The USA has moved up one place in the Sevens World Series standings, to ninth, following a quarterfinal showing in New Zealand.
In first-day Wellington action, the Eagles toppled an unsettled Fijian team and handled the Cook Islands, but surrendered the lead in losing to Samoa. On day two, Chris Wyles' troops dropped their quarterfinal match against Argentina and were shut out by Plate champion South Africa.
Though the Cooks were the only unheralded opponent on the schedule, the 41-0 match proved pivotal because the heavy scoreline surmounted the 26-17 loss to Samoa. The US got the result it needed against a team that went on to win the Bowl (defeating Canada, Australia, and Tonga).
Heading into next weekend's home-field USA 7s tournament in San Diego, the Eagles have 8 points, tied with Portugal, and are within range of 7th-placed Samoa (12 points) and 6th-placed Kenya (18). Four points come with reaching the final 8 of a 16-team IRB tournament.
A year ago, the top 12 finishers were automatically invited to every event on the 8-tournament circuit. Though the Eagles finished just outside, nonetheless America replaced Canada as a series regular. With 2 quarterfinal appearances in the first 3 tournaments, Al Caravelli's squad so far has justified its elevation.
Captain Wyles tallied 5 tries in Wellington, taking his team-leading total to 8, which ties him for 6th on the IRB circuit with 6 other players, according to IRB data. The lead is 10.
Over the course of 10 IRB tournaments, Wyles has crossed for 41 tries and tallied 220 points. Jone Naqica was the only other Eagle to begin the tournament with a double-digit try count, according to the IRB.
Of the 12-man roster, only Naqica (22 tournaments), James Gillenwater (12), Dallen Stanford (11), and Wyles have been to 10 or more tournaments. That may suggest the Eagles are inexperienced, but leading teams typically feature 3 to 6 veterans of 15 or so tour stops mixed with relative novices. In Wellington, the US took the field without Todd Clever or Takudzwa Ngwenya, while blooding Rikus Pretorius and Roland Suniula.
The trick is to be able to use the whole roster in a series that has become increasingly competitive. From 6th place to 12th, the difference is largely match-day execution.
For the US, the next step is twofold. One, win a quarterfinal matchup so as to reach the more rarefied semifinal reserve of tour heavyweights Argentina, England, Fiji, New Zealand, and South Africa. Two, win second-day games in general so as to capture points from the Plate and Bowl divisions.
The Denver Barbarians' April 4 Super League match against the Chicago Lions will be held at Dick's Sporting Goods Park, an 18,000-seat Major League Soccer stadium.
Staging a regular-season contest at such a venue is a breakthrough for the Super League, which has aspired to play in such stadia from its inception over a dozen years ago. Dick's Sporting Goods Park would be the equal of most any rugby ground in Britain, Ireland, or France.
The Barbarians and Kroenke Sports, the stadium's owners, have agreed a three-year pact, the team announced. The Barbarians have been playing matches outside the stadium for three years.
How much in rent are they playing and how many people do they expect? Playing in a stadium good enough for European pro rugby is great, but 500 people in an 18,000 seat stadium looks pretty silly, especially if you're losing money on it.
Posted by: Flynn Hagerty | 07 February 2009 at 11:40
They charge $5 for basketball and football games at the local High School. I'd pay $5 or even $10 to watch a rugby match of that level of athleticism or greater (ex: top 20 D1 College Rugby game or D1 men playoff game or any Super League game).
I just wouldn't drive more than 20 minutes for it and Denver is 2,000 miles away. Good luck to them this season, hopefully they have disciplined gameplan this year.
Posted by: chubby little scrumhalf | 07 February 2009 at 13:15
Good stuff Barbarians!
Posted by: JJ | 07 February 2009 at 14:10
Maybe USA Rugby should starting doing what Denver has achieved instead of using Glendale for everything
Posted by: JR | 08 February 2009 at 13:01
Anwar was not left home due to poor performance. He broke his foot in Dubai. He is still on the injured list.
What is wrong with Glendale? It is much better than going to a soccer stadium. Maybe the Barbos should use Glendale as well.
Posted by: Bill Liske | 08 February 2009 at 16:27
We played at Arrowhead a few times when I was with the KC Blues, 356 people in a 80k seater was interesting but a fantastic experience for players and administrators.
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