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Argentina crowned SVNS Series League winners for the first time

Matteo Graziano #4 (2L) and Tobias Wade #10 of Argentina celebrate after the men's 5th place playoff match victory over South Africa during day three of the HSBC SVNS Singapore at the National Stadium on May 05, 2024 in Singapore. Argentina won the SVNS League with the victory. (Photo by Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images)

Argentina have been crowned the men’s SVNS Series League winners for the first time ever after overcoming a valiant South Africa outfit in a thrilling match at Singapore’s National Stadium.

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Los Pumas Sevens had an opportunity to secure the prestigious title on Saturday evening in a crunch contest with Series heavyweights Ireland but ended up losing that quarter-final 21-5.

The Irish moved on to the SVNS Singapore semi-finals but the Argies remained in the box seat to claim the crown. Argentina would have another chance to make history against South Africa.

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It’s true the fifth-place playoff isn’t usually the game of the weekend, but thousands in attendance at the Singaporean venue couldn’t look away if they tried as two Titans clashed.

Argentina needed to win but that looked somewhat unlikely at one stage as South Africa ran up a strong lead, but Los Pumas Sevens – as they have all season – stood up when it mattered.

Agustin Fraga got the Argies back into the contest with an 11th-minute try, but Tobias Wade was the hero. The playmaker crossed under the sticks for the title-winning score in the final minute.

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For Argentina Sevens legend Gaston Revol, who played his 100th international tournament earlier this season in Cape Town, “it’s been such a long time” coming on the Series.

“So many moments, good and bad moments. The journey was really difficult,” Gaston told RugbyPass and a couple of other reporters.

“We kept on trying, kept on training, kept on believing in this team and I think we have the prize that we deserve.

“It’s incredible to be here at this moment. Here and in every other tournament at my age, I’m 37 years old and I’m still here with these guys, these great players.

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“They are the ones that made the major difference on the field.”

Argentina were practically unstoppable during the first half of the season with Los Pumas Sevens going winning three finals on the bounce from four appearances in Cup final deciders.

They famously broke the pool after winning the title in Cape Town, celebrated with hundreds of Argentina fans at Perth’s HBF Park, and got the better of New Zealand in Vancouver’s big dance.

But after losing to Ireland in the Los Angeles quarter-finals and then failing to make it out of the group stage at the prestigious Hong Kong Sevens, it all came down to Singapore.

Ireland’s Harry McNulty was out signing autographs and taking selfies with supporters on Sunday with South Africa in a commanding position over Argentina in the decisive fixture.

Tiaan Pretorius scored in the second minute and Siviwe Soyizwapi added another shortly after as the Blitzboks took control. But as the game went on, more and more passes went to the ground.

Argentina rallied at half-time and ultimately made their opponents – who beat them in the Dubai final way back in December – pay.

“That was tough,” Gaston said when asked about the half-time huddle.

“But this is our team – this is us. In the difficult moments, we get together and do things like winning the match.

“(At half-time) one of the guys said in the (huddle) that we could, that we have to trust and we did that,” he added. “We started to believe.”

Catch up on all the latest SVNS Series action from the 2023/24 season on RugbyPass TV. SVNS Singapore is live and free to watch, all you need to do is sign up HERE.

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That's Cron's job though. Australia has had one of the most penalised scrums in international rugby for a long time. Just look at the scrum win loss percentage and scrum penalties. That is your evidence. AA has been the starter during that period. Pretty simple analysis. That Australia has had a poor scrum for a long time is hardly news. If bell and thor are not on the field they are woeful. So you are just plain wrong. They have very little time for the lions so doing the same old things that dont work is not going to get them there.


Ainsley is better than our next best tighthead options and has been playing well at scrum time for Lyon in the most competitive comp in the world. Superstar player? No. But better than the next best options. So that is a good enough guide. The scrummaging in the Prem is pretty good too so there is Sio's proof. Same analysis for him. Certainly better in both cases than Super, where the brumbies had the worst win loss and scrum pen in Super. Who plays there? Ohh yes... And the level of scrummaging in Super is well below the URC, prem and France with the SA teams out.


Nongorr is truly woeful. He's 130kg and gets shoved about. That just should not be happening at that weight for a specialist prop who has always played rugby cf pone with leauge. He has had enough time to develop at 23. You'd be better off with Pone who is at least good around the field for the moment and sending Nongorr on exchange to France or England to see if they can improve him with better coaching as happened with Skelton and Meafou. He isn't going to develop in time in super if he has it at all.


Latu is a better scrummaging hooker than BPA and Nasser. and he's the best aussie player over the ball at ruck time. McReight's super jackling percentage hasnt converted to international level but latu consistently does it at heniken level, which is similar to test level in the big games. With good coaching at La Rochelle he's much improved though still has the odd shocker. He should start the November games.

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