Silicon Valley Sevens – Eagles 7s

Mike Friday has announced an Eagles 7s team which blends experience and youth for the Silicon Valley Sevens on November 4-5, 2017 at Avaya Stadium in San Jose, California. Tickets are still available and will include the Penn Mutual Collegiate 7s Fall Classic.

The USA finished in 5th place, a record, in the 2016-17 HSBC World Sevens Series last May. Mike Friday challenged the team that they should not be satisfied with that performance. A few errors at key times could have meant the difference between finishing a couple places higher.

Mike Friday indicated that the Silicon Valley Sevens competition will be high, despite this not being a World Series tournament. “We are under no illusion how tough a tournament like this will be. With the quality of countries that are attending it will provide exactly the test we need, as we move closer to Dubai.”

The Dubai 7s is being held on December 1-2, 2017 and will kick off the HSBC Sevens Series before moving to Capetown, South Africa for the following weekend.

Mike Friday discussed his team selection saying “We have had a good week’s preparation so far, which has been very intense for the squad as well as competitive. This is an experienced squad with a sprinkling of new players who have performed well this pre-season and earned an opportunity to play.”

Two new players have impressed during the pre-season and will have an opportunity to perform. Chris Mattina is a former University of Delaware player and currently, plays for New York Athletic Club. Joe Schroeder is 6’5″ and the Columbus /Scioto Valley Rugby Club player will add another physical presence to the squad.

Ben Pinkelman, one of the two Olympians named to the squad, will captain the team. Madison Hughes, who normally captains the team, will be the 13th man. Both players are core players in the HSBC Sevens Series. Folau Niua, Maka Unufe Jr., Stephen Tomasin and Martin Iosefo are others.

Matai Leuta has seen significant playing time in Series events and his physical presence in the forward or backs is a factor. Anthony Welmers and Kevon Williams return to the squad, as does Malon Al-jiboori, who had a taste of the traveling with the team late last year.

Silicon Valley Pools

A: England, Canada, Samoa, Ireland
B: Fiji, Australia, Japan, China
C: New Zealand, USA, Tonga, Chile

Silicon Valley 7s Schedule

Schedule & Results

USA Rugby Men’s Sevens – Saturday, November 4th, 2017
United States v Tonga – 12:50pm PT (3:50pm ET)
New Zealand v United States – 4:28pm PT (7:28pm ET)
United States v Chile – 8:00pm PT (11pm ET)

Pool C Squads

USA: 1. Malon Al-Jiboori 2. Ben Pinkelman (C) 3. Joe Schroeder 4. Matai Leuta 5. Ryan Matyas 6. Anthony Welmers 7. Folau Niua 8. Maka Unufe Jr. 9. Stephen Tomasin 10. Chris Mattina 11. Kevon Williams 12. Martin Iosefo 13. Madison Hughes

USA Rugby Men’s Sevens Staff: Mike Friday (Head Coach), Chris Brown (Assistant Coach), Brian Green (Physio), Paul Goulding (Team Analyst), Sarah Sall (Team Manager)

New Zealand: Jesse Houston, Jordan Hyland, Levi Harmon, Luke Masiewa, Mark Telea, Salesi Rayasi, Te Rangatira Waitokia, TJ Vaega, Whira Meltzer, Terrance Heptema, Luteru Laulata, Chase Tiatia

Chile (Cóndores 7s): Felipe Brangier, Ignacio Silva, Francisco Urroz, Nicholás Garafulic, Pedro Verschae, Francisco Metuaze, Benjamín Devidts, Martín Verschae, Rodrigo Fernández, Lucas Westcott, Julio Blanc, Marcelo Torrealba

Tonga: 1 Fe’aomaeata Kalu 2 Kitione Lave 3 Lisiate Huihui 4 Lisiate Taione 5 Ofa Pongi 6 Peasipa Poimoi 7 Siaosi Nonu 8 Sioeli Vakatapu 9 Siope Pouhila 10 Tevita Alatini 11 Tino Pooi 12 Viliami Soakai 13 Viliami Iongi