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Mike Friday has named his Men’s Eagles 7s squad for the first stop on the European leg of the HSBC Sevens Series, to kick off at the Stade Jean Bouin in Paris on May 13. Two changes have been made to the group that dropped the Bowl final to Scotland in Singapore.
Ben Pinkelman returns from school commitments to take the place of Pat Blair in the forwards, and Thretton Palamo is recalled at the expense of Peter Tiberio. Palamo’s inclusion suggests a change of position for Nate Ebner, who lined up in the forwards in Singapore but now appears set to take a spot in the backs. Zack Test is also a capable of playing in the backs and forwards, though his aerial expertise has seen him selected largely at hooker in recent tournaments.
Carlin Isles and Matai Leuta are ruled out with injury, joining long-term casualties Nick Edwards, Kevin Swiryn, and Brett Thompson on the sidelines. The quality of the squad as it stands is a testament to the impressive squad depth that Friday now has at his disposal.
The Eagles currently sit in 5th spot on the overall season standings, now just three points ahead of a resurgent Argentina. Australia are one spot above, a full 20 points ahead and unlikely to be caught before season’s end. Fiji remain overall leaders and favorites to repeat as Series Champions with 147 points from eight tournaments, eight ahead of second place South Africa.
USA have been drawn in hyper-competitive Pool D in Paris, along with Argentina, France, and Canada.
MEN’S EAGLES 7s
Nate Augspurger, Perry Baker, Danny Barrett, Garrett Bender, Nate Ebner, Madison Hughes (capt.), Martin Iosefo, Folau Niua, Thretton Palamo, Ben Pinkelman, Zack Test, Maka Unufe
