Argentina Men and NZ Women Reign Supreme At Vancouver SVNS 2024

Argentina Sevens men continue their incredible form, winning their third straight HSBC SVNS tournament in a row at the Vancouver SVNS 2024, while the Black Ferns Sevens close up the gap on the Australian women by winning gold in Canada.

It was also the manner of the Argentinean’s win, beating New Zealand 36-12 with Matias Osadczuk scoring a hatrick, that will see most tip the South Americans to take their first maiden Series this season and possibly gold at the Olympics in Paris. This was also their third consecutive win in Vancouver.

Marcos Moneta said. “Maybe there’s some magic in the air. Each time we come here we feel like we’re at home. When you win the first time, maybe the second time, (but) the third time you’re more motivated. I’m really happy for the team to win a gold medal and third in Vancouver.”

The resurgent NZ women also were back to winning ways after missing out on the finals in the previous round in Perth, and thumped France 35-19 at BC Place, with the legendary Portia Woodman-Wickliffe scoring a hattrick. New Zealand have closed the gap on Australia to six points in the women’s league title race as we head to LA next weekend.

Photo Credit – Vancouver SVNS 2024

Woodman-Wickliffe said: “Our game’s not perfect, we’ve got a long way to go. Australia is always the pinnacle but France is such a massive side. They’re strong, they’re physical, they bring a different game that no one else does. We’re looking forward to the next tournament. We’ve got some girls that are coming back from injuries. It’s going to be exciting.”

In the bronze matches, the hosts were able to stun log leaders Australia 19-14 for the Canada women to claim third, and France’s men (yes with Dupont in the mix and scoring a try) beating USA 42-12.

It is not the way superstar Charlotte Caslick would have wanted to end a tournament in which she became the first female player to reach 50 Sevens HSBC SVNS tournaments as a milestone.

Japan Sakura 7s Results – Vancouver SVNS 2024

The Japanese Sakura 7s women finished in 10th place and now look destined to be in the bottom four when it comes to the final round in Madrid, and will set to compete with the top four World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger 2024 teams and the accompanying bottom three of the HSBC SVNS Series sides to maintain their place for the 2024-2025 Series.

This could change as there are still rounds in LA, Hong Kong, and Singapore to come, but they would need to reach the quarterfinals at those events at least.

Photo credit: Mike Lee – KLC fotos for World Rugby – Japan Sakura SVNS finished 10th in Vancouver

Marin Kajiki, a Sakura 7s squad member, said after the final match loss to Ireland in the 9th place playoff, that she felt the team was better in attack all weekend, and the team did score tries in all the matches, with some excellent running lines, but defensively they also conceded plenty. She added that the team’s philosophy is to “stand, move, fight.”

Wakaba Hara who returned to the squad after being absent in Perth, agreed that the team created more attacking opportunities and that they will focus on converting more chances next weekend at the LA SVNS.

Pool B

• Japan 10-12 Australia
• Japan 14-26 USA
• Japan 12-36 Fiji
• Japan 24-5 South Africa (9th place SF)
• Japan 7-12 Ireland (9th place Final)

Sevens Rugby News 2024

• Melrose Shield Competition Confirmed For 2024 Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens.
• Borneo 7s International Rugby Tournament 2024.
• HSBC SVNS Singapore 2024.
• Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens 2024 Week – Ultimate Fan Guide.