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While HSBC Sevens Series core sides USA and Canada have opted to bring development sides to Avaya Stadium, Chile will send their strongest available side to the Silicon Valley 7s this weekend. Several players who might have otherwise traveled with the Cóndores XVs team on their November tour will instead concentrate on sevens with an eye to earning core status on Hong Kong next spring.
Long-time captain Felipe Brangier will lead the side that contains one new name in 19-year-old forward Nicolás Garafulic, who was part of the World Rugby u20 Trophy team that traveled to Montevideo in August. Benjamin De Vidts, 22, is another young player looking for chances after being used exclusively as a reserve in Vancouver and Las Vegas.
The rest of the side has a formidable look to it with a number of players who impressed in limited HSBC Sevens Series opportunities earlier this year. Julio Blanc, Marcelo Torrealba, and Lucas Westcott have all emerged as top sevens players while Ignacio Silva and Rodrigo Fernández will pass on test rugby to prepare for the Sudamerica 7s series and ultimately Hong Kong.
Chile have been draw in Pool C along with Tonga, New Zealand, and hosts USA.
CHILE 7s
Julio Blanc (Old Boys), Felipe Brangier (capt., PWCC), Benjamín De Vidts (Old Boys), Rodrigo Fernández (COBS), Nicolás Garafulic (COBS), Francisco Metuaze (PWCC), Ignacio Silva (PWCC), Marcelo Torrealba (Old Boys), Francisco Urroz (Old Reds), Martín Verschae (Viña), Pedro Verschae (Viña), Lucas Westcott (Old Boys)
DAY ONE FIXTURES
Nov 4 – 12:28 PT / 15:28 ET – vs New Zealand
Nov 4 – 16:06 PT / 19:06 ET – vs Tonga
Nov 4 – 20:00 PT / 23:00 ET – vs USA
