ARN 2015 Super 7

It’s time to kick off our first annual year-end awards. There’s no doubt the Eagles 7s have emerged as the choice team from the Americas on the men’s circuit. Their victory in London to end the 2014-15 season was nothing short of exceptional, and they are now just about rubbing shoulders with the very best sides in the world. With the addition of sevens to the Olympics, the abbreviated code continues to reach new heights and 2016 promises to be the biggest in its history. As we march towards that watershed moment, here are the players who impressed us the most over the past 12 months.

1 – John Moonlight (Canada) Captain Fantastic and Mr. Perpetual Motion continues to put in the work each and every week. While his teammates have floundered, his quality has never wavered and it was impossible not to include him in the side. Argentina’s Fernando Luna has also had a fine year, and USA’s Andrew Durutalo was another candidate who wouldn’t look out of place in the side.

2 – Zack Test (USA) One of the poster-boys for USA rugby is another must inclusion. His ability at the restarts and never say die attitude make him invaluable for the team, and that’s ignoring his try scoring exploits. Santiago Álvarez of Argentina impressed later in the year and looks like one who could provide a serious challenge in the future.

3 – Danny Barrett (USA) Missed out on the first two legs of the new season, but his status as one of the premier power forwards on the circuit is undeniable. Could have earned his spot based on his sensational performance in London alone.

4 – Madison Hughes (USA) An easy choice at halfback and one of the outstanding international players of the season. After some early hiccups, he’s made the captaincy his own and leads by example. Another whose efforts in London were of the highest order.

5 – Gastón Revol (Argentina) The contentious playmaker position goes to the Pumas 7s skipper, who battled with injury at times this year but showed his class on numerous occasions. A creative footballer who can kick accurately off both feet, his vision and experience are crucial both with ball in hand and in the sweeper role in defense. USA’s mercurial Folau Niua was also in the running, while injury deprived Canada’s Nathan Hirayama of greater consideration.

6 – Conor Trainor (Canada) A razor-thin decision ahead of the USA’s outstanding Maka Unufe, the electric Canadian’s thrilling individual skills and ability to create something out of nothing earn him a spot in the team. Sometimes used in the forwards, it’s at centre – or rover as the Fijians like to call it – where he’s at his best. With Ciaran Hearn now testing the waters of professional rugby in England, it’s Trainor’s jersey to lose if he can just stay fit.

7 – Perry Baker (USA) The double-barreled flyer strategy for the Eagles has worked like a charm, but for this team there can be only one. Baker gets the nod over Carlin Isles for a mesmeric calendar year that culminated with his historic try against New Zealand in Dubai. Also worth a mention is Argentina’s abrasive Axel Müller, an altogether different style of finisher who is also used in the forwards.