All Blacks assistant coach Steve Hansen has cautioned against rushing Pacific Island nations and Argentina into southern hemisphere rugby competitions.

Teams such world No 4 Argentina and the good news story of the tournament so far, Tonga, have used the last three weeks to push their case for more regular top level competition.

Wallabies coach John Connolly has called for Tonga, Fiji and Samoa to all be included in the existing Super 14.

Tonga pushed South Africa close last weekend while their two Pacific neighbours have lived up to tradition by being competitive and entertaining but not matching the level of the world's premier teams.

Connolly said the International Rugby Board needed to act quickly before a lack of coaching and resources in the islands began to widen the gap.

"The Super 14 is the first step. It's sitting there," Connolly said.

"Argentina is sitting there for a Tri Nations (berth). Those things have to be done sooner rather than later .... (otherwise) in four years time we'll be having the same discussion."

Hansen wasn't convinced, pointing out that most of the current Pacific Island players were based in Europe and committed to their French and English clubs.

Building strong national teams without those players would be difficult, he said.

"Is it a reality that they're going to be able to field such a strong side?" Hansen asked.

"You can say the same thing about Argentina."

A "Quad Nations" involving New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and Argentina would be a logistical nightmare and hellish for the players, Hansen said.

"You'd have to go all around the world to play the tournament.

"You just couldn't ask players to go to South Africa and then go to Argentina in the same tournament. It's way too much travel."

Earlier in the tournament veteran centre Aaron Mauger said the Pumas would be "refreshing" opponents but could see why it was a problem finding a place for them.

"They'd have to move everything and make a professional structure in Argentina and bring the players back to Argentina to play," Mauger said.

"It is impossible to have a double season to play Tri-Nations and then play in Europe. That's why it's not only the thing of saying, 'okay give the Pumas a competition'. They have to make a proper structure. Rugby is a business so you have to show them the Pumas can be a good business."

NZPA