If South Africa and New Zealand enter the NZI Sevens this weekend as joint-favourites, look no further than Argentina for a dark horse capable of upsetting the odds.

Lying fifth so far this season, the Pumas are serious contenders to spring a surprise in Wellington.

South Africa and New Zealand will be feeling the pressure of being the runaway leaders and tournament hosts respectively, Fiji may take time to settle under new coach Iliesa Tanivula, Samoa may miss regular captain Uale Mai and playmaker Lolo Lui and England, while they look a solid outfit, have never yet proved capable of shining in Wellington.

Argentina start out in their pool against Canada and also play France, who only arrived in Wellington on Thursday due to problems travelling out of Paris, and England, who currently lie joint-third in the Series alongside the Fijians.

A willingness to learn

With their semi-laid back approach to the game off the field, backed up by a cast iron will and rugged determination on it, the Pumas may be able to build on a solid start to the season.

Under captain Santiago Gomez Cora they reached the Cup quarter finals in Dubai and went one better the next weekend in George, where they lost against New Zealand in the semi final.

"We've trained well all week and today was our final session where we made some small adjustments and went over everything again," said Gomez Cora.

"I think this team has a real will to win, and to learn. The older players have been great all week and the new guys have asked lots of questions and just want to learn from us all the time.

"I think that yesterday's training was one of the best sessions we've had. We played a practice match against Australia, showed plenty in attack and closed them down well in the centre of the field, which was one of the aspects that we had to improve on."

Lopez Fleming back on the prowl

Another major boost for Argentina and Gomez Cora is the return to the side of former captain Lucio Lopez Fleming.

Captain of the team when Argentina won their one solitary Cup victory on the IRB Sevens World Series in Los Angeles in 2004, the diminutive half back gives them an edge in decision-making and another dimension in defence where he consistently punches well above his weight.

His willingness to rejoin the Sevens team, and subsequent reinclusion by coach Duncan Forrester, underline just how seriously Argentina are taking the Wellington and San Diego events as warm-ups for an assualt on the World Cup in Dubai in March.

"It is a joy to have Lucio back in the squad this week because it promises to be a tough one.

"Canada are a very difficult side and you need a lot of patience to play against them. France had problems getting here but you never know with them, they can surprise any team and we know that England are a very powerful, physical side and played really well at the end of 2008."

Three World Cup-bound teams standing in Argentina's way on day one at the NZI Sevens. They could scarcely have wished for a better test.