More SVNS Series history within reach as Argentina name star-studded squad

More history is within reach for Argentina on the HSBC SVNS Series. Los Pumas Sevens took out the league title about 12 months ago with a 14-10 win over South Africa in Singapore, and they’ll be looking to repeat those heroics over the coming weeks in Asia.

SVNS Series superstars Luciano Gonzalez and Marcos Moneta headline a talented Los Pumas Sevens squad that is vying for the league crown for a second season on the bounce. Argentina currently sits first on the standings with two events left in the round-robin.

The highly-prestigious festival of rugby that is the Hong Kong Sevens is up next and will take place at a new venue from March 28-30. Kai Tak Sports Park will host the tournament for the first time, with a massive crowd expected across the three-day competition.

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Singapore’s national stadium will host the penultimate round of the season from April 5-6 ahead of the World Championship at Los Angeles’ Dignity Health Sports Park in early May. That winner-takes-all event is about six weeks away at the time of writing.

Argentina started the 2024/25 season with a third-place finish in Dubai before missing out on a spot on the figurative podium in Cape Town. But, after taking out consecutive Cup titles in Perth and Vancouver, they’re in the box seat on the overall standings.

Los Pumas Sevens are first with 68 league points, while Spain sit just behind them in second on 64, while Fiji and South Africa round out the top-three with both teams currently on 62. New Zealand and Great Britain are at the other end of the top-eight.

Other than Gonzalez and Moneta, coach Santiago Gomez Cora has named former captain Santiago Alvarez, Tomas Elizalde, Agustin Fraga, Matteo Graziano, Alejo Lavayen, Santiago Mare, Matias Osadczuk, Joaquin Pellandini, Facundo Pueyrredon, German Schulz, Tobias Wade and Santino Zangara in the squad for Hong Kong China and Singapore.

Argentina have been drawn in a tough pool for the Hong Kong Sevens, starting with the team currently ranked last on the standings – Ireland – but the men in green are more than capable of shocking teams on the SVNS Series.

They’ll also take on the United States at 5:21 am on March 28 (Argentina time) before rounding out pool play with a potentially pivotal clash with Fiji at 1:11 am on March 29. Fiji have been one of the form teams on the men’s Series in 2024/25.

Los Pumas Sevens have finished second in Hong Kong on one occasion in 2004, and have three times lost the Cup Final in Singapore (2002, 2004 and 2023). They also won the third-place playoff in Singapore one time.

Argentina squad for Hong Kong Sevens and SVNS Singapore

Santiago Alvarez, Tomas Elizalde, Agustin Fraga, Luciano Gonzalez, Matteo Graziano, Alejo Lavayen, Santiago Mare, Marcos Moneta, Matias Osadczuk, Joaquin Pellandini, Facundo Pueyrredon, German Schulz, Tobias Wade, Santino Zangara