Rugby Championship organizers and Rugby Australia issued a formal apology after excluding the Argentinian Rugby from the team photoshoot. Argentinian coach Mario Ledesma said that he and his side felt disrespected after being left out in such a manner. Earlier, New Zealand won the Rugby Championship by beating the South Africans, Australia finished in third place while Argentina stood at fourth with each side still having one game to play.
We were disrespected. There was] a video. Everyone is joking and having a good time. Our captain is not there. How do you think we feel about that? How would you feel about that if Australia was treated that way? There should be a little common sense and say guys, ‘we are four teams over here, we cannot make a picture and a video with one captain missing’. Even if it’s lost in translation. It’s not an excuse or valid.
Mario Ledesma, Argentina Rugby coach
Sanzaar and Rugby Australia management would like to apologise to Argentina Rugby for the error that led to a photograph being published in the media that misrepresented The Rugby Championship in that it omitted Argentina. Unfortunately, a late travel change then meant that the Argentina captain could not make the designated time for the photo session.
SANZAAR