On Thursday, September 5, 2025, simply three days after the announcement of the 2026 Sevens Collection, Los Pumas 7s formally launched their preseason.
Head coach Santiago Gómez Cora, alongside his long-time assistant Leonardo Gravano, welcomed an expanded 24-player squad, mixing seasoned veterans with contemporary expertise.
Notably absent are acquainted names like Matías Osadczuk, Tobías Wade, Tomás Elizalde, Agustín Fraga, and Alejo Lavayén, who’ve shifted their focus to XVs, and the retired Germán Schulz.
The squad’s youth injection comes from Argentina’s U20 crew, contemporary off their gold-medal triumph on the Junior Pan American Video games in Asunción, Paraguay. Newcomers Mateo Fossati, Juan Patricio Batac, Jerónimo Sorondo, Sebastián Dubuc, and Gino Dicapua (who had been named within the Pan Am squad however was changed because of harm) have earned their call-up to the senior facet, bringing uncooked potential and enthusiasm.
“We’re not ranging from scratch; it’s a continuation,” Gómez Cora defined. “We’re retaining a core of skilled gamers, however 2026 can be a transitional 12 months to combine new expertise we’ve been monitoring by age-grade rugby.”
Constructing for the Future
The Sevens squad will obtain state-funded scholarships, with stipends various primarily based on their standing: Olympian, Pan Am participant, or projection. “Rugby sevens has earned this assist by our confirmed observe file,” mentioned Gómez Cora, a former newbie participant himself.
Regardless of a busy low season – the place most gamers adopted tailor-made health packages, and 4 (Matteo Graziano, Joaquín Pellandini, Luciano González, and Marcos Moneta) competed abroad in India’s Premier League and France’s Sevens Collection – the crew is now targeted on aligning for the season forward. The preseason is structured into weekly coaching blocks specializing in expertise, assault, ball retention, restarts, and protection.
“We’re going again to fundamentals to make sure everybody understands the Pumas 7s method,” Gómez Cora famous. “Even when the veterans discover it repetitive, it’s essential for the newcomers.”
Navigating a New Season Format
The 2026 Sevens Collection introduces a brand new construction, which Gómez Cora views with blended emotions. Whereas he appreciates {that a} single event now not defines the season, he’s unsure about learn how to strategy the primary six occasions. “I’m unsure if we should always use the common season to check new gamers and rotate the squad, as the ultimate three tournaments, with the groups that qualify from the decrease echelon, appear to hold probably the most weight,” he admitted.
Gómez Cora is especially enthusiastic about returning to Europe for tournaments in Spain and France, which scale back the crew’s gruelling world journey.
A Mix of Expertise and Youth
With no Pan American Video games or Olympic qualifiers in 2026, this season gives a main alternative to check new gamers and methods. The departure of some gamers to XVs is seen as a silver lining. “These gamers weren’t getting many minutes because of fierce competitors,” Gómez Cora defined. “We want them nicely, however our present squad stays extremely aggressive.”
Thus far, solely Agustín Fraga has had any recognition, enjoying for Argentina XV towards Romania in July.
Among the many newcomers, Sebastián Dubuc stands out, clocking a formidable 37 km/h in testing—simply 2 km/h shy of Marcos Moneta’s blistering tempo. “Our trainers are distinctive, and we anticipate these stats to enhance,” Gómez Cora added. Whereas contracted gamers will focus solely on sevens, youthful squad members will stability sevens coaching with membership XVs motion, permitting them to develop versatility.
A Coach’s Ardour
Coming into his 14th season as head coach, Gómez Cora stays energized. “I really like my job,” he mentioned, emphasizing his dedication to evolving the crew. The main focus is on figuring out gamers with an “X-factor” and nurturing their development. “We’re excited concerning the uncooked expertise we have now and motivated by what we noticed on the Junior Pan Am Video games,” he concluded.
As Los Pumas 7s embark on this transitional season, the mix of seasoned stars and rising prospects guarantees an thrilling journey forward.
