SANZAR chief executive Greg Peters said Thursday he was quitting the southern hemisphere body for a new role helping Argentina settle into an expanded Super Rugby competition next year.
The New Zealander — who has headed South Africa, New Zealand and Australia Rugby (SANZAR) since 2010 — said his new position was general secretary of the Argentina Rugby Union (UAR).
“This is the right juncture to seek a new professional opportunity,” he said in a statement.
The Super Rugby competition will increase from 15 to 18 teams in 2016, with a Buenos Aires-based franchise joining South Africa’s Southern Kings and fellow newcomers Japan.
Peters told the UAR website that part of his role would involve ensuring the Argentinian Super Rugby team’s smooth integration into the competition.
He said he would also provide strategic advice to help Argentinian rugby maximise its growth opportunities.
Rugby in Argentina, the lone top-tier rugby nation in South America, is still largely amateur and the Super Rugby team is seen as a way of stopping elite players heading overseas.
The Argentina national team joined the Rugby Championship in 2012, increasing its Test exposure to southern hemisphere powerhouses New Zealand, South Africa and Australia.
Los Pumas showed their progress last year with a maiden win in the competition, when they came from behind to beat Australia 21-17 in Mendoza.