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USA 7s Head Coach Mike Friday has named his 13-man travelling squad for the second leg of the HSBC World Series. The Eagles head to Wellington, New Zealand for their next stop and then follow with Sydney, Australia. The USA enters the New Year tied for third place in the overall standings with Argentina. They sit just six points behind tournament leaders Fiji and South Africa, but could be even higher.
“I would have taken third place going into Christmas if offered to me at the start of the season,” Friday said in a release from USA Rugby, “as we knew we would be undercooked going into the first two legs. But with where we were and how things were unfolding, to say I am disappointed that we are not on at least 38 points at this stage is an understatement.
“We are in the ‘Group of Death’ in Wellington so we need to prepare ourselves to the best of our ability and not expect things to happen, but take control and make them happen.”
The Eagles are boosted by the return of Danny Barrett who is back after missing the first two tournaments with an injury. Barrett is capable of dominating the contact area and is a welcome addition to an already solid team. Barrett’s work at the breakdown could be the exactly what the USA needs to close the gap with the tournament leaders.
Friday names a veteran squad with only one new face on the roster. Ben Pinkelman could make his World Series debut. Pinkelman is one of the rising stars in USA Rugby. Another athletic back rower, Pinkelman is tracking towards an Eagles’ Cap in 15s and could be making his first appearance for the 7s National team in just a few days.
Madison Hughes leads the squad on the field and has continued to show why he is considered one of the top playmakers on the World Series. Hughes is currently 3rd in World Series points this season with 87 in two tournaments.
The USA faces off with England, France, and Samoa in Pool play in Wellington. It is the toughest pool the Eagles have faces this season. Both England and France have handed the USA losses this season. France, in particular, is much improved from last season and has shown the ability to beat any team on the circuit. Samoa sits at the 4th seed in the pool and is always a danger. The USA needs to reach the Cup round to keep their Top 4 standing and this group should prove to be difficult.
The Eagles kick off play at the Wellington Sevens on Friday.
Men’s Eagles Sevens
Nate Augspurger
Perry Baker
Danny Barrett
Will Holder
Madison Hughes
Matai Leuta
Carlin Isles
Folau Niua
Thretton Palamo
Ben Pinkelman
Maka Unufe
Kevin Swiryn
Zack Test
