate for a big signing shouldn’t get too carried away. The Pumas skipper is contracted to the Paris based European giant Stade Francais until the end of 2022.