Tough choices ahead for Middleton

Canadian fans shouldn’t be alarmed with this past weekend’s result in North Carolina. The writing was on the wall long before the teams showed up. A win would have been a considerable upset, and if we’re honest, it wasn’t even close. The Eagles were comprehensively the better side.

Unfortunately this means waiting the best part of a year for the final qualifying tournament. The timing is far from ideal for just about everyone involved. Supporters who might wish to travel to Rio will have to change their plans on very short notice, as will the players and coaching staff, though to be fair they will be the last to complain.

The good thing is that it gives time for Liam Middleton to really stamp his name on the team. He was basically handed a pre-packaged side when he arrived late, well after the series had already started. Over the next 12 months, which will comprise the full 10-stop 2015/16 HSBC World Series, Middleton has to make the team his own.

His work must begin immediately, and his decisions must be harsh. Those players involved in the World Cup, and there will be several, must be given an ultimatum – choose sevens or fifteens, you can’t have both. Middleton must stand his ground to both players and to administrators if they get in his way. With the exception of the World Cup, Mike Friday has full and undisturbed access to his players. The same must be extended to Middleton.

This means overseas pros like Taylor Paris and Tyler Ardron cannot be included in the squad. As we saw on the weekend, that’s a relatively easy decision to make. Ardron was fine against the minnows, but in the final he was a fish out of water. Paris hardly even saw the field. These players have already made their decision, let them excel in where they are most comfortable.

Perhaps the most glaring observation from the season has been our lack of genuine pace. The Americas now have two world class speedsters in Perry Baker and Carlin Isles. Our two fastest – Justin Douglas and Jeff Hassler – were left on the sidelines. Nominated gas-man Sean Duke was beaten for pace three times on the weekend. Once by Agboola Silverthorn, once by Baker, and once by Danny Barrett. The Duke of yesterday would never have been outpaced by a back rower. He remains a quality finisher, but he is no longer a winger at the highest level.

Next Middleton must file through the ranks and decide who will be up to it in a year’s time, and who won’t. There are several in the squad who have been living on reputation this season. Romanticism has no place in sevens. There are exciting young athletes throughout the country who are ready to be tested. Bring on the competition.

Think back to the u20 side that just competed in Portugal. Players like Andrew Coe and Theo Sauder spring to mind, Mitch Santilli another. Ollie Nott looks tailor-made for the faster game. These players won’t be ready tomorrow, and they still might not be in four months when the new season kicks off, but give them six months of intensive training and they will come on leaps and bounds. Our most impressive performances this year came from the new names. Adam Zaruba, Admir Cejvanovic, Pat Kay.

The repechage route will be much tougher than NACRA. Pool matches will be against series regulars and one of the Pacific Island teams, likely Samoa, will stand at the final gate. The status quo will not be good enough to win. It’s time for Middleton to take charge.