The Argentine Rugby Sevens team is one of the best in the world and one of the country’s best chances at a medal in Paris 2024. However, the sevens variant holds some key differences with the traditional rugby union rules. So, what’s the deal with seven-man rugby?

What is the difference between rugby and rugby sevens?

At their core, the two are very similar. 

In both games, players from the two teams score points by touching the ball on the ground behind a goal line. Each score, known as a try, is worth five points. Teams are given the chance to add two extra points after a try by kicking the ball between the three sticks at the ends of the field, what is known as a conversion.

Teams are only allowed to pass the ball with their hands backwards but can kick it forward. Lineouts — when the ball leaves the pitch through the sidelines — and scrums — where teams have to push each other in an interlocking formation to move forward — are part of the game. The size of the field is also the same, at 70 meters by 100.

The main difference between rugby union and rugby sevens is the number of players. While rugby is traditionally played with 15 per side, sevens sees only seven players on each side.

Due to the reduced number of players, playing times are also much shorter — just two halves of seven minutes each instead of the traditional 40 minutes.

This makes sevens games a much quicker paced and back-and-forth affair than rugby union, with similarly scored games despite the much shorter play time. Sevens players are less specialized in their position. They must be agile and quick on their feet, while also have great feel for the game as the ball moves much faster.

Another key difference can be found during kickoff. In rugby union, the team that scores receives the ball from an opponent’s kickoff when play is resumed. This is because it’s generally accepted that pitch position and ball advancement are far more important in rugby than ball possession. 

However, with sevens’ fast paced action and the large gaps it produces  in the defense, it’s the other way around. Thus, the scoring team is the one resuming the game and gives possession to its opponent.

Are the Pumas the best rugby sevens team in the world?

While it’s always hard to give a definitive answer, the Argentine rugby sevens national team is certainly one of the more serious candidates to take the gold medal at Paris 2024. 

They won the 2023–24 SVNS Men’s Series, the international tour rugby sevens teams play during the year, winning three events — Cape Town, Perth and Vancouver — the most of any team.

In October 2023, Rodrigo Isgró won World Rugby Men’s Sevens Player of the Year, while Marcos Moneta — winner in 2021 — was also nominated.