The Pumas 7s, the Argentine seven-player rugby team, are on the brink of making history. The delegation, comprising 14 players, departed for Spain this Thursday afternoon. From May 31 to June 2, they will compete at the Atlético de Madrid stadium in the grand final that will determine the world circuit champion. Despite achieving a historic first place in the 2024 season's regular phase and earning 106 points across 39 games, the Pumas must now prove themselves the best among the eight qualified teams to claim the championship.
This season has seen the Argentine team reach unprecedented heights, winning three gold medals and one silver. They secured 32 wins, including 18 consecutive victories, placing them ahead of major competitors like Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, Fiji, France, South Africa, and Great Britain. Head coach Santiago Gómez Cora describes this period as an 'era' that extends well beyond the impending Madrid Grand Final. He emphasizes that triumphing throughout the season amid various challenges shows the team's internal strength and resilience.
Under Gómez Cora's leadership, Los Pumas 7s have accumulated 296 wins, 13 draws, and 204 losses. The team's current success is the culmination of a project initiated in 2016, aiming to become a competitive team by 2024. Their bronze medal win at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games marked a key milestone, with aspirations for another podium finish at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Gómez Cora believes that consistent hard work and unity are the secrets to their success, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and collective dreaming.
Meanwhile, French rugby star Antoine Dupont will add his prowess to the French 7s team at the Madrid stage of the world circuit. Dupont, who is also a key player for Toulouse, has been pivotal in the French team's previous successes, including a bronze in Vancouver and gold in Los Angeles. According to coach Jérôme Daret, Dupont's participation was facilitated by Toulouse's secure position in the Top 14, allowing him to focus on the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Gómez Cora has named the same 14 players who traveled to Singapore for the last stage of the regular phase for the Grand Final. The roster includes Santiago Álvarez, Tomás Elizalde, Agustín Fraga, Luciano González, Matteo Graziano, Rodrigo Isgró, Santiago Mare, Matías Osadczuk, Joaquín Pellandini, Facundo Pueyrredón, Gastón Revol, Germán Schulz, Santiago Vera Feld, and Tobías Wade. Missing from the lineup are Alejo Lavayén and Marcos Monet, who are still recovering from injuries.
- The Pumas 7s have set a high bar for themselves this year, not just by winning but by demonstrating extraordinary resilience and determination. The upcoming Madrid Grand Final is not just another tournament but the culmination of years of effort, strategy, and teamwork.
- France's inclusion of Antoine Dupont in their squad for the Madrid stage illustrates the level of competition the Pumas will face. Dupont's previous achievements in the sevens circuit and his current form in the Top 14 indicate that the French team will be a formidable opponent.
- The matches in Madrid will be crucial for both teams as they prepare for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. For the Pumas, securing victories in this grand final will be a significant milestone in their journey towards establishing themselves as a dominant force in world rugby.
