In the absence of the final stage of the World Rugby Sevens Series 2022/23, Los Pumas 7 finished second in the rankings for the first time in their history, surpassing the third place achieved in the 2003/2004 season, after winning a medal against New Zealand. Silver in the sevens of Toulouse, falling in definition in extra time 24–19. Furthermore, in this tournament, the national team secured a ticket to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Similarly, the New Zealand team (fifth consecutive title in the year) was crowned champions of the season in WRSS.
Beyond the shock finals, the current season will be one to remember for the Argentina national team, as they reached the finals five times, a historic record at the national level, and went on to become one of the best teams with a high level of play in the world. , the result of the effort and work of each member of the establishment.
The Argentine closed a great tournament in Toulouse, both in collective and individual performance, if we refer to the statistics of the tournament on French soil, which is the final part of the season. The national team was the one that scored the most points (173), supported the most tries (27) and scored the most conversions (19). In addition, Marcos Moneta was the top scorer (45) and triesman of the tournament (with 9 wins), while Santiago Vera Feld finished as the leader in the conversion table (12 hits).
Santiago Álvarez, one of the captains of the squad, expressed himself after a new final in the season: «We go to the final with a bitter taste, but we have to see the whole film and everything that this tournament was. This is very positive. We had great games and executed our game system very well, even in the finals, but we had a team that also made us uncomfortable. Everything is learning and we go back happy because the first objective was to qualify for the Olympic Games and we achieved it. We have to keep working on mistakes and keep improving.”
In the first match of the day, the national team confirmed a ranking gap with Canada, fourteenth, by defeating them 33–5 in the semi-finals and thus qualifying for a new final. Leading 26-0 going into halftime, the Pumas 7 were the ones to settle the game in the first half, almost never giving their opponent a chance to get close to their goal. The second half was the going for the match as the Canadians would get to the try, but it was not enough to reach their first goal of the season.
The Pumas 7 was formed against Canada as follows: German Schulz Augustin Fraga, Luciano Gonzalez, gaston rebellion (Captain), James Vera Feld, Rodrigo Isgro and Marcos Moneta; Then came Thomas Elizalde, Joaquín Pellandini, Santiago Álvarez Fourcade, Tobias Wade and Matteo Graziano. loss tries to He was supported by Rodrigo Isgro (2), Marcos Moneta, Agustín Fraga and Matteo Graziano; Santiago Vera Feld got two conversions, while Luciano Gonzalez and Gaston Revol added one each.
The definition of competition saw Los Pumas 7 and the All Blacks face off for the fourth time this season. The balance of the last three was two maritime victories and one Argentine. This time the victory was going to be of New Zealand. In a very even match, in which Argentina held a slight 19–7 halftime advantage, New Zealand accelerated in the second half and took advantage of some mistakes by the national team, scoring 19 runs to take the game into overtime. -19. Finally, Roderick Solo scored the championship try in a run of pure speed.
The formation of the Argentina team at the grand final in Toulouse was as follows: German Schulz Augustin Fraga, Luciano Gonzalez, gaston rebellion (Captain), James Vera Feld, Rodrigo Isgro and Marcos Moneta; Then entered, Joaquin Pelandini, James Alvarez Fourcade and Tobias Wade. Matteo Graziano and Tomás Elizalde did not perform. Argentina’s efforts were supported by Marcos Moneta, German Schulz and Agustín Fraga; Santiago Vera Feld and Luciano Gonzalez shared a close conversion.
Road to the silver medal in Toulouse
Argentina 29 vs Germany 7 – Group Stage
Argentina 21 vs Espana 19 – Group Stage
Argentina 50 v Great Britain 0 – Group Stage
Argentina 21 v South Africa 12 (Gold Quarter Final)
Argentina 33 v Canada 5 (Gold Semifinal)
Argentina 17 v New Zealand 24 (Final Gold)
