• • Facebook
  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • Technorati
  • Reddit
  • Stumble Upon
  • Furl

USA coach Al Caravelli has named the team that will represent the USA during the final leg of the International Rugby Board Sevens World Series. The squad selected for London (23/24th May) and Scotland (May 30-31st) boasts a blend of youth and experience, with seven new additions since the last leg of the Series - five of which are making their first-ever IRB World Sevens Series appearances.

The UK leg of the Series marks a major stepping stone for the Eagle Sevens team, which makes its debut appearance at both tournaments since being added as one of the 12 core teams for the 2008-2009 season. Prior to this cycle, the USA had only ever competed at six of eight stops on the circuit.

The five new players include: 19-year-old Tai Enosa, who will join the USA 15s team after Scotland; All-American Steve St. Pierre, who captained the BYU Cougars to their first national title in early May; two-time All-American and captain of Kutztown University, Marco Barnard; San Diego State University’s Alex Ross and Corey Blair.

Having last played in the Rugby World Cup Sevens in March, Sevens stalwart and versatile ball-winner James Gillenwater returns from injury to boost the squad. Mike Palefau also rejoins the Sevens National Team in his first appearance since playing for the USA in Hong Kong in 2007.

Looking to build on their Shield victory in Adelaide in April Mark Bokhoven, PJ Komongnan, Thretton Palamo, Zach Pangelinan, and Zach Test all retain their plances on the squad for the final leg. Noticeably absent from the lineup are Justin Boyd and Kevin Swiryn, who have been called up to the 15s squad for the USA vs. Ireland match on May 31. Their absence denies them to chance to be the only two players to appear in all eight legs of the Series for the USA. With the new players, the USA team, which is still tied for eighth in the Series point totals with Australia, has included 30 different players throughout the season.

"That is the nature of Sevens. We have to continue to develop players and we are all looking forward to seeing how quickly this squad can come together to challenge the best in the world," Caravelli said.

"It is the fastest team we have ever selected in the three years I have been coaching - we have selected 11 backs who can all play multiple positions."

"We will focus on continuing to raise the bar. Everyone continues to work very hard to better themselves each time they step on the pitch and most important putting in the hard work on their own.

"That is what it takes to be successful," he added.

Australia forced to make changes

Queensland Reds Mark McLinden has been prevented from making his Australian Sevens debut after sustaining a hamstring injury during the Reds' Super 14 clash against the Hurricanes in Brisbane at the weekend. Ben Lucas was also ruled out from joining the Aussie for the final two legs of the International Rugby Board Sevens World Series - in London and Edinburgh in the next fortnight - after damaging his knee during the same match.

McLinden and Lucas were originally named last week in the Australian side for the final two legs of the 2008/2009 IRB Sevens Series in London (May 23 and 24) and Edinburgh (May 30 and 31).

The Australian selectors have called up Brumbies back Francis Fainifo and Timothy Walsh of the Randwick Rugby Club in Sydney.

USA Squad
Thretton Palamo (SFGG), James Gillenwater (Belmont Shore), Mark Bokhoven (Denver Barbarians), PJ Komongnan (NOVA), Tai Enosa (Tempe), Mike Palefau (Las Vegas), Alex Ross (SDSU), Steve St. Pierre (BYU), Marco Barnard (Kutztown University), Zach Pangelinan (OMBAC), Zach Test (SFGG), Corey Blair (Belmont Shore)