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BUENOS AIRES -- The Olympics are looming, and even though the Argentina Sevens coach Santiago Gomez Cora doesn't want to anticipate what will happen in Rio in August, he is leaving no stone unturned in his preparation. He said a long time ago that he wouldn't take anyone who hadn't won a place in the team - effectively meaning he won't fast-track in untried 15s internationals - and that's why his squad list for Paris and London includes Santiago Cordero, Matias Moroni and Javier Rojas, but not Juan Imhoff. Is the wing from Racing 92 already out of the Olympic team? No. The coach explains it to ESPN.

Gomez Cora knows what the three new names on his list are capable of. He knew Cordero and Moroni before they earned their spots on the Pumas XV and the Jaguares, and before Rojas decided to continue his career at French side Albi. Still, as he did with Javier Ortega Desio in Singapore and Hong Kong, he needs to see them on a Sevens field and they need to prove they have what it takes to go to Rio.

"The idea is for them to build their Sevens pace, participate in week group practices, train and understand the new system." Gomez Cora told ESPN. "We changed our way of attacking and defending, and they will be tested."

But what about Imhoff? The coach is keen on the player and there have been talks for him to enter the World Series and then have him in the team that will play in the Games. However, Imhoff is playing with Racing 92 and he still hasn't got his club's approval. Besides, the French side have reached the final of the European Cup for the first time in their history and that has complicated the plans to try and unleash him at the Paris Sevens (May 14-15).

ESPN: Do you still want to take Imhoff?

Gomez Cora: We always want the best players. There is window open for Imhoff. Hopefully we will be able to see him soon and he´s still in the race.

You won't take to Rio a player you haven't tried out in the Series?

That's our goal, that's the idea. We have an extensive list of 40 we had to hand over and there are players on that list that we won't try. Such as Martin Landajo, for example. We want to avoid what happened in the Sudamericano, when three players at the same position were injured and we were forced to take someone completely new. Now, we have top level players and depth in case something bad happens.

Why have you have called on France-based Rojas?

He´s been with us and he also played the most Sevens among the ones we are testing now, and he has done outstandingly well. He´s a 10, along with Batu Ezcurra, and we are happy to have that position covered. He´s been good throughout the year. We want to try him along with his peers and give him the chance to earn a spot in the squad.

How do you evaluate your form in the World Series?

Throughout the year, we have been able to replace missing players as our game management and system has evolved and we realise that it is more than just the names. But we needed a little bit more. We lacked consistency in Vancouver and Las Vegas, in Hong Kong we played better but couldn't qualify, and in Singapore we had a perfect first day and just a good second day.

© (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

Are you chasing the title at Paris and London?

What we really want is to play the semi-finals or the finals. Obviously, that will position us nicely in the rankings and we want to experience the stress of such games. We want to learn against tough teams, but of course, to become champions would be a dream come true.

Are you already thinking about the Games?

No, I´m not even counting the days. I don't even want to know the date when I have to announce the 12, which will be the hardest part for those left out. I know all of them are fighting to stay. These are slim margins. This is their last chance, now in Paris and in London.

How many players do you have in your head right now?

Six are definites and there will be 12 more fighting for a place in the team.

Is Juan Imhoff one of those 12?

Without a shadow of a doubt.