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New era for USA Men’s Sevens with five debutants named for SVNS opener

172 days ago

Marcus Tupuola of Team United States scores a try during the Men's Rugby Sevens Pool C match between Team France and Team USA at the Stade de France during the 2024 Paris Summer Olympic Games in Paris, France. (Photo By Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

New head coach Simon Amor has ushered in the dawn of a new era for the USA Men’s Sevens side by selecting five debutants in the 13-player squad for Dubai and Cape Town. The new HSBC SVNS Series season gets underway this weekend in Dubai from November 30 to December 1.

Peter Sio Jr, Darius Law, Michael Hand, Porter Goodrum and Darrell Willaims have all been named to make their HSBC SVNS debuts at Dubai’s The Sevens Stadium. Sio Jr and Goodrum recently represented the USA at the Premier Rugby Sevens All-Star Tournament in Portland.

Law, Hand, and Darrell Williams join a talented roster that includes a mix of experience and youthful potential. Aaron Cummings and Faitala Talapusi will serve as co-captains, and the squad boasts four 2024 Olympians among its ranks.

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Cummings, Lucas Lacamp, Marcus Tupuola, and Pita Vi played for Team USA at the Paris Olympic Games earlier this year. The Americans made the quarter-finals but were knocked out of medal contention 18-nil by an Australian side that brought its A-game to Stade de France.

Jack Wendling, David Still III, Faitala Talapusi and Lance Williams are a quartet of returning Eagles who will need to step up as leaders and veterans within this squad with some legends having retired, including Perry ‘The Speedstick’ Baker and Madison Hughes.

This is the coaching debut for Amor, who was unveiled about 55 days ago as Mike Friday’s successor. Amor, who was the inaugural recipient of World Rugby’s Sevens Player of the Year honour in 2004, is looking forward to the 2024/25 season with a new-look USA side.

“With a number of great and long-standing players retiring after the Paris Olympics, Dubai becomes the first step for a new group on our journey aiming to win a medal at our LA 2028 Olympics,” head coach Simon Amor said in a statement.

“The team selected for Dubai therefore has five players making their debuts, as we go from one of the most experienced and oldest teams on the HSBC SVNS, to one of the least experienced and youngest.

“We are looking to evolve how we play, using our talent and speed, and while our inexperience means we will not be perfect, we will always show the grit and togetherness that is at the heart of any great USA team.”

The Dubai Sevens is from November 30 to December 1, while Cape Town will host the second event of the season the following week from December 7 to 8 – all live on RugbyPass TV. It’s free to sign up for RugbyPass TV.

Perth, Vancouver, Hong Kong China and Singapore will host the other four regular season events during the 2024/25 campaign, while Los Angeles will host the World Championship event which is not to be missed.

USA Men’s Sevens roster

Aaron Cummings (c), David Still III, Peter Sio Jr*, Lance Williams, Faitala Talapusi (c), Lucas Lacamp, Jack Wendling, Darius Law*, Michael Hand*, Porter Goodrum*, Pita Vi, Marcus Tupuola, Darrell Williams*

*Denotes HSBC SVNS debut

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Comments on RugbyPass

Cantab 4 days ago

Teenager Braxton Sorensen-McGee reflects on dream Black Ferns debut

Although NZ won comfortably enough they weren’t always convincing and a better opposition may well have found them out. If our gun 7s players can translate their skills to the 15s game the team would have the ability to beat anyone. Need to be given the chance though.

4 Go to comments

James 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

And how do you see the Wallabies loosehead / Lion’s tighthead battle Nick?

37 Go to comments

dw 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Also interested in your thoughts on A Bell. Haven't noticed many scrum issues recently. He also seems to play 60 or so mins every game. A bit of a fan (even though he’s a tah..) but wondered if the Lions would target his scrummaging

37 Go to comments

dw 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

True. And you look at how the European coaches have got so much out of skelton and how much the local fans love him…and then some Oz fans will still say “he played poorly for the tahs I'm 2015!”

37 Go to comments

dw 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Thanks Nick but your headline has just jinxed us and reminded me of that night in 2013!

I love any analysis of the scrums such as the above. Cheers.

Allalatoa seems to be in good form and Nongorr appears to be able to hold his own? I think they will pick Tupou regardless of form. After Friday night I am concerned he could be sent off in the first five mins of the test though! He got too pumped up and hit a player high and was carded

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 4 days ago

'Most complacent selection decision you will ever see': Barrett benching slammed as Leinster knocked out

I watched the mainstream NZ pundits eg Mils Muliaina and they DID back NZ to win almost to a man.

Ireland will talk their team up as anyone would with the caveats we are playing the ABs and match was de facto 50:50, That is not the same as dismissing the opposition. EG After the quarter John Kirwan said he was sorry France didn’t win versus SA becuase a ‘France-NZ final would be perfect. (The semis had not even been played yet, England and Argentina completely dismissed! He didn’t even realize his own arrogance) NZ are not even aware of the arrogance they exude. Has no Kiwi politely asked the national team to take down the ‘Superstars and Humble Heroes’ boasting on the AB site? Its cringeworthy stuff. Do NZ really see themselves like this?

Note all this BS about Irish arrogance started just after NZs defeat in the 2022 series. Not a coincidence.

Also: this is Irish national TV. We will talk our team up as everyone does. We care too much about judgemental and thin skinned Kiwis getting offended.

91 Go to comments

JM 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Aussie rugby fans are obsessed with players they hate, for whatever reason.

Michael Hooper is another one, and the hatred only increased whenever he won John Eales medals or the two times he was nominated world player of the year.

I reckon it is because our forwards are technically and mentally weak they put it all on one player who they think should make way for the messiah.

Same for the general team performance and the hate put on players like White, Lolesio, and Foley who should be pulling rabbits out of the hat every play.

I reckon, if we had of had 5 players with Hooper’s desire and drive spread across the team (and especiallythe forwards), we wouldn’t have woken up in the bottom of the ditch.

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 4 days ago

'What he’s given to this club is nothing short of incredible'

He shouldn’t have been picked. Not physically able for the most intense matches notably in Twickenham last year. Giving him the captaincy was also a very short sighted decision then after RWC 2023. Ireland have a tendency to be a little too loyal, which can mean the team ages and the rebuild is bigger than should be.

Plenty of lads out there to fill that squad.

4 Go to comments

OJohn 4 days ago

Geoff Parling returns to Leicester as head coach

Hooray

0 Go to comments

Carlos 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

He was also a YC magnet.

37 Go to comments

Carlos 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Windsor-Faulkner-Price. 😊

37 Go to comments

Solenn Bonnet 4 days ago

Leinster cleanse palette with record URC scoreline against Zebre

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0 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Ah, the Pooler front row ! Most legendary in the history of the , I would think. Max Boyce helped…”Here we. here we, here we go, with the Pontypool front row.”

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Would not go as far as whole house in our family, but for me, yes, W1. Loved playing in the scrum, love watching now😀

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Yes, I see that article here on RP, Nick. That is good news that Schmidt is going to look at the o’seas players.

Yes, I would think you are right that LAR will qualify. On the same points as MP, but surely they are too good not to win this crunch game….could be tEnse for ROG in the stands though.

37 Go to comments

BC 4 days ago

Who would make it into a Women's British and Irish Lions starting XV?

I would pick Oifa Wafer at 6, put Aldcroft in the second row with Ward. I think Wafer is one of the few non-England players mentioned that would contend for a Red Rose shirt, the others being King and possibly Neve Jones. Conversely there are two English players mentioned, Sing and Venner, that probably won’t even make the Red Rose WC squad, let alone a Lions Tour. Still a lot can change in two years, watch out for Millie David.

1 Go to comments

Otagoman II 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Great article NB, thanks. I would like to know what is the reasoning why so many things are penalties in the scrum. Is it to do with safety or something else?

37 Go to comments

NB 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

👍