Argentina’s national rugby sevens team won its third title of the season, beating the All Blacks 36-12 at the 2024 Canada Sevens in Vancouver. The Pumas Sevens have now won three titles in a row after gold medals in South Africa and Australia, putting them in the lead for the 2023-24 World Rugby Sevens Series.

Argentina struggled early on. The All Blacks scored two tries in the first three minutes, building up a 12-0 lead. The Pumas reacted quickly, with tries by Marcos Moneta and Luciano Gonzalez to finish the first half tied 12-12.

When the second half started, Argentina showed what it’s made of. Three quick tries by Matías “Tute” Osadczuk put the game out of reach for the All Blacks with just over one minute left, and a last try by Matteo Graziano with the clock in the red wrapped the deal for the final 36-12.

It was Argentina’s third consecutive title in Vancouver after wins in 2022 and 2023. “Maybe there’s some magic in the air,” said Pumas’ Marcos Moneta on the team’s success in Canada. “Each time we come here we feel like we’re at home. I’m really happy for the team to win a gold medal and the third one in Vancouver.”

The win means the Pumas extended its lead at the World Rugby Sevens Series table, with 78 points over second-placed Ireland’s 54. It’s also the team’s fifteenth straight win, a streak it hadn’t achieved since 2004.This bodes well for Argentina’s chances at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Rugby sevens has been an Olympic sport since Rio 2016, and the Pumas earned a bronze medal at Tokyo 2020. Having secured their qualification at the 2022-23 series, it looks like Argentina will be the team to beat in Paris.