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South pull out of National All-Star Sevens

Tuesday 25 August 2009 (E Rugby News)

The USA Rugby South 7s all-star team will not be attending the National All-Star 7s Championships August 29-30 in New York City.

According to sources, team funding was what made it difficult for the team to travel. Last year USA Rugby South voted to drastically reduce funding for senior all-star teams, and use union funds chiefly for college and youth select sides.

USA national team coach Al Caravelli said he was “very disappointed” with the prospect of no South team, noting that there were several solid teams in the region, including Life and Atlanta Old White who made Nationals.

To make up the numbers, Caravelli will be fielding a second collegiate side. His initial plan had been to have 20 players in camp and then select an All American squad of 12 for the tournament. Now he will field an A and B side, and has invited at least one, and possibly more, players who likely would have been on the South all-star team to join the B side in New York. Southern California are the defending champions after winning through last year at Founder’s Field in Pittsburgh.
 

COMMENTS

team

Chris Tue 25 Aug 2009 18:44

Does Al really need this tourney to select his National team? Do these players really get a big honor for playing for their region? Aren't most -- if not all -- already on one of the sides who made it to Nationals anyway? Seems like there isn't a big need for both a National Club tourney and a National Region tourney. I don't blame the South union for moving limited funding.

Does Al really need this tourney to select his National team? Do these players really get a big honor for playing for their region? Aren't most -- if not all -- already on one of the sides who made it to Nationals anyway? Seems like there isn't a big need for both a National Club tourney and a National Region tourney. I don't blame the South union for moving limited funding.
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team

Barts and Royal London 1st VII Tue 25 Aug 2009 20:44

i think it makes sense to have an all-stars tournament, taking players out of their comfort zones on and off the field. Regional sides will play in different structures with slightly different players in most cases so there is surely benefit from this.

what doesn't make operational sense is for it to be only 2 weeks after Nationals. I know it would be strange to have it earlier in the year with Nationals making up a big part of the selection policy but there must be a better way for this to be structured.

i think it makes sense to have an all-stars tournament, taking players out of their comfort zones on and off the field. Regional sides will play in different structures with slightly different players in most cases so there is surely benefit from this.

what doesn't make operational sense is for it to be only 2 weeks after Nationals. I know it would be strange to have it earlier in the year with Nationals making up a big part of the selection policy but there must be a better way for this to be structured.
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Jeremy Ourneymen Wed 26 Aug 2009 15:41

I agree with Barts. It's good for guys to learn off the best players in their region and also potentially prepares guys who make the grade for the full US team in joining a different set-up when they are not the stand-out guys and have to work alot more as a team.

I agree with Barts. It's good for guys to learn off the best players in their region and also potentially prepares guys who make the grade for the full US team in joining a different set-up when they are not the stand-out guys and have to work alot more as a team.
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