’We’re hungry for more’: Spanish men’s team aiming for the stars

The critical aspect to Spain’s stunning start to the men’s HSBC SVNS season is that the players know exactly how they have got there. 

This is no fluke, no flash in the pan, according to those who have driven the men in red to the top of the table heading into the fourth season stop, in Vancouver this weekend.

For those on the outside, the turnaround has been dramatic. After twice finishing SVNS events in 11th place and twice 10th last season, Spain were forced into the SVNS Playoffs to fight for their place among the elites. 

If that was not enough, they then missed out on a coveted place at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games – the “lowest point” according to wing Jeremy Trevithick. 

But signs of their renaissance were there, even in those dark times. 

“It hasn’t happened from nothing,” Trevithick said. “We were feeling good about ourselves at the start of this season. We were starting to play better rugby at the end of last season and we were feeling pretty confident with our work.” 

A number of key developments had come to fruition to give weight to this uplift in anticipation. 

Team relocation

First, the players had sacrificed everything for the team. 

“What changed from last season is that we all now live in the same city, we all moved to Malaga,” captain and long-time talisman Pol Pla explained. 

“What that’s done is it’s made us see each other every single day. We train together more hours than we ever did before, we see each other off the field. It has built the team chemistry and that’s definitely helped us on the field.” 

Sevens is ‘sacrifice’ according to Pla. He should know, he has had to up sticks from Barcelona, where his girlfriend lives. 

Trevithick, eight years Pla’s junior, explained further the impact of the move. 

“We’re basically together all day. We train and then we live in apartments together. We see each other all the time,” the 23-year-old explained. 

“One of the things that defines us is that, honestly, we play as such a team. We’re not individuals. Whenever someone makes a bad decision on the field or a good decision, we’re always, always there for the player. We just connect so well as a team. We’re all on the same page on the field. Everyone knows their job and what they have to do.

“No egos.”

‘Everything changed’

As part of this, the players also agreed to take responsibility to be in the best possible physical and mental shape. 

This commitment has been matched by the national federation, who have ensured the team have the facilities they need, and the coaches, who are on call 24/7. This last part was crucial for Trevithick. 

“Everything started when Paco Hernandez came in a few seasons ago,” the winger said, referring to the team’s head coach. “He brought in a new fitness coach, he brought in a new physio, and that’s when everything changed.”

Combined with a driving motivation to ensure they never feel that pain of missing out on another Olympic Games, has brought about a dramatic uptick in results. 

In the season-opener in Dubai, Spain beat New Zealand twice in two days, including a 19-17 semi-final win during which Pla scored his 100th try for Spain. A first-ever appearance in a final was followed by a fourth-place finish in Cape Town and a third place in Perth. Victories against South Africa, Ireland and Great Britain have flowed. 

Crucially, none of this has come as a surprise to Pla. 

“It’s not only the fact that we beat them, it’s the way we played against teams,” the veteran explained. “Before, if we won against a big nation, it would maybe be a bit of luck, you know. Or a very, very hard game for us. And what’s changed now is that when we play these big teams, it’s not luck. We can dominate bigger teams.” 

’We’re confident that we can win’

As a result, ambitions have changed. 

“Before, our goals were probably not to get relegated, but now we are confident,” Pla said. “It’s a good opportunity for teams outside Spain to realise that Spain is a country that can be really, really good. And for people who live in Spain to realise that rugby might be a good sport they can try.” 

The record try scorer is aware that a tournament victory would really help, while winning the whole SVNS series would be transformational. 

As for whether they can do it… “Why not?” is Pla’s reply. Trevithick is even more forthright. 

“We’re going to go for it. We’re hungry for more,” the youngster said. “Every time we go into a game or into a tournament, our mentality is: we have to win, no matter who we’ve got in front of us. We want to win, and we’re confident that we can win.”