Eagles Hope To Build On Start In Cape Town
Eagles Hope To Build On Start In Cape Town
USA selects team for Cape Town 7s
It's back to Round 2 as the USA Mens Sevens team looks to build on one of its best ever starts.
The Eagles made the final of the Dubai 7s, a tournament where they often don't perform especially well, and while the championship game itself was not the USA's finest half-hour, the overall result - second in the HSBC Sevens World Series - is a positive.
With Perry Baker tying for the tournament lead in tries, the Eagles beat Spain Wales, Fiji, and Australia, while losing twice to New Zealand (in pool play and in the final).
With Danny Barrett in explosive form, Martin Iosefo has been among the top offloaders on the circuit, and everyone else is looking healthy. Folau Niua set up the game-winning try over Australia, and has been, once again, a somewhat overlooked but crucial cog inthe machine.
Matai Leuta and Stephen Tomasin had their moments, too. Leuta scored two tries and finally unleashed the open-field running we've wanted to see, while Tomasin passed 50 World Series tries.
Not surprisingly, head coach Mike Friday has made no changes to the squad for Cape Town.
"This group is a big challenge second week as both Japan and Spain continued to improve with every game they play and were within a score of winning games against the traditional rugby super powers," said Friday. "We will need to be on point with our effort and accuracy and try to control possession in both of these games. The last game of the group will come against the hugely physical Argentina team where we are still to 'right the wrong' from that last game at Rugby World Cup Sevens as it still hurts every one of us."
Travel and recovery are, as always, crucial between Dubai and Cape Town - two tournaments that are paired but really aren't close to each other at all.
"This is the second week where we have had to limit what we do as a squad on the pitch," said Friday. "The initial 17-hour travel and three meal change over to Dubai is huge for us; and to then play the two days physically drains everything out of the boys. So, to fly another 11 hours one day later has carried a significant impact on our energy levels and bodies through the week.
"Due to that, we waited to finalize the squad and concentrated fully on trying to be ready without dwelling on last weekend where we are hugely disappointed to have lost the Gold medal. We are determined as a group to continue moving forward and trying to force the USA into the Top 4 in the world. This weekend gives us another opportunity to do that and the spirit of the squad is one of collective determination in what will be a very challenging and highly competitive tournament."
Finishing second in Dubai means a favorable draw for the USA this week. Japan, Spain, and Argentina join the Eagles in Pool B.
Men's Eagles Sevens Cape Town Roster
1. Carlin Isles
2. Ben Pinkelman
3. Danny Barrett
4. Matai Leuta
5. Brett Thompson
6. Kevon Williams
7. Folau Niua
8. Maceo Brown
9. Stephen Tomasin
10. Madison Hughes (C)
11. Perry Baker
12. Martin Iosefo
Injury Reserve:
13. Marcus Tupuola*
*Could make first HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series appearance.
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