International Comparisons For Up-and-Coming Falcons

International Comparisons For Up-and-Coming Falcons

Fourteen up-and-coming USA sevens newbies possess similar size and styles to these 14 established stars.

Jan 11, 2019 by Austin Willis
International Comparisons For Up-and-Coming Falcons

After a fairly solid performance at the Puna Del Este Sevens, the USA Falcons turn their attention to Vina Del Mar Sevens in Chile this coming weekend.

It won't be easy, given that Canada and Argentina are in the Falcons' pool. While winning is always the goal, development of 14 up-and-coming American sevens players is also crucial. What will these players become? Not to set the bar too high, but these young Falcons possess similar size and styles to these 14 established sevens stars.

Here's a look:

Harley Wheeler (Hooker, Life University)


Wheeler has been on a try-scoring tear of late after putting up three tries in the D1A final against Cal, and many more with the Collegiate All-Americans in Glendale and the men's national champion Bulldog side. Beyond hairstyle, Dan Bibby is a solid comparison for Wheeler as both play with an aggressive edge and neither shies away from contact. Wheeler and Bibby are rangy defenders and punch above their weight at the breakdown.

Player Comparison: Dan Bibby (England) 

Austin White (Center, Life University)

White held down the other wing for Life University opposite Harley Wheeler, and now the two will see more time as teammates in USA jerseys. White has speed, but doesn't rely on it to contribute.

The wing proved to be a shutdown defender in fifteens at the collegiate level and was often relied on to pressure the opposition in the kick-chase for Life. The USA coaching staff labeled White as a center, and that decision likely had much to do with White's passing ability at pace. Darcy Graham seems to be a fitting comparison as an international contributor in both fifteens and sevens. Both Graham and White rely on their footwork and field vision above raw athleticism.

Player Comparison: Darcy Graham (Scotland) 

Maciu Koroi (Prop, Life University) 

Koroi was the no. 8 for Life University and will prop for this Falcons squad. Like Matai Leuta, Maciu Koroi has a rare combination of size, speed and strength. Every sevens squad has the guy that can be counted on to reset the attack by taking multiple defenders to ground. Koroi is that guy for this squad, and an absolute bully with the stiff-arm.

Player Comparison: Matai Leuta (USA)

Cody Melphy (Center, Men's Sevens Residency)

Melphy has capped for the senior squad in the World Series, but for this Sudamérica sevens tour Melphy is relied on to spot gaps for his speedy side.  

Melphy seems to always have his head on a swivel just like his player comparison, Kurt Baker. Baker and Melphy have an innate feel for their support runners and have an arsenal of tricky offloads. Each can also set their attacking line speed with first-step quickness paired with a lengthy pass.

Player Comparison: Kurt Baker (New Zealand)

D'montae Noble (Fly Half, Kutztown University)

Noble is the best stepper in North America, and the Sudamérica defenders may not be aware of his ankle graveyard (also known as his highlight reel). On the HSBC World Series, every defender is aware of Jerry Tuwai's lateral ability and they are forced to slow play him on defense. Same goes for D'montae Noble. Defenders think they can rush up because of Noble's short stature. But the Kutztown wing has the vision, timing and acceleration to make defenders look foolish and pedal away.

As one of the best sevens players in the world, Jerry Tuwai has more tools than just his sidestep. But it is how defenders are forced to approach him that makes Tuwai comparable to Noble. Along with their small frames.

Player Comparison: Jerry Tuwai (Fiji)

Ben Broselle (Wing, Men's Sevens Residency / UCLA) 

As a two-sport transfer from football and wrestling Broselle displays rare speed for his size. Broselle had his impact moment in the College Rugby Championship for UCLA where he scored four tries in the quarterfinal match including the extra-time dagger. Built like a true inside center, Broselle can be a size or speed mismatch for opposing wings. Scott Curry is a fitting comparison for Broselle as straight-line wings with imposing statures.

Player Comparison: Scott Curry (New Zealand)  

Marcus Tupuola (Center, Men's Sevens Residency)

Tupuola might be the best all-around player on this list. He has so many ways to attack the defense with a hop-step and a boot in tool kit. Tupuola was a spark plug in attack for the men's sevens national champion Bulldog squad. Tupuola and Branco Du Preez are players that can freeze a defense with a step and immediately back himself in setting the team's attack.

Tupuola's boot might be the most slept-on aspect to his game. The only thing standing between Tupuola and the senior squad may be size, but size never stopped Branco Du Preez.

Player Comparison: Branco Du Preez (South Africa)

Naima Fuala'au (Scrum Half, Men's Sevens Residency)

Fuala'au is used as the pivot to efficiently move the ball across the field and attack both sides. Fuala'au has strong counter-attacking ability and could make for one dangerous sweeper. Vilimoni Botitu is the hinge for the Fiji attack in the World Series, where he can feed their big runners. With all the athletes on this young Falcons squad someone has to be the facilitator. Naima Fuala'au has experience on the senior squad and will likely drive the young athletes around the park. 

Player Comparison: Vilimoni Botitu (Fiji)

Johnny Mahe (Fly Half, Men's Sevens Academy)

Mahe wore the red, white and blue for the Youth Olympic squad where his stop-and-go ability boosted him into this Falcons roster. In the past, Mahe has been compared to Make Unufe, but that comparison seems to have more to do with looks than play style. Johnny Mahe preys on overaggressive defenses with his ability accelerate and decelerate in no time. Only time will tell if his stiff-arm will continue to be a part of his game on the international level. 

Like Nathan Hiriyama, Mahe would rather bait a defender and bounce through a small gap than try to open one up a hole with brute strength.

Player Comparison: Nathan Hiriyama (Canada)

Eric Naposki-Abdalah (Center, UCLA) 

Napolski-Abdalah is one of those players who looks like he's playing at a different pace than everyone else. The way he stops on a dime and chooses the perfect angle to accelerate draws defenders tighter and tighter. Napolski-Abdalah's fast-twitch ability is a blessing to a sevens squad needing a breath because he can stall and freeze a defense. Phoenix Hunapo-Nofoa blew up the internet with his Samoan sidestep, and I think Eric Napolski-Abdalah could do the same with more cameras watching.

Player Comparison: Phoenix Hunapo-Nofoa (Samoa)

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Thomas Robles (Prop, Unattached) 

Tall and rangy but powerful, Robles does what Chris Dry used to do (before everyone wised up): he lulls you into the false sense that he might wilt under intense pressure. The opposite is true. Robles is physically powerful, brave and intense. 


He doesn't back down. In fact, we almost wanted to compare him to this other Cal grad, Danny Barrett, except Barrett is built differently, and Robles may well be better in the air. 

In fact, he kind of makes us think of this:


Player Comparison: Chris Dry (South Africa)

Joe Schroeder (Prop, Men's Sevens Residency)


Look at the frame on this guy. Schroeder has big, square shoulders and as he continues in his residency, he will build on that size and his knowledge of the game. Then you will see him use that special combination of size and ability to eat up yardage with his stride, just like England's James Rodwell.

Player Comparison: James Rodwell (England)

Faitala Talapusi (Fly Half, Men's Sevens Residency)

Talapusi is the utility piece for this roster because his flexible skill set and size allow him to play every position. In sevens, the utility piece is crucial in long tournaments as an injury substitute or to take minutes of multiple player's legs. Mike Friday often likes his scrum half and fly halfs to be interchangeable and Talapusi can do both. Talapusi and Folau Niua are comparable in their playmaking ability and tricky handles, along with decent size for a fly half.

Player Comparison: Folau Niua (USA)

Travion Clark (Wing, Glendale Merlins) 

Travion Clark is the gas man for this squad. When Clark gets the ball, he is trying to turn the corner on the defense much like Carlin Isles. Clark will serve as a valuable asset for this Falcons squad because he'll force the defense to player wider. Clark and Isles can open holes for their teammates without having ball in hand.


Player Comparison: Carlin Isles (USA)