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Saturday Nov
22, 2008 in Elite Level Rugby USA 7s
November 22, 2008 – USA 7s coach Al Caravelli has picked his squad
to play in Dubai and George SA, the first two tournaments of the
2008-09 IRB Sevens Series.
Caravelli had to make some tough choices, and brings in six players
who were not in Dubai in 2007. The biggest name not in the lineup is
longtime scrumhalf Dallen “Paki” Stanford. A smart, popular and
hard-working player, Stanford was simply beaten out by his
competition in camp this past week.
”This was very hard to do,” said Caravelli, who praised the level of
athleticism and work ethic of the players in camp. “Paki played
well, he was just beaten out. It was a difficult decision, and an
emotional decision, because Paki and Gup [James Gillenwater] have
played the most tournaments under me. But the message here is that
everyone has to stay on their toes – news guys or veterans – to make
the team.”
Caravelli said Stanford had embraced the ideal of helping your
competition and he was quick to assist young Shalom Suniula, who
will take his scrumhalf role in Dubai and George.
Also absent is Roland Suniula, who seems to have gotten the short
end of two sticks as he toured with the Eagles XVs side to Japan,
but didn’t suit up and didn’t play, and as a result of his being in
Japan, he was not picked for the 7s squad.
Caravelli did make exceptions for Chris Wyles, Todd Clever and Nese
Malifa – captain, vice captain and flyhalf, respectively, who have
been with the program a long time and know the system. But he
couldn’t make the same exception for a player who had been to one
camp.
Meanwhile everything old is new again in the forwards, where Matt
Hawkins makes a return. Hawkins appeared prepared to retire because
he had started a new job and couldn’t be sure he was available. But
good early reviews at work allowed him to demonstrate he can balance
rugby and work, so he’s back and looked powerful.
Also back is Don Younger. A fixture on the 7s team years ago –
notably when his 95-meter interception try beat England in
Wellington in 2001 – Younger returned to rugby with the Indianapolis
club this season and returned fit and ready to play at a high level.
”Kind of déjà vu for us,” said Caravelli, who wasn’t the coach until
2006 but knew Younger’s value. “He was a little rusty the first day
but then, boom, everything clicked. He’s one of the fastest guys on
the team, he brings size, height, experience and power as well as
speed.”
At 6-6, Younger forms part of a now large contingent of forwards,
which also include Hawkins, Clever, Gillenwater, and ever improving
Mark Bokhoven and versatile Kevin Swiryn
In the backs the big addition is also a returning player, Tui
Osborne spent the fall playing for Buffalo RFC and proving that the
problems with his hand and wrist which cost him a 2007 World Cup
place are over with. Osborne, like Younger, took a day or so to get
into the swing of things, but brings to the table a superb sidestep
and attacking flair.
”Tui is not as fit as he’d like to be but he did very well and he
made his tackles,” said Caravelli.
He joins a backline that will include Malifa as the playmaker,
Suniula at halfback, and Anwar Salaam and Justin Boyd. Swiryn can
also slot in as a back if needed, as can Gillenwater.
”Everyone is rallying around the idea of being the best for the
team,” said Caravelli, who had some other tough choices to make –
leaving Blaine Scully behind for example, and saw other players such
as Matt Byrd, Zach Test, Jone Naqica and Jarvis Albury eliminated
through injury. “The reason we continue to raise the bar is because
of the competition guys are putting between each other, and yet
they’re helping each other get better at the same time.”
Caravelli said the team is skilled and fast, noting that few
American 7s teams have boasted about their team speed … or depth.
”This team is 12 deep,” he said. “I can have five new starters in
every game.”
The Eagles have a rest day Saturday after the stress of the camp and
selections. Sunday they fly from Miami to New York and on to Dubai.
In Dubai they face Fiji, England and Portugal on Day One on Friday,
November 28.
USA 7s Squad to Dubai and George:
1 Clever, Todd (Xerox Lions) Prop, Hooker
2 Gillenwater, James (Belmont Shore) Hooker, Scrumhalf
3 Bokhoven , Mark (Denver Barbarians) Prop
4 Suniula, Shalom (Brisbane Magpies) Scrumhalf, Flyhalf
5 Osborne, Tui (Buffalo RFC) Scrumhalf, Center, Flyhalf
6 Wyles, Chris © (Saracens) All positions
7 Malifa, Nese (Belmont Shore) Flyhalf, Scrumhalf
8 Hawkins, Matthew (OMBAC) Prop, Hooker
9 Swiryn, Kevin (St. Mary’s) Hooker, Center, Wing
10 Boyd, Justin (Dallas Harlequins) Wing
11 Salaam, Anwar Wing
12 Younger, Donny (Indianapolis RFC) Prop
Mgr Battle Jr. Kevin
ATC Douhan Kristen
Head Coach Caravelli Albert
S&C Coach Hartley Craig
Video Coach Signes Emilio
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