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Last Updated: Tuesday, 30 May 2006, 23:58 GMT 00:58 UK
Argentina confirm summer fixtures
Argentina hooker Mario Ledesma
Mario Ledesma led the players' dispute with the Union
The Argentina Rugby Union (UAR) has announced it will fulfil its international fixtures for this year.

This summer's Test matches against Wales (two) and New Zealand looked in doubt after 60 Pumas players said they would not play for the national team.

The players said they felt the UAR did not listen to their views on payments and the standard of facilities.

However, the UAR released a statement on Tuesday saying the Pumas would be playing their upcoming matches.

"The Argentinian Rugby Union inform that the national teams will play all their international duels," said the statement.

"We will keep on working all together for the good of Argentinian rugby."

It's about much more than money

Argentina hooker Mario Ledesma

Wales leave for Argentina on 1 June and play two Test matches, the first in Puerto Madryn, Patagonia, on 11 June and the second in Buenos Aires on 17 June.

New Zealand are then due to play the Pumas in the Argentine capital on 24 June.

Although they insist it will not affect their performances in June, the players' rift with the Union runs deep.

They will continue to pursue their complaints, and have spoken of lies, hypocrisy and a lack of respect.

The UAR is in protected receivership, meaning it can continue trading but cannot be forced to pay creditors.

The Union is seeking to renegotiate commercial contracts to deal with an economic crisis after losing a costly court case against Jose Bustamante, an Argentine player left quadriplegic when he was injured in a domestic game.

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As a result, the UAR informed its international players their pay would be slashed for the Tests against Wales and New Zealand.

European-based players have to pay their own costs to return to Argentina to play the games.

As well as being unhappy over treatment of home-based players, non-payment of match fees and expenses, the players want the UAR to upgrade the facilities in Argentina to the level of other Test-playing nations.

UAR president Alejandro Risler claimed that the players' concerns were largely about money, but Pumas hooker Mario Ledesma vehemently denies this.

"It's about much more than money, the UAR has not been telling the truth," said Ledesma.

"It's not so much the professional players in Europe - we are concerned about the guys in Argentina who get nothing."

Clermont Auvergne star Ledesma says Argentina are 20 years behind the rest of the world's top rugby nations and should not be playing such sides if their game continues to be run at such an amateur level.

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