Women’s rugby is growing in Argentina as showcased by their performances at the Sudamérica Rugby Sevens on home soil in Córdoba last month when Las Pumas comfortably beat their rivals en route to a final showdown with the region’s dominant team Brazil.
Brazil once again proved too strong for Las Pumas with a 31-12 victory to defend their title, but Argentina still had cause to celebrate on two fronts, securing a place at the HSBC USA Sevens and also in Hong Kong – alongside Colombia – where a core team place on the HSBC World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series in 2017-18 is at stake.
“We want that core place and to play in the world series,” insisted Sofía González (pictured), an integral part of the Las Pumas squad despite her tender age of 22. “We know it is hard but we are preparing very hard to get it.
“Most of us have been to Hong Kong two or three times and it allows us to better manage our rhythm. It is still a long and tiring trip having to fight jet lag, but our will to succeed can do a lot more.”
Las Pumas found the step up from regional competition to the world series a big one, managing to score only three tries in their five matches and losing the 11th place play-off to Brazil 41-0. However, the experience was a positive one and one they are determined to learn from to narrow that gap.
“There is a gap with Brazil and we can feel it,” admitted González. “In the last year they’ve had a lot of competition and that has given them a rhythm we are lacking. We need to compete, in doing so that gap will narrow.
Crucial tournament for Argentina
“Our experience in Las Vegas will be very helpful going into this crucial tournament in Hong Kong.
“Women’s rugby in Argentina is growing. We now play a national championship which is very good to promote the game and give us more competition experience. Our aim is to then share what we’ve learnt along the way, both at national and international level, at our clubs.”
A PE student, González plays for the same club – that Sociedad Italiana de Tiro al Segno (SITAS) – as Matías Osadczuk, who has been one of the standout players in his debut series, scoring 23 tries in the six events so far and the teenager will be Hong Kong with the men’s team.
“We know how hard getting the core status is, that we have to earn it. We play against Kenya and Hong Kong who we’ve played and beaten before. They are both good, fighting teams. We haven’t played Belgium yet.
“Without underestimating anyone, we are hoping for the best in Hong Kong.”
What would it mean to González if Las Pumas Sevens can realise their dream and secure core team status for next season?
“Change. Everything will change!”
