Three back as Eagles fly to HK
Sat, 22 Mar 2008 21:21
United States coach Al Caravelli has recalled three players for the upcoming Hong Kong and Adelaide legs of the International Rugby Board (IRB) Sevens World Series.
The US Eagles squad was named following a highly competitive camp at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, US.
The team departed on Saturday, March 22, for Hong Kong to play in the three-day tournament next week - from March 28 to 30 - before flying off to Australia for the Adelaide Sevens on April 5 and 6.
Boosting to the US Sevens squad are three athletes who did not play in the San Diego or Wellington legs of the IRB series.
Returning to the team is playmaker Jone Naqica, who last represented the US in Dubai last December, as well as Vili Matanibukaca, who played for the Sevens Eagles in Hong Kong last year, but was sidelined for the first four 2007-2008 IRB tournaments due to injury.
Continuing Caravelli's push to youth and speed, Texas wing Justin Boyd will make his IRB Series debut in Hong Kong after impressing coaches with his defensive skills at the Chula Vista camp.
The remainder of the squad is comprised of players who competed in the last two IRB Sevens events.
Captain Chris Wyles leads the team and backline, which also includes Nese Malifa, Troy Hall, Jason Pye and Dallen Stanford.
The vice-captain is powerhouse Todd Clever, who leads fellow forwards Matt Hawkins, Thretton Palamo and James Gillenwater.
"It is very exciting to see how hard each one of the players worked while they were away. Their fitness scores were once again over the top," Caravelli said.
"Every player showed huge improvements - even the players who were at the top of our charts blew them away. When translated to the pitch, it means our team can really push the pace against our competition."
Heading into Hong Kong, the US team is currently ranked 12th in the 2007-2008 IRB Sevens standings - their best placement to date. The team meets Tunisia, Chinese Taipei and Series frontrunner New Zealand during Hong Kong pool play.
Looking ahead to the Sevens Eagles' inaugural appearance in Adelaide April 5 and 6, the competition does not get easier, as they face current series runners-up South Africa, host Australia and cross-border rival Canada, who will look to avenge two defeats at the hands of the US in the last two IRB Sevens outings.
"This is an awesome looking squad. It's fit, fast, powerful and very exciting with the ball in hand," Caravelli added.
"I know that everyone will be very proud of this team back home. They are very excited to represent USA on the biggest stage of Sevens in the world and the following week will be our first time at Adelaide."
United States: Justin Boyd (Texas A&M), Todd Clever (OMBAC), James Gillenwater (At Large), Troy Hall (White Plains), Matthew Hawkins (OMBAC), Nese Malifa (Belmont Shore), Vili Matanibukaca (OMBAC), Jone Naqica (San Francisco Golden Gate), Thretton Palamo (Biarritz), Jason Pye (OMBAC), Dallen Stanford (Austin Blacks) and Chris Wyles (OMBAC).
Non-traveling reserves: Nic Johnson (Denver Barbarians), Dewon Reed (Glendale Raptors), Alex Ross (SDSU) and Mike Petri (NYAC).
