Five reasons to tune in to the men’s HSBC SVNS World Championships

This is it; the culmination of a brilliant HSBC SVNS season with two days of non-stop, high-stakes action. You will not want to miss a moment, here’s why:

1. Winner takes all

It could not be set up better. All season the world’s finest sevens players have been battling to get to Los Angeles. Only the top eight have made it and now, five great performances from one and they will be named HSBC SVNS World Champions.

It is quite a prospect and one that only gets more alluring when you realise all eight have a real shot at grabbing glory.

Argentina (three wins), Fiji (two) and South Africa (one) may have shared the series titles, but Spain (a silver and two bronzes), France (two silvers) and Australia (a silver and bronze) have shown they too know how to get it done

That leaves New Zealand, one of the greatest sevens nations of all-time and Great Britain, who pushed league champions Argentina all the way in Singapore earlier this month. While Kenya, silver medallists in Singapore, did not even make it into the top eight.

Wow.

2. ‘History’ & ‘revenge’ on offer for league champs Argentina

If pushed to pick a favourite, Argentina standout. And they have significant motivation.

First up, like New Zealand on the women’s side, they can become the first team to complete the SVNS league and cup double. This leads neatly on to the second driver: after winning the league last season Los Pumas faltered in the Grand Final and indeed the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Two losses that have hurt for a long time.

“We'll be really, really happy if we can do it, Santi (Gomez Cora, head coach) and all the team because it would be a really good revenge from last year,” star man Marcos Moneta said.

“There's nothing to fear. It's a really good opportunity to prove that we still are the best.”

3. Moneta’s ones to watch: ‘Tough’ Fiji, ‘intelligent’ Spain & ‘intense’ South Africa

While keen to stress that any of the eight genuinely can win, Player of the Year nominee (more below) Marcos Moneta knows which teams he would be focusing on, were he in the Dignity health Sports Park stands this weekend.

“Fiji are a really tough team. They have a really good attack, and they play really good when in transition,” the winger said with a slight grimace. “With Fiji you have to not lose the ball and give them the chance to play.”

Next up, it’s the team that has shocked the world. “They're really intelligent,” Moneta said of Spain, who jumped from 10^th last season to end third this time around. “They have the ball a lot, they love to have the ball, and it's really difficult to take the ball off them.”

Finally, it is South Africa, the team who have arguably caused Argentina the most problems this season. “The key for them is the intensity that they put you in any ruck, in any tackle. They have really good players who know how to play you one v one. We have them in the group (Pool A), it’s going to be a nice match.”

4. See the very best strut their stuff

Even amid all this endless quality, there are a handful of players that you simply cannot miss.

Moneta himself heads the list. He is one of two Argentineans nominated for the HSBC Men’s SVNS Player of the Year award. A total of 117 points, including 23 tries is quite a count for the razor-sharp winger, while he’s been beautifully complemented by the powerhouse that is Luciano Gonzalez – the top carrier across the league and Player of the Final in three of the past nine SVNS tournaments.

Joining them on the list is Spain’s indefatigable Plo Pla. The 32-year-old has led his nation to the very top against all the odds, notching his 100^th try in the process.

Add on Rookie of the Year nominees, George Bose (Fiji), Enahemo Artaud (France) plus Aden Ekanayake (Australia) and the reasons to keep this weekend free keep piling up.

5. Add Play-Off drama to the mix

It is not just the fight for the big cup that you will want to remain glued to 3-4 May, there is also the huge matter of the HSBC SVNS Play-Off to keep your eyes on.

This is the tournament Spain came through last season in Madrid and neighbours Portugal, winners of the HSBC SVNS Challenger series, are among those hoping to replicate such success.

Germany, Samoa and Canada will be joining them, having also emerged from the Challenger series. While Kenya, fresh from that brilliant Singapore performance, Uruguay, Ireland and the USA drop down to take them on.