USA Cleans Up In Sevens World Series Awards

USA Cleans Up In Sevens World Series Awards

USA players get awards at World Series Awards

Jun 7, 2019 by Alex Goff
Carlin Isles Talks Getting To The Top

Paris—The USA led the awards at the wrap party for the 2019 HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series.

The Awards celebration this year recognized what was an all-time-great season for the Eagles.

Carlin Isles won the Gilbert Trop Try Scorer Award, as he logged 52 tries over the course of the season to lead the World Series.

"I'm very grateful for it, I thank my teammates a lot for it, but to do it back-to-back is amazing," said Isles, who had more game time after Perry Baker was injured. But Isles is always quick to point to his team.

"We've conquered a lot," he said. "We keep going from there.

Spain won the Don't Crack Under Pressure Award for beating New Zealand in Vancouver, while Fiji's Vili Botitu won the DHL Impact Player Award for the entire series. Meli Derelenagi of Fiji was named Rookie of the Year.

But the Americans came away with more.

Danny Barrett won the UL Mark of Excellence Award for his thundering run and try against New Zealand in Cape Town.


"I'm definitely very aggressive," Barrett said. "I grew up with two older brothers and growing up kind of the runt of the litter you've got to fight for your scraps."

Barrett, who played four years at Cal, was recognized by his old college team.

"What a steady, reliable force Danny is for the USA team. He brings a high level of physicality and relentlessness to the team," said Cal head coach Jack Clark. "He gave us the same at Cal. We're proud of him and pleased for him."

USA head coach Mike Friday was named Capgemini Coach of the Series for guiding the USA to 2nd in the standings.

And in the World Series Dream Team for the season, three Americans were named. Ben Pinkelman, Stephen Tomasin, and Folau Niua all made the list, joining Fijians Derenalagi, Botitu, Jerry Tuwai, and Aminiasi Tuimaba.

This was an astounding development, when you consider that some of the more well-known USA players were injured. The selectors recognized the hard work all three of those USA athletes have done to make the Eagles strong.