Argentina claim most southerly venue
DUNEDIN, the last port of call for many Antarctic explorers back in the day before they headed south, is about to lose its claim to being the most southerly Test venue in the world, and by some distance as it happens.
Historic Carisbrook – now the House of Pain – in Dunedin is situated at 45.52S but next month Saturday rugby will arrive at Stadio Agustin Pichot in Ushuaia at the tip of Argentina at some 54.48S.
Ushuaia is a considerable naval port and featured prominently during the Falklands War. It is also the centre of the tourist industry which serves the cruises around Terra Del Fuego. It has a flourishing rugby community and next Saturday Argentina will host neighbours Chile in a regular Americas Cup fixture. Argentina usually field a second XV in the tournament but all their opponents look on them as full Tests and award caps accordingly.
You certainly clock up the airmiles if you are an Argentinian player. They started their ARC campaign last night against USA in Los Angeles some 11,000km away so a long trip is in prospect, via Buenos Aires before the game in Ushuaia.
From there they travel to Punta De Este to meet a Uruguay side ‘fresh’ from their World Cup double header against Canada. And they finish this year’s tournament with a short hop along the coast to play Brazil at Sao Jose dos Campos.