An unlikely champion was crowned at the Seven in Viña 2023. Old Boys, one of the most traditional clubs in Chilean Rugby, obtained for the first time the title of the competition after beating Old John’s from San Pedro de la Pax (Biobío) with a score of 35-7 at the decisive match of the competition.
The team from the capital city directed by the argentinian Francisco Scarpinelli arrived to Reñaca with two world class national team players in their ranks: Benjamín de Vidts (San Francisco 2018) and Julio Blanc (Cape Town 2022), taking the crown undefeated with six wins in six matches.
"It has been an extremely long tournament, three matches per day, an endless tiredness and I think the difference was defined by having 12 players that were willing to give their lives for their team mates with the same level or better than the ones on the field, and that was the key to success,” said Ian Otersen, captain of the team based in the Colina district.
In the rest of the group, the local Old Mack’s ended in third place after beating COBS with a score of 14-7 in the bronze definition. In fifth place, CD Alumni beat Sporting by 26-12.
The next challenges of the Chilean seven will be the Stellenbosch Male Challenger (South Africa) in March, which allows the entry to a promotion tournament in London, in May, for the World Circuit. And in November, the Male and Female branches will host the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games competition at the Municipal Stadium in La Pintana district.
The former students from Grange celebrated in Reñaca their first title at the Seven in Viña (picture: Vicente Figueroa/Prensa Rugby Seven DFSK Viña 2023)
THE ROAD OF THE CHAMPION
Groups phase - Saturday, January 14th
24-5 against Old Georgians (Vitacura)
31-0 against Sporting (Viña)
24-5 against Huazihul de San Juan (ARG)
Playoffs - Sunday, January 15th
38-5 against PWCC (La Reina), in quarter finals
29-0 against Old Mack's (Viña), in semi-finals
35-7 against Old John's (San Pedro de la Paz), in finals
THE TEAM
Manuel BUSTAMANTE
Agustín PLANELLA
Ian OTERSEN (captain)
Benjamín GOÑI
Felipe BERRY
Julio BLANC - Seven world championship player in 2022
José Tomás MATURANA
Benjamín DE VIDTS - Seven world championship player in 2018
Maximiliano ROBLES
Pastor MELO
Álvaro CASTRO
Caetano JACKSON
STAFF
Coach: Francisco SCARPINELLI/ARG
Assistant: Federico SEGURA/ARG
Fitness trainer: Carlos ALONSO
Physical Therapist: Sebastián CAMPAÑA
Manager: Raimundo HERESI
Picture: Víctor Montalva/Old Boys
SANTIAGO 2023 COMMUNICATIONS
E-mail: comunicaciones@santiago2023.org
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