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The second edition of the Premier Rugby Sevens takes place at San Jose’s PayPal Park on Saturday. It’s the opening leg of a three-tournament series that will move on to Washington, DC, next weekend and culminate in Austin, Texas, on July 30. The inaugural event took place in Memphis last October.
This year will see four teams competing in each of the men’s and women’s divisions. Along with individual tournament champions, there will be an overall series winner based on all results. This year will see a unique agreement with the Sacramento-based Rhinos Rugby Academy ‘licensing’ the Loggerheads team, while the other three teams have been populated by a spread of talent.
Among the men’s rosters are numerous Major League Rugby and Eagles Sevens representatives, while a mix of international talent is present in the women’s rosters. Coaches include the likes of former Canada scrumhalf Sean White, ex-Eagles captain Kelly Griffin, and the legend himself Waisale Serevi.
The captains on the men’s side of the tournament are USA Sevens international Logan Tago, NOLA Gold flanker Devin Short, San Diego Legion flyhalf Patrick Madden, and another Eagles rep and some-time San Diego flyer Marcus Tupuola. Leading the charge on the women’s side are former Netherlands captain Pleuni Kievit and Eagles trio Summer Harris-Jones, Alena Olsen, and Alex Sedrick.
Unfortunately some of the biggest names who were intending to participate have dropped out. Madison Hughes and Carlin Isles were announced on the initial men’s rosters, with Naya Tapper and Nicole Strasko on the women’s side. All four are missing from the final submissions.
The tournament kicks off at 3pm Eastern, noon Pacific, with a live stream available on Fubo Sports. Finals are scheduled to begin at 9pm Eastern, 6pm Pacific.
EXPERTS (MEN)
Aaron Cummings, Watson Filikitonga, Naima Fuala’au, Rob Johns, Corey Jones, Kekoa Kauwe, Terran Meek, Owen Sheehy, Logan Tago (capt.), Mattie Tago, Nolan Tuamoheloa, Anthony Welmers. Coaches: JK Anderson / Emil Walton.
EXPERTS (WOMEN)
Susan Adegoke, Amanda Berta, Spencer Boldt, Lauryn Bons, Kaitlyn Broughton, Caring de Freitas, Morgan Freeman, Summer Harris-Jones (capt.), Camille Johnson, Emerald Maze, Jade McGrath, Tyra Norlander. Coaches: Irene Gardner / Rosalind Chou.
HEADLINERS (MEN)
Adam Channel, Tommy Clark, Ross Depperschmidt, Tai Enosa, Kenneth Jinkins, Skyler Mitchell, Jerome Nale, Brady Rush, Ishmail Shabazz, Devin Short (capt.), Coleson Warner, Lance Williams. Coaches: Andrew Locke / Lauren Barber.
HEADLINERS (WOMEN)
Dajian Brown, Emma Farnan, Abby Gustaitis, Laura Hurff, Grace Kukutai, Lindsey Mahoney, Dana Meschisi, Alena Olsen (capt.), Kira Peary, AnnaKaren Pedraza, Alexis Pusch, Jenn Salomon. Coaches: Tim Stanfill / Peter Tiberio.
LOGGERHEADS (MEN)
Derek Adams, Cian Barry, Jake Cassidy, Christiaan du Toit, Brock Gallagher, James Hare, Dom Iacovino, Matai Leuta, Patrick Madden (capt.), Anthony Munoz, Jeremiah Munoz, Ayemere Oiyemhonlan. Coaches: Waisale Serevi / Tiffany Fa’ae’e.
LOGGERHEADS (WOMEN)
Pleuni Kievit (capt.), Autumn LoCicero, Hannah Lopez, Jessica Lu, Bowien Manuhutu, Alycia Namosimalua, Angie Olukunmi, Leila Opeti, Megan Pinson-Neyen, Sophia Pryz, Stephanie Rovetti, Liz Tafuna. Coaches: Katie Dowty / Andre Snyman.
LOONES (MEN)
Connor Buck, Jared Douglas, Matt Drzewiecki, David Hightower, Kahanu Koi, Aki Raymond, John Ryberg, Kal Sager, Faitala Talapusi, Marcus Tupuola (capt.), James Vaifale, Cole Zarcone. Coaches: Sean White / Nese Malifa.
LOONIES (WOMEN)
Sofia Brussoni, Julia Folk, Isabela González, Madison Hovren, Kira Katan, Carissa Norsten, Temi Ogunjimi, Denise Roy, Alex Sedrick (capt.), Shoshanah Seumanutafa, Sativa Tarau-Peehikuru, Alex Wantlin. Coaches: Kelly Griffin / Robin MacDowell.
