Eagles Sevens Travel to Hong Kong & Singapore

Mike Friday has named an expanded traveling roster of 15 players to the seventh stop of the 2017-2018 HSBC World Sevens Series at the Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens Tournament next week Apr. 6-8.

The team is currently in the Top 5 of 8 statistical categories this season. In-spite of injuries, the United States has shown their resilience in continuing to rise in the standings to 6th place.

Eagles Sevens Canada Sevens Recap

The Eagles began pool A play at the Canada Sevens in Vancouver with a 45-0 shutout of Uruguay, a 28-21 comeback win over rival-Canada, before falling to Australia 21-31.

In the Cup Quarterfinals,they shutout New Zealand, 17-0, however lost to Kenya on the final play in the Cup semi-finals. In the Bronze final, the reserves saw significant action, losing to South Africa 29-7.

Hong Kong

At Hong Kong, both Stephen Tomasin and Maka Unufe are returning from injuries. Both players are significant offensive threats and the team will welcome their return.

Patrick Blair will make his first appearance of the year, while Cody Melphy has awaits an opportunity for a first try. Both Kevon Williams and Malon Al-Jiboori have stepped to the plate in the absence of some of the regulars. Williams and Al-Jiboori scored 3 and 2 tries respectively in Canada.

By taking an expanded squad to Hong Kong, a few players will have other playing opportunities at the Hong Kong 10s.

Pool play for the Eagles will be challenging as the competition continues to of a high caliber. The USA will face France (10th) first, Wales (13th) next, and finally Argentina (5th).

Men’s Eagles Sevens Traveling Roster – Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens

Perry Baker, Danny Barrett, Pat Blair, Martin Iosefo, Carlin Isles, Malon Al-Jiboori, Matai Leuta, Chris Mattina, Cody Melphy, Folau Niua, Ben Pinkelman (C), Brett Thompson, Stephen Tomasin, Maka Unufe, Kevon Williams

Men’s Eagles Sevens Staff

Head Coach – Mike Friday
Strength & Conditioning Coach – Jon Hood
Physiotherapist – Brian Green
Team Manager – Scott Novack

Men’s Eagles Sevens Schedule – Pool D Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens

LIVE on ESPN3
vs. France Fri, Apr. 6 – 6:24 AM ET
vs. Wales Fri, Apr. 6 – 11:38 PM ET
vs. Argentina Sat, Apr. 7 – 3:38 AM ET

Eagles Sevens Team & Player Stats (USA Rugby)

HSBC World Series Standing 6th
HSBC World Series Points 73
Most Tries Scored by Player Perry Baker – 1st (32 tries)
Most Points Scored by a Player Perry Baker – 4th (162 points)
Most Conversions by a Player Folau Niua – 5th (49 conversions)
Most Tries Scored by Team USA – 5th (120 tries)
Most Points Scored by a Team USA – 5th (766 points)
Most Conversions by a Team USA – 4th (83 conversions)
Restarts USA – 5th (129 restarts)