Argentina ‘hungrier’ to win Cape Town SVNS after Dubai heartbreak
For the second time in as many weeks, the Los Pumas Sevens will sing Himno Nacional Argentino with gusto and passion as they prepare for a rugby war that will determine a champion.
Argentina were beaten by South Africa in a thrilling Dubai SVNS final at The Sevens Stadium last weekend, with two first-half tries guiding the Blitzboks to a hard-earned 12-7 victory.
The Argentine players were understandably disappointed after coming so close to what would’ve been their first title in Dubai, but a week is a long time in SVNS – a new opportunity awaits.
After beating Spain and France on the opening day of play at the Cape Town SVNS, Argentina lifted their game to new heights as knockout rugby got underway on Sunday morning.
Argentina beat surprise package Canada 33-nil in the first cup quarter-final of the day and backed that up with an impressive win over a red-hot Ireland side in the semi-final under the afternoon sun.
“It gives me confidence that we know that last season and the last tournament, it wasn’t a coincidence,” Argentina sevens star Marcos Moneta told RugbyPass.
“We demonstrated that we are prepared for this type of game.
“Maybe we thought last season that… (for) the Pumas to finish second, it was something really, really special – and in Dubai also second.
“Here we are demonstrating it’s not a coincidence… what we have been doing the last year.”
Australia stands in Argentina’s way of cup final glory at the Western Cape venue, and Los Pumas Sevens will be desperate to do everything they can to rise to champions status.
Moneta was all smiles after beating the All Blacks Sevens in last weekend’s semi-final, and that very same smile was stretched across the Sevens Player of the Year nominees’ face.
But there was a different feel about the team atmosphere as they all walked towards the changerooms. They’re “hungrier” now to win it at in Cape Town.
“It makes you hungrier,” Moneta said.
“We lost that final and because we had that final, it wasn’t that South Africa scored 40 points and we had none.
“We are going to prepare for this match as the best that we can be.”
Argentina will take plenty of confidence from their sublime semi-final win over Ireland into the decider. Ireland had emerged as the team to beat, but they’ll battle it out for bronze instead.
Ireland got the better of hosts South Africa in an enthralling Pool A matchup on Saturday morning, and the men in green backed that up with their first-ever SVNS Series win over New Zealand.
“It gives us confidence.
“The second week is tough because you played a really tough tournament a week before. Maybe some teams aren’t as high as the last tournament.
“It also demonstrates that we’re working, we’re preparing and the team… we are still up there.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Great to see NZ 7s teams finally coming into form and playing at the level that is expected of them.
2 Go to commentsChief Cheapshot on the market again.
1 Go to commentsCrusaders went all in to buy Hotham and Kemara staight from Hamilton Boys. Then they picked up Reihana and Hohepa; all have been dropped for superstar Havili, who is a very good fullback, that’s it. Ennor and Goodhue were schoolboy stars too but went backwards at the Crusaders. Maybe they have finally decided to give another poach Levi Aumua the ball?
10 Go to commentsJoe S has some talent to pick from. The Reds loosies look the best in Super? Aus might just give Razor a headache this year. Int. experience v Cantab greenhorn:) Should be fun.
10 Go to commentsEnd to end play, “THE FANS” this game was entertainment of the best. The conditions added to the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsSorry to say, but sadly the sadas were just ordinary and havilli at 10 as an abs selection just won’t cut it. He’s better suited in the centre’s and is a victim of past charge down kicks, he’s too slow under pressure. There’s better talent further north and I don’t mean dmac however I believe razor will sort him out. A feature of his presents on the park is the fact that the guys will follow him.
10 Go to commentsMarler was brilliant throughout both in the scrum and open play. His slap made virtually no contact with Ramos who milked it for a penalty when he could have been a decent sportsman and laughed it off, it was non-violent and shouldn't have been penalised. Smith failed repeatedly to kick when necessary and put up a couple of bombs into the TLS 22 that just handed back possession at key moments to the other side.
3 Go to commentsCros was outstanding and rightly awarded France TVs player of the match award. Mallia was brilliant as usual (the y is below the 6 on a UK keyboard and he deserves better than that). Level also seems to have been scored harshly as he walked the ball into touch under pressure from a Lynagh kick from well outside his own half which should never have led to a 50-22. Agree with BullShark that Dupont, while class at times, seemed to go missing for patches in the second half with props, hookers and wings frequently filling in at 9 as he couldn't get off the deck and up to the next ruck on time. A 7 by his standards at best, his kicking was also too long, too often. Kinghorn's overall contribution was worth well more than a five.
3 Go to commentsThe Harlequins team must be in minus figures. Did the reporter actually watch the game?
3 Go to commentsHow on earth did Walker escape a red card? Not dangerous? Dupont has his face in a mask earlier this season. Shocking decision. What is the point of TMOs? We had the Fassi ‘non-penalty try’ yesterday and now this.
2 Go to commentsCould have been a different result but yet again French tv able to affect the result by not showing the very clear high shot on harlequin centre if this would have been on a French player would have been on screen at least five times
3 Go to commentsAmazing. The losing team’s ratings are higher than the winning team’s. Mallia definitely didn’t deserve a y. What game were you watching? Should have got a w or an x. ADP hardly featured in that second half. At one point I wondered when he’d been subbed. Seems to me as if he gets an automatic 9 just for getting onto the team sheet.
3 Go to commentsI’m sorry. That second half was far from enthralling. It was painful to watch.
2 Go to commentsVery generous! If you’d missed the game, reading this you’d conclude that it was the Quins front row that cost them the game. Marler getting a blanket 6 for his demented contribution to the game. Puzzling.
3 Go to commentsCan’t see Toulouse beating Leinster at this rate.
7 Go to commentsADP was having a very average game until winning that penalty for Toulouse, sticking his big head in the way. “The head of God”?
7 Go to commentsHarlequins doing their best to do as little damage as possible with all the possession. Looks like they skipped catch and pass drills this week.
7 Go to commentsSeeing pictures of Jacques high-fiving it with Irish players breaks my heart. Too soon. I need more time.
1 Go to commentsquins is all over the place. The minute they get the ball they panic. Quins can still win tho just need to win all rucks otherwise just don't bother.
7 Go to commentsGreat wins for the male & female kiwi sides. Ireland not far away..
2 Go to comments