Two Pumas Shine, Nominated for Seven of the Year
Argentina’s Moneta, Gonzalez Vie for World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year
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LOS ANGELES (AP) — As the World Rugby Sevens Series culminates in Los Angeles this weekend, Argentina’s Pumas 7s are not only vying for the season championship but also boast two nominees for the prestigious Player of the Year award: Marcos Moneta and Luciano González.
Moneta is also in contention for Try of the Year. The awards will be announced Sunday following the Grand Final.
Pumas 7s Dominate Season
The Pumas 7s secured their second consecutive regular-season title at the Singapore Sevens, the final event before the Grand Final. Despite what some consider an unconventional competition format, which culminates in a single final tournament featuring the top eight teams, Argentina has consistently demonstrated its dominance throughout the season.
While Argentina finished second to France in the 2023 Madrid final, their performance this season, marked by three tournament victories and two bronze medals across six stages, underscores their status as a leading force in sevens rugby.
Individual Accolades Reflect Team Success
The World Rugby award nominations mirror Argentina’s on-field success. Moneta and González are nominated for Player of the Year alongside spaniard Pol pla, a veteran player who led his team to a historic third-place finish in the overall standings.
González, 28, is experiencing a career-best season.He was instrumental in Argentina’s victories in Perth and Vancouver, the first two tournaments of the season, excelling in breakdowns, offloads, tackles, and recoveries. His 155 career tries rank second in Pumas 7s history, trailing only Santiago Gómez Cora (230). González is known for his power, elusiveness, and playmaking ability.
Moneta, 25, has rebounded strongly from an injury that hampered him at the end of last season. He has scored 23 tries this season, just one behind Fiji’s Joji Nasova, the current top try-scorer. Moneta’s speed and ability to exploit space make him a crucial component of coach Gómez Cora’s squad, both offensively and defensively. He was named player of the final in Hong Kong.
Moneta previously won World Rugby Player of the Year in 2021 after Argentina’s bronze medal win at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics (held in 2021). Rodrigo Isgró, now playing 15s rugby, won the award in 2023.
try of the Year Nomination
Moneta’s try in the Hong Kong semifinal against Australia is also nominated for Try of the Year. The try is up against Simon Désert’s (France) try against Fiji in Cape Town, Antón Legorburu’s (Spain) try against New Zealand in Vancouver, and vuiviwa Naduvalo’s (Fiji) try against france in Dubai. Fans can vote for Try of the Year at World.Rugby/awards/toty.
Other World Rugby awards include Rookie of the Year, with nominees Enahemo Artaud (France), George Bose (Fiji), and Aden Ekanayake (Australia). The women’s Player of the Year nominees are Thalia Costa (Brazil), Maddison Levi (australia), and Jorja Miller (New Zealand), while Kahli Henwood (Australia), Vika Nakacia (Fiji), and Nia Toliver (USA) are up for the women’s Rookie of the Year award.
Los Angeles Sevens Schedule
At the Los Angeles Sevens,the Pumas 7s are in Group A with South Africa,France,and Great Britain. Group B consists of Fiji, Spain, New Zealand, and Australia. The top two teams from each group advance to the semifinals.
Pumas 7s Schedule (All times local)
Saturday
- 4:43 p.m. – Argentina vs. great Britain
- 7:35 p.m. – Argentina vs. France
- 10:46 p.m. – Argentina vs. South Africa
Sunday
- 5:24 p.m. – Semifinals
- 8:33 p.m. – Third Place Match
- 9:41 p.m. - Final
Here’s a Q&A-style blog post based on the provided article content, designed for SEO and user engagement:
Argentina’s Rugby Stars in the Spotlight: A Q&A on the World Rugby Sevens awards
Q: What’s all the buzz about in the world of rugby sevens right now?
A: The World Rugby Sevens Series is building to a thrilling climax! This weekend, the Los Angeles Sevens is the stage for the final act, but the excitement extends beyond the tournament itself.the coveted World Rugby awards, including Player of the Year and Try of the Year, will be announced after the Grand Final, adding extra anticipation to the event.
Q: Who are the Argentina Pumas 7s players vying for Player of the Year?
A: Argentina’s Pumas 7s have two exceptional players nominated for the prestigious World Rugby Player of the Year award: Marcos Moneta and Luciano González. Their outstanding performances throughout the season have earned them this well-deserved recognition. They are competing with Pol Pla from Spain, and the winner will be announced after the Grand Final.
Q: What are the key strengths of Marcos Moneta,and what has he achieved this season?
A: moneta,at 25 years old,is a key component for the Pumas. He has shown incredible resilience, coming back strong after an injury that affected him at the end of last season.Thanks to his speed and unique ability to exploit space, he shines on both offense and defense. This season, he has scored an impressive 23 tries, putting him just one try behind the current top try-scorer, Fiji’s Joji nasova. This year, he was also named Player of the Final in Hong Kong. Furthermore, Moneta previously won the world Rugby Player of the Year award in 2021, which makes this the second time for this award.
Q: Tell me about Luciano González, and what makes him a standout player?
A: Luciano González, age 28, is having a career-best season. He’s an instrumental figure in the team, known for his skill in breakdowns, offloading, tackles, and recoveries. He was a crucial part of Argentina’s victories in Perth and vancouver, which kicked off the season. In the history of Pumas 7s, his career total of 155 tries places him second, just behind Santiago Gómez Cora (230). He’s recognized for his power,agility,and playmaking abilities.
Q: Beyond the individual awards, how has the Argentina Pumas 7s team performed this season?
A: The Pumas 7s have enjoyed a stellar season! They secured their second consecutive regular-season title at the Singapore Sevens, the final event leading up to the Grand Final. They finished second to France in Madrid, but their consistency has been impressive. They’ve achieved three tournament victories and two bronze medals across six stages, clearly establishing them as a leading force in sevens rugby.
Q: How did Moneta win Player of the year in 2021 ?
A: Moneta previously won World Rugby Player of the Year in 2021 after Argentina’s bronze medal win at the tokyo 2020 Olympics (held in 2021).
Q: What is Moneta’s try nominated for?
A: Moneta’s try in the Hong Kong semifinal against Australia is a contender for Try of the Year.
Q: Who are Moneta’s Try of the year competitors?
A: The other nominees for Try of the Year include:
Simon Désert (France) vs. Fiji (Cape Town)
Antón Legorburu (Spain) vs. new Zealand (Vancouver)
Vuiviwa Naduvalo (Fiji) vs.France (Dubai)
Q: How can fans vote for the Try of the Year?
A: Fans can cast their votes for the Try of the Year at World.Rugby/awards/toty.
Q: Which other World Rugby awards are being presented?
A: Besides Player of the Year and Try of the Year, there are other exciting awards to look out for:
Rookie of the Year: The nominees are Enahemo Artaud (France), George Bose (Fiji), and Aden Ekanayake (Australia).
Women’s player of the Year: Nominees include Thalia Costa (Brazil), Maddison Levi (Australia), and Jorja Miller (New Zealand).
Women’s Rookie of the Year: The contenders are Kahli Henwood (Australia), Vika Nakacia (Fiji), and Nia Toliver (USA).
Q: Where does the los angeles Sevens tournament stand heading into the final showdown?
A: The Los Angeles Sevens will feature the Pumas 7s in Group A, battling against tough competition from South Africa, France, and Great Britain. Over in Group B,we’ll see Fiji,Spain,New Zealand,and australia. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semifinals.
Q: What is the Argentina Pumas 7s schedule for the Los Angeles Sevens?
A: Here’s the schedule for the Pumas 7s (all times are local):
Saturday
4:43 p.m. – Argentina vs. Great britain
7:35 p.m. – Argentina vs. France
10:46 p.m. – Argentina vs. South Africa
Sunday
5:24 p.m.- Semifinals
8:33 p.m. – Third Place Match
9:41 p.m. – Final
Q: What’s the key takeaway for rugby fans from this weekend’s events?
A: Rugby fans are in for a weekend of thrilling action in Los Angeles! The Argentina Pumas 7s are not just contenders for the tournament title but also have players in the running for the prestigious Player of the Year award. With Moneta and González showcasing their exceptional skills and Moneta’s try in contention for Try of the Year, it’s a moment to celebrate Argentinian rugby and witness the pinnacle of sevens action. don’t miss the announcements on Sunday!