The unspeakable Andrew Lloyd Webber was central to the series. If ever Lloyd Webber was sentenced to death and there was a competition to press the button, there would be multiple entries from this quarter. He did compose a couple of half decent songs, with Don't Cry For Me Argentina near the top of the list. Maybe he could pen a new song called How do you solve a problem like the Argies?

Ireland play Argentina in the Coupe de Monde in France on Sunday 30 September. I think that only referee Paul Honiss, a great friend of Irish rugby, will be able to separate the two teams.

I believe Ireland are a champion side and one that is looking to fulfil its potential, nay destiny, at this coming World Cup but they have a serious impediment in their way in the pool stages.

Argentina have us for fire-power in every position except 6, 7, 8, 12, 13 and 14. Irrespective of how Ireland perform against Bernard Laporte's bizarrely selected squad the week before, I take Ireland to be underdogs against Argentina. How the Latins are in such a strong position, given the structure and condition of rugby inside and outside of their borders, is incredulous.

I was lucky enough to be sent to Argentina for the recent test series. Both games were low grade in terms of quality and entertainment but I don't necessarily agree that they won't have a bearing on events in three months time. I did however enjoy the experience . . . except for the lunatic driving. The people were warm, proud and patriotic, something which I will mention later in this article.

Disorganisation seems to be a virtue. In the corridors of the Velez Sarsfield I bumped into one of the Union Argentine de Rugby (UAR) officials who I had known for a long time. The conversation turned to the Scots, struggling to support regional professional teams. One of their proposed solutions was to go down the road of the 'Argentine model' . . . continue to have an amateur game in Scotland, no professional regional sides and let your good players become pros and scatter them to England, France and Italy. God bless the pygmies charged with administering the game in Scotland . . . it would have been their death-knell. My friend from the UAR was puzzled to find out which model the Scots were talking about. He laughed out loud.

From a population of 40 million, they have a playing population of 75,000, from a club base of circa 300 . . . most of which are based in Buenos Aires. The geographical and logistical spread though is enormous. They have serious difficulties in progressing their game . . . firstly, they have no money and secondly, nobody wants them.

The UAR are, to a certain degree, constricted by the state of the economy. The game in Argentina, more so than anywhere else, is an upper middle class sport, so you'd imagine the price of a ticket wouldn't be a consideration for supporters of Los Pumas. Unfortunately it is.

When the IRFU are hawking a pair of ten-year tickets for 30,000, people are getting killed in the rush. In Santa Fe general admission was 30 pesos ( 7).

There was a section of premium seats on the half-way line which cost 80 pesos ( 20) and there was one bloke sitting in splendid isolation in a bank of orange seats.

Even with a 70 per cent gate the UAR barely covers costs. The programme was covered with ads but ESPN weren't exactly paying premium rates and stadium hoardings were sparse.

There have been fractious disputes between the pros and the union over fees and player payments. Nobody is saying how much the Pumas get for a matchday fee but it doesn't compare well with any of the top-10 nations. You would wonder why a lot of the Argentine players bother their arses to travel from France or England half way across the world for a pittance.

The answer was mentioned at the start of the piece . . . they are a proud and patriotic nation.

I've never seen so many flags flying in one city. You'd have thought they wouldn't mind Willie Anderson nicking just one of them. There is a Corinthian spirit imbued in Los Pumas' character. They talk passionately about what it means to play for Argentina. I have listened to players like Agustin Pichot talk about love of country and of team and it ain't lip service, it truly is death or glory.

Anytime I have watched Felipe Contepomi play in this country he has always given a good account of himself but when he puts on the light blue-and-white jersey he becomes supercharged. Argentinean rugby, despite the perilous state of its finances, organisation and structure, can count on the fact that once its players come home they are prepared to do more than just die for the jersey. They will kill for it.

There are over 300 rugby players plying their trade outside the country and how they can keep a vibrant amateur game going without the top stars at home goes against all sporting logic and economic thought.

The second major problem for the Pumas is that nobody wants them. Over the years the IRB have waffled about the need for countries like Samoa, Fiji and Tonga to become stronger and more autonomous. They would give more financial backing to these unions, promote them and organise better schedules and fixtures and invest in the playing infrastructure: schools, academies etc. Utter tosh of course.

The New Zealand and Australian Rugby Unions want nothing of the sort. They are quite happy to subjugate these island nations so they can nick their best players like, for example, All Blacks Joe Rokocoko (from Fiji), Jerry Collins (Tonga) and Rodney Soialo (Samoa). There is no interest like self-interest.

Argentina have been crying out for a lifeline like a team in the Super-14 and a place at the trough for the Tri-Nations. Bugger off. No interest. The logistics are just too great. The 14 hours to Buenos Aires knocked the crap out of me . . . I wouldn't like to play a test match after it. What could the Argies bring to the table? Nothing really in monetary terms. Why should SANZA alter their cosy schedule and dilute their stake in the pie to accommodate the Argies?

There was a request recently to join the 6 Nations. This one was very workable. Their professional play mostly in France, they could base themselves in Spain and possibly play one home game in Buenos Aires.

Repulsed yet again, no interest.

Something has got to give shortly. The Argentine problem might be addressed, particularly if they get to the semis, which is conceivable.

I think their first XV could go along the lines of: 1. O Hasan, 2.

M Ladesma, 3. M Scelzo, 4. P Albacete, 5. I Fernandez-Lubbe, 6. JM Fernandez-Lubbe, 7. M Durand, 8. G Longo, 9. A Pichot, 10. F Contepomi, 11. I Corleto, 12. M Contepomi, 13. H Senilosa, 14. M Gaitan, 15. JM Hernandes This team is capable of beating anyone, except New Zealand A&B. Defensively strong, malleable in the scramble and cynical when needs be (all the time).

An intercept and a penalty try was all Ireland got out of them.

Even with our superstars back we will struggle to score.

With all our systems in place, structure, discipline and strategy, Ireland should be well ahead.

The Argies will be together for two months solving their problems. I've a horrible feeling.