Eagles 7's Gold Coast Preview

The U.S.A. Eagles 7's kick off the IRB Sevens Series this weekend in Australia at the Gold Coast 7's. Unlike past years, this will not be the first 7's event of the year for the team. Throughout the summer and into the fall, the team has been busy either with club championships, the NASC, the Pan-Am Games, or playing in Sri Lanka. This edition of the Eagles should be the most prepared of any Eagles team and that should hopefully lend itself to a fast start out of the gate.

The Players:

The major preparation for the series was the recent Pan-Am Games. While the Eagles didn't win the Gold they were after, the tournament was a perfect avenue to get some the players up to game speed for the 7's tour. Unfortunately, some of the members of that team, such as Blaine Scully, Roland Suniula, Mile Pulu, and Maka Unufe, were ruled out of this leg of the series with either injury or unavailability. Fortunately, the return to players like Matt Hawkins and the deep player pool that allows coach Caravelli to pick players like Miles Craigwell means that the turnover from the Pan-Am squad can be mitigated with experienced 7's players.

Even though the team may not have all played together in Guadalajara, that doesn't mean that the team doesn't have experience. Core players such as Hawkins, Craigwell, Mark Bokhoven, Shalom Suniula, Zack Test, Tai Enosa, and Colin Hawley all return. This should provide the Eagles with the steadiness needed to whether the first onslaught by teams such as South Africa and Australia. Folau Niua, who was excellent in the kicking game at the Pan-Am Games, and Peter Tiberio are holdovers from the Guadalajara. Duncan Kelm makes his way into the squad after being a steady presence in camps for the last few years. However, possibly the biggest addition to 7's camp is Nick Edwards who is back in the team after a prolonged absence from the team. Edwards was in Australia playing for Sydney University in the Shute Shield. He was the leading scorer a couple of years ago for the team and will want to pick up right where he left off. Joining Edwards after a spell away from the team in Mike Palefau. The Utah Warriors winger should bring a bit of pace into the side.

Overall, the squad looks to be just as quick as the team Caravelli took to Guadalajara, but may even have more bulk and strength. The return of Hawkins should help with size in the forward pack. With Edwards, Palefau, and Tiberio, speed shouldn't be a problem if the team can work the ball out into the right spots. Hopefully, this team will be able to score in bunches, something the Pan-Am squad struggled with.

The Opponents:

First up for the Eagles on Thursday evening, is last years Series runner-up, South Africa. The Blitzbokke have returned most of their squad from last year and should make for an uphill climb for the Eagles. However, South Africa are missing Cecil Afrika and being the first game of the series, you never know if an upset is possible. Next will be the host team Australia. It always seems that they U.S. gets stuck playing the host nation. Australia is a young and inexperienced side which could leave them open to upset, but it is always hard to underestimate and Australian side, especially one playing at home. Last up on Day 1 for the Eagles is Japan. The U.S. had mixed results against the Japanese last year, but will look to use their experience to get a win on Day 1.

The Day 1 Schedule:

South Africa vs. U.S.A. 11:47 p.m. est/8:47 p.m. pst (Thursday)

Australia vs. U.S.A. 3:15 a.m. est/12:15 a.m. pst (Friday)

U.S.A. vs. Japan 4:58 a.m. est/2: 58 a.m. pst (Friday)