The HSBC Hong Kong Sevens witnessed a thrilling finale as Argentina’s men’s rugby team, Los Pumas, clinched their maiden title in this prestigious tournament. In a nail-biting match against Olympic champions France, Argentina emerged victorious with a 12-7 score line. This win not only marked their first triumph in Hong Kong but also extended their unbeaten streak to 16 games, solidifying their position as the world’s best in the HSBC Sevens Series.
The final was a testament to Argentina’s resilience and skill. After a scoreless first half, Santiago Alvarez broke the deadlock, capitalizing on a yellow card for France’s Liam Delamere. Marcos Moneta, the player of the match, followed with a dazzling try, showcasing his agility and precision. Although France managed a late try by Gregoire Arfeuil, it was not enough to deny Argentina their historic victory.
This win adds to Argentina’s impressive season, having already secured titles in Perth and Vancouver. With 88 points, they now lead the HSBC Sevens Series standings, ahead of Fiji and Spain.
Kenya’s Shujaa 7s Journey
Kenya’s national rugby team, Shujaa 7s, displayed commendable determination in Hong Kong despite falling short of the Cup quarterfinals. After a strong start with a 19-0 victory over Spain, Kenya narrowly lost to Great Britain 12-7. Their final pool match against France was a closely contested battle, ending in a 14-7 defeat. Patrick Odongo’s try in the second half showcased Kenya’s fighting spirit, but a late French try sealed their fate.
Although Shujaa missed the quarterfinals, their performance earned them valuable points in the standings. In the 9th place playoffs, Shujaa beat USA 17-10 in the playoff semis while lost to South Africa 17-19 in the 9th place playoff finals. However, they face a challenging road ahead, with relegation playoffs looming in May. Kenya’s journey in the HSBC Sevens Series continues to inspire, reflecting their resilience and passion for the sport.
Singapore 7s is next weekend and below is Kenya 7s pool:
HSBC Sevens Series Standings
As the series progresses, the overall standings highlight the intense competition among the top teams:
- Argentina 7s (ARG) – 88 points
- Fiji 7s (FIJ) – 76 points
- Spain 7s (ESP) – 74 points
- South Africa 7s (RSA) – 66 points
- France 7s (FRA) – 64 points
- Australia 7s (AUS) – 54 points
- New Zealand 7s (NZL) – 50 points
- Great Britain 7s (GBR) – 38 points
- Kenya 7s (KEN) – 18 points
- Uruguay 7s (URU) – 17 points
- Ireland 7s (IRE) – 15 points
- USA 7s (USA) – 10 points
The next leg of the HSBC Sevens Series will take place in Singapore on April 5-6, 2025, followed by the tournament in Los Angeles, USA, scheduled for May 3-4, 2025.
