Argentina are joining the Tri-nations.

It was confirmed on Monday by SANZAR that Argentine will be joining the Southern Hemisphere showpiece rugby tournament from 2012 to create a new 4 team tournament.

It’s a welcome addition to a largely monotonous schedule, and Argentina thoroughly deserve greater international exposure after receiving little help from the IRB or SANZAR thus far.

It marks a great development for Argentinian rugby. Most of their professional players currently play in Europe, and this will hopefully boost the game in Argentina. Assurances have also been made to ensure Argentina field their strongest side, regardless of where their players are based.

The tournament will be played at the conclusion of the new Super 15, from about mid-August through to mid-October. In Rugby World Cup years the format will be abbreviated and played in July/August.

The tournament format will consist of each nation playing one another on a home and away basis. This means there will be 12 matches in total (increasing from the current total of 9). Each side will play a total of 6 matches, meaning each existing side does not play any additional number of games.

It will also help the Springboks who have always had the hardest travel schedule. Whilst it still won’t be easy, there will be less matches for the Springboks in Australasia, and hopefully the tours can become shorter.

Finally after all years of talking it will be great to see the superpowers help a developing rugby nation, and I suspect it can only help Argentinian rugby.