USA women's sevens team head coach Richie Walker has named his squad for the Sydney Sevens on Jan. 25-27.

The Eagles are looking to build on a somewhat surprising second-place finish at the Dubai Sevens on Dec. 1 and will be in a very tough Pool B with England, Japan, and New Zealand.

New Zealand might hold less consternation for the Americans now that the Eagles have beaten the Black Ferns. After getting thumped by New Zealand in pool play in Dubai, the USA rebounded to win in dramatic fashion in the quarterfinals the next day.

WHAT A WIN! @USAWomens7s grab a shock win against @BlackFerns at the #Dubai7s to progress to the semi-final where they will face Russia pic.twitter.com/Se7GJxwExt

— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) December 1, 2017

Kelsi Stockert scored that try to set up Alev Kelter's conversion and the 14-12 victory. But Stockert didn't get a lot of playing time afterward and won't be on the squad for Sydney — something that FloRugby fans noticed in a recent poll.

During the Cup semifinal, Kelter scored two tries, and converted two, to take down Russia and earn a spot on the tournament Dream Team. Australia won comfortably in the final, but the Eagles had still made a statement.

Kelter is currently ranked in the top five for conversions and serving as the team's leading scorer with 29 total points. She is also the Eagles' most powerful runner in traffic and very strong over the ball in the breakdown. 

Alongside Kelter, captain Nicole Heavirland has been consistent and playing intelligently, setting up Naya Tapper for tries. Meanwhile, Cheta Emba showed her class and scored the game-winner against Russia. Like Stockert, Emba is a player who has been knocking on the door for some time.

Quinnipiac up-and-comer Natalie Kosko joins the Eagles roster, which includes Sarah Buonopane, Kiki Morgan, and Tia Blythe on an increasingly young and more physical team.

"We came out of Dubai finishing second which was a great achievement for us as Dubai hasn't been one of our best stops in the past," Walker said. "We have a lot of work to do, and our mission for Australia is to better perform as a team and to be more consistent. The momentum from Dubai definitely helps us do that."

Walker said competition at camp was strong and it's now a case of picking the best 12 for each tournament, implying that competition for places is stiff. Competition for places in the top eight is also tough.

"Every pool is tough these days and for us it is one game at a time," he said. "England is going to be strong and really coming back into form with some players returning. Japan is a well-drilled and disciplined team, and New Zealand we have seen a lot of over the last year as they are always ready and the current World Series champions."

USA Women's Sevens Roster For Sydney 7s

Tia Blythe
Sarah Buonopane
Ryan Carlyle
Jordan Gray
Abby Gustaitis
Nicole Heavirland (C)
Alev Kelter
Natalie Kosko
Kiki Morgan
Naya Tapper
Cheta Emba
Hope Rogers

USA STAFF:

Richie Walker, Head Coach
Sarah Leslie, Athletic Trainer
Jon Hood, Head of Physical Preparation
Dave Gardner, Analyst
Liz Strohecker, Team Manager