France Or Argentina For HSBC SVNS Crown: Carter

Legend cites their willingness to win, grow, learn for their ascension to sevens pinnacle

- David Lee

Two-time Rugby World Cup champion Dan Carter was hard-pressed to look beyond the in-form French and Argentinians to win the HSBC SVNS at the May 3-4 grand final in Los Angeles.

For the best part of 2024, Argentina were the world's best rugby sevens side, as they topped the 2023-24 HSBC SVNS regular season and they are aiming to repeat the feat this campaign.

But the more clinical French gave them a good run for their money, winning the grand final and the Olympic gold in Paris.

Carter, who is in town for the ongoing Singapore leg of the world series as HSBC's rugby ambassador, told The Sunday Times on April 5: "Two years ago, we wouldn't be talking about France and Argentina being the powerhouses of sevens rugby.

"Having played rugby in France, I know the talent is there, and also in Argentina, a football-mad country where there are pockets of players who are into amateur rugby.

"There's the real competitiveness that they have, and their willingness to win, grow, learn and play this beautiful, expansive style of rugby that's really suited for the sevens game.