Argentina secure Vancouver four-peat, New Zealand coast to title

Argentina and New Zealand have repeated history at SVNS Vancouver once again by triumphing in their respective Cup finals for the third year in a row. Los Pumas 7s secured a four-peat of Vancouver titles by beating South Africa 19-12, while the Kiwis got the better of Fiji 41-7.

There’s something about BC Place that seems to get the best out of Argentina. The HSBC SVNS Series heavyweights travelled to Vancouver without injured coach Santiago Gomez Cora who continues to recover from surgery, and they still managed to make history.

Argentina had only conceded four tries in five matches before taking the field for the big dance against South Africa. After taking out their first title of the season at last month’s event in Perth, Argentina looked to become the first side to go back-to-back in 2024/25.

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Luciano Gonzalez helped Los Pumas 7s get off to an ideal start, with the powerful ball carrier scoring the first two tries of the final in the second and fourth minutes. Tobias Wade added another five points early in the second term as the defending champs took control.

But the Blitzboks clawed their way back through youngster Quewin Nortje and Siviwe Soyizwapi who scored a try each, and a conversion from co-captain Selvyn Davids reduced the deficit to just seven points with about three minutes left to play.

South Africa had plenty of possession deep into the decider, but Argentina’s impressive defence proved to be the difference, much as it had throughout the event. After securing a penalty at the breakdown with less than one minute left, the match seemed all but over.

Argentina hung on for the win, with players embracing at full-time after a fourth-straight title at the SVNS event. Gonzalez was named the Player of the Final, which marked the second event in a row the Argentinian had been recognised with that honour.

In the men’s third-place playoff, Spain made a statement with a commanding 22-7 win over Fiji. The Fijians are yet to win another title this season since triumphing over Spain in the Dubai Sevens decider back in December.

New Zealand shot out of the blocks in the women’s final with vice-captain Risi Pouri-Lane the first to score, after less than one minute of play too. In a blur, the Black Ferns Sevens took control with Manaia Nuku and Stacey Waaka running in to extend the team’s lead.

It was 17-nil with more than 2:30 left to play in the first.

Jorja Miller added one more score before the end of the half.

Michaela Brake and Sesenieli Donu traded tries before debutant Maia Davis scored a brilliant individual try to cap off New Zealand’s third-consecutive title in Canada. Paul also completed a double as the Black Ferns Sevens made a statement with this win.

In the women’s third-place game, Australia finished their campaign on a high note by overcoming a valiant Japan side 26-12. Tia Hinds (double), Faith Nathan and three-time Olympian Charlotte Caslick all got on the scoresheet for the women in gold.