In December 2009, 20 cities and towns around New Zealand will be named as bases for each of the teams participating in Rugby World Cup 2011 (RWC 2011).
The appointment of team bases has involved a broad consultative process including extensive audits by Rugby New Zealand 2011 Ltd (RNZ 2011) staff and visiting delegations from many of the participating nations.
Argentinean Team Manager Rodrigo Jiménez Salice has been visiting New Zealand taking stock of the facilities in each of the cities that will host Argentinean matches.
Explaining his role, Jiménez Salice said "Our High Performance team works to give the coaches, physiotherapists, doctors, nutritionists and most importantly the players everything they need to be comfortable."
The Pumas who have been placed in Pool B for RWC 2011 will play two matches in Christchurch, one in Invercargill and one in Palmerston North.
"All the places I have visited have amazing facilities and great infrastructure for Rugby. The hotels, training venues, gymnasiums and swimming pools are all excellent. I believe New Zealand will be well placed to host a great Rugby World Cup with these types of facilities," he said.
His standards are high, wanting to provide the best experience for the Pumas to make their stay in New Zealand in 2011 as comfortable as possible.
"Some of the hotels are perfect - comfortable, private, small, so the team can be together and feel like they are at home. This is important for them as it is a very intense time. They need maximum concentration, maximum focus on what they came here for so that can compete at their best."
There will be high expectations on the Pumas following their best ever Rugby World Cup performance success at RWC 2007 where they placed third. The Argentinean High Performance team will be doing their upmost to ensure the team have everything they need while in New Zealand.
RWC 2011 - ARGENTINIAN MATCHES
Argentina v England, September 10, Stadium Christchurch, Christchurch
Argentina v Play-off winner, September 17, Rugby Park, Invercargill
Argentina v Scotland, September 25, Stadium Christchurch, Christchurch
Argentina V Europe 1, October 2, Arena Manawatu, Palmerston North
