As happened almost a year ago, the Argentine rugby team won the title again. Historic moment.
Almost a year ago, Vancouver was a party for Los Pumas 7’s. In that city on the Canadian west coast, the Argentine rugby sevens team had the pleasure of winning a stage on the world circuit again after 13 years. The 29-10 defeat of Fiji in the final capped a tournament with an unbeaten record and the third title on this circuit. Last night, Los Pumas returned to the final in the same place and history repeated itself: it was a 33-21 victory against France in the decisive match.
Argentina then adds five coronations on the world circuit: Los Angeles 2004, San Diego 2009, Vancouver 2022, Hamilton 2023 and Vancouver 2023.
The national team lives its best moment: champion at the Lima 2019 Pan American Games and bronze medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, in addition to its performance on the world circuit.
The final started in an ideal way for Los Pumas, because at the minute Marcos Moneta intercepted a French pass and went alone on the way to goal. Joaquín Pellandini’s conversion left the game 7-0. But three minutes later France handled the ball very well, patiently, Theo Forner supported the try and Jean Pascal Barraque equalized 7-7 with the conversion.
The party did not give up. Rodrigo Isgro capped off a great run with a try converted by Pellandini for 14-7. But shortly after halftime, Varian Pasquet supported on the left and Barraque converted from a difficult place to make it 14-14.
France went to the front just beginning the second half with a try by Stephen Parez, converted by Barraque. Argentina responded immediately with a break from Matías Osadczuk to support behind the posts. And there was another conversion by Luciano González for 21-21.
Then came a play: The Pumas recovered the oval, Tobías Wade kicked a kick and Moneta ran like Usain Bolt to arrive before an opponent and give the pass to Wade, who supported and then scored the conversion for 28-21. And on the last play came Agustín Fraga’s decisive try after another kick from Wade. For Los Pumas to be champions.