The Men’s Eagles Sevens Head Coach has named his squad for the ninth tournament of the ten round HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series in London, May 25-26,show liveLIVE on ESPN Networks. The top four teams at the next two legs will qualify for the 2020 Olympics in Japan.
The Eagles Sevens traveling team will include a 12 player roster with two traveling reserves for London.The team currently is in first place in the HSBC Sevens Series standings and can clinch a spot in the Olympics in London.
Perry Baker, Danny Barrett and Martin Iosefo return from injury and and will make the team a more formidable one with the team stepping up in prior tournaments in this historic season.
Ben Pinkelman has contributed immensely on both the offensive and defensive ends. Matai Leuta runs have created scoring opportunites for his teammates.
Carlin Isles, the 2019 leading try scorer on the Series, will earn his 50th cap with the Eagles Sevens. He along with Perry Baker, Kevon Williams, and Marcus Tupuola are speedsters on the squad. Folau Niua, Stephen Tomasin, Captain Madison Hughes, and Martin Iosefo are the play makers. Brett Thompson, Danny Barrett, and Matai Leuta add power to the team.
Joe Schroeder and Maceo Brown are injury reserves.
The Men’s Eagles Sevens will open HSBC London Sevens in Pool D against 11th place Spain, followed by 14th place Wales and 7th place Australia for a chance to make the Cup Quarterfinals.
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Head Coach Mike Friday
On having the squad back at full strength…
“It’s great to have the opportunity to pick from a fully fit squad for the first time this season with the exception of Maka Unufe. This gives us great confidence as a group as if we illustrate the same work ethic, desire and resilience with the squad we have landing in London. Our attacking game has the capability to excel if we are both accurate and hungry.”
On the importance of London both for Olympic qualification and retaining No. 1 in the World Series…
“London is the first stop of this two leg tour and gives us the opportunity to achieve Olympic qualification which has been the focus every time we take the field as a group. We go up against opposition who are fighting for their survival and will need to be up to each and every challenge on Day One to give us a ticket to the big dance on Day Two”
We are under no illusion of the task that lies ahead. We are excited about that opportunity and challenge, and we are determined to leave London in the same position on the table as when we arrived.”
Men’s Eagles Sevens Roster
| PLAYER NAME | POSITION | HSBC TOURNAMENTS TO DATE |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Carlin Isles | Wing | 49 |
| 2. Ben Pinkelman | Prep/Hooker | 31 |
| 3. Danny Barrett | Prop | 46 |
| 4. Matai Leuta | Prop | 34 |
| 5. Brett Thompson | Prop | 31 |
| 6. Kevon Williams | Halfback/Wing | 19 |
| 7. Folau Niua | Halfback | 67 |
| 8. Marcus Tupuola | Wing | 4 |
| 9. Stephen Tomasin | Hooker | 29 |
| 10. Madison Hughes (C) | Halfback | 45 |
| 11. Perry Baker | Wing | 39 |
| 12. Martin Iosefo | Center | 40 |
| 13. Joe Schroeder | Prop (traveling reserve) | 8 |
| 14. Maceo Brown | Center (traveling reserve) | 8 |
MEN’S EAGLES SEVENS STAFF
Head Coach Mike Friday
Assistant Coach Phil Greening
Assistant Coach Anthony Roques
Strength & Conditioning Coach Jon Hood
Athletic Trainer Brian Green
Team Manager Scott Novack
HSBC LONDON SEVENS 2019
Pool D Broadcast LIVE on ESPN Networks
vs Spain Sat, May 25 – 4:52 AM ET
vs Wales Sat, May 25 – 7:58 AM ET
vs Australia Sat, May 25 – 11:04 AM ET
View World Series Match Center
View Live Pool Draw
