The Pumas 7s kick off a new World Tour season this weekend in Dubai. The initial stage of the competition consists of three dates in which the champion is announced. Argentine participation began With two surprising defeats: 26 to 19 against Fiji and 59 to 7 against France, in the worst defeat in the history of Albicelesti in this tournament. He still has to play on Saturday against South Africa, without any chance of competing for the title.
This year’s format is different from recent editions. In the first case, six stages are played with eight participants, Unlike the 12 countries that were present last season: Argentina, Australia, Fiji, France, Great Britain, New Zealand, South Africa and Spain. They will all meet in Dubai (United Arab Emirates), Cape Town (South Africa), Kallang (Singapore), Perth (Australia), Vancouver (Canada), and New York (United States).
Then three more final stages will be held called the SVNS World Championships, The top four teams from SVNS 2, the second division of the World Tour, will be added, so there will be 12 participants. It will be held first in Hong Kong, then in Valladolid (Spain) and then in Bordeaux (France). The champion will be announced specifically at the end of the final weekend of activity.
*All times are in accordance with Argentina time.
The Pumas 7s squad for the UAE weekend consists of: Santiago Alvarez, Martiniano Arrieta, Juan Patricio Patac, Lautaro Velez Bazán, Sebastian Dubuque, Luciano Gonzalez, Mateo Graziano, Valentin Maldonado, Santiago Mari, Marcos Moneta, Eliseo Morales, Joaquín Bellandini, Santiago Vera Velde and Santino Zangara. Among all these, there are five beginners: Morales, Batak, Dubuque, Arrieta and Maldonado.