The US Eagles might have been finalists for the first time in Dubai, but none of their players have been rewarded with selection to the official HSBC Dream Team. In fact only one player from the two finalists – New Zealand’s Andrew Knewstubb – was named in the select seven.
Instead it’s 8th-place Argentina who contribute the only player from the Americas to be recognized. Marcos Moroni topped the try-scoring charts with 7 all told, one more than Eagles star Perry Baker who is a surprise omission.
Joining Moroni the forwards are England’s Ethan Waddleton and John Porch of Australia. 3rd-place England also contribute captain Tom Mitchell and record try-scorer Dan Norton, who makes the grade despite scoring only three times in Dubai. Australia playmaker Maurice Longbottom rounds out the backs.