Thretton Palamo replaces Roland Suniula in the lone change of the 12-man Eagle roster for this weekend's USA 7s presented by Bridgestone, but the surging squad soon may be more fluid.
Whether this year or next, coach Al Caravelli faces the prospect of maintaining momentum with a newer cast of players, including a different captain.
High-scoring Chris Wyles leads a group of seven who have played at each of this season's three Sevens World Series tournaments, in which the US has rung up two quarterfinal appearances and risen to 9th place in the standings. The stalwarts comprise Justin Boyd, James Gillenwater, Matt Hawkins, Malenese Malifa, Kevin Swiryn, Shalom Suniula, and Wyles.
Todd Clever and Takudzwa Ngwenya, though absent from Wellington and San Diego, also would be considered core players and probables for next month's World Cup squad.
But Wyles (Saracens), Clever (Lions), and Ngwenya (Biarritz) now make a living playing 15s, and so are unlikely to be future tour regulars. Much the same goes for Emerick (Overmach Parma), a veteran European campaigner who has not played as much 7s but hopes to be part of the Dubai 12. IRB regulations do not require pro teams to release athletes for its World Series tournaments.
The best of the 'core' teams routinely field newcomers who slot in for players who advance to 15s contracts, are injured, or aren't getting the job done. For Caravelli and the US, the challenge of developing a pipeline that delivers new talent is vital to becoming an established 7s contender.
Key to any transition will be the pre-tournament training assemblies that have become standard these past three seasons. Players who don't make the squad nonetheless gain exposure to the system and its standards, before appearing on the tour itself. This year's outstanding success story is the rookie Swiryn, a 24-year-old prop-cum-wing who has already rung up 10 tries, placing him among the Series leaders.
At present, the 7s Eagles are the most successful of America's national teams, and strong showings in San Diego and Dubai would put the current edition in line for 'best in a generation' status. So too would cementing in place a pipeline from 7s hopefuls to World Series performers to 15s professionals be a lasting achievement. But for American loyalists, after San Diego there will not be many more opportunities to watch these standouts playing the abbreviated game.
United States to USA 7s
Forwards: Paul Emerick (Overmach Parma), Matthew Hawkins (OMBAC), Rikus Pretorius (Olympic Club), Kevin Swiryn (St. Mary’s)
Backs:
Justin Boyd (Dallas), James Gillenwater (Belmont Shore), Valenese
Malifa (Belmont Shore), Jone Naqica (Denver Barbarians), Thretton Palamo (Biarritz), Dallen
Stanford (Belmont Shore), Shalom Suniula
(Brisbane), Chris Wyles (captain, Saracens)
Here's to this "Best Generation" playing in the Cup Final.
Posted by: Henry | 13 February 2009 at 19:37
OK, so if seven's is Caravelli's baby and it has mved into a top ten team in the 7RWC year, could he do the same managing the big team?
If Dan Lyle is the one making the USA Seven's tournament a bigger success each year, could he really do the same in Boulder?
That being said, the likely signing of O'Sullivan as Eagles coach is brilliant. He is a good coach with a proven record, and having been part of the Eagles staff for several years in the '90's, won't be suprised by the state of the game in the US. He actually may be encouraged by the development of some area's, ie HS rugby.
Posted by: Old Beaver | 14 February 2009 at 16:01
O’Sullivan poised for international return with USA
Saturday February 14 2009
FORMER Irish rugby boss, Eddie O'Sullivan, looks set to be named US Eagles coach this weekend. O'Sullivan, the most successful national coach in Irish rugby history, is expected to have his appointment ratified when the board of US Rugby meets later today at the World Sevens in San Diego.
O'Sullivan's agent, John Baker, has been in discussion with American CEO and former England scrum-half, Nigel Melville, in recent weeks. It seems that agreement was reached late yesterday and this evening's board meeting is expected to be a formality.
The Youghal man, who guided Ireland to three Triple Crowns in four years, resigned as Irish coach last March after a mixed Six Nations campaign had followed Ireland's poor showing at the 2007 World Cup.
He has extensive knowledge of the American scene, having worked in the late 90s both as Technical Director to US Rugby and Eagles coach.
Since leaving the Irish job, O'Sullivan has run a number of coaching clinics in America and is known to be deeply respected within the game there.
Meanwhile, despite opposition from some quarters, the GAA is today expected to agree to make Croke Park available for a Heineken Cup
Posted by: hmmm | 14 February 2009 at 17:36
I believe we are correct in NOT believing anything that Nigel says at this point.
Where is the roaming gnome this week?
Posted by: another shallow gene pool | 17 February 2009 at 06:39