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The USA squad will assemble this week at the Chula Vista Olympic Training Center (OTC) in California, as it prepares for the the first two legs of the IRB Sevens World Series in Dubai (4-5 December) and George (10-11 December).

A portion of the squad met at the OTC on Wednesday with the others joining the assembly following the 15-a-side 2011 Rugby World Cup Qualifier against Uruguay. The entire player pool will train for a few more days before flying to Dubai.

“We will narrow down our player pool from 21 to 12 the day before Thanksgiving. We will select a team that will compete not only in Dubai and George, but throughout the entire season,” U.S. Sevens Coach Al Caravelli said.

“Right now, even at this early stage, this is the best overall camp we have ever had before Dubai.

“I’m very excited about the potential of these athletes,” Caravelli added.

“After the first two days of camp, I’ve had all a coach wants to see. Athletes are competing aggressively, but are also bonding very well. It’s as if they’ve known each other for more than two days. The skill level is excellent; the intensity continues to increase at every training session. I’m very much looking forward to the rest of the assembly.”

The U.S. squad has several newcomers to this assembly with 19-year-old Tyler Spitz, Nick Edwards and Andrew Suniula. Others who earned their way into the squad by shining at the September assembly are Mile Pulu, Suli Holani, Dimitri Efthimiou, Clint Whittler, Peter Sio and Ata Malifa.

Back from injury are the welcomed additions of Mark Bokhoven, Matt Hawkins and Shalom Suniula. Coach Caravelli was thrilled to see the three Sevens veterans back showing particularly strong fitness test performance.

“Bok, Hawk and Lome bring that international experience,” Caravelli said. “Clearly they have not missed a step and have picked up right where they left off. They also bring those innate leadership qualities to this young squad.”

USA Player Pool for Dubai Sevens and George Sevens:
Cory Blair (Belmont Shore),*Mark Bokhoven (Denver Barbarians), Nick Edwards (NYAC), Dimitri Efthimou (Mystic River), Tai Enosa (Tempe), Matt Hawkins (Belmont Shore), Ata Malifa (Belmont Shore), Nese Malifa (Belmont Shore)*,Suli Nahaou Unaloto (Bay Barbarians), Jone Naqica (San Francisco Golden Gate), Leonard Peters (Aspen)
Mile Pulu (San Francisco Golden Gate), Trevor Richards (Nebraska), Volney Rouse (San Francisco Golden Gate)*
Peter Sio (Belmont Shore), Tyler Spitz (Undetermined), Andrew Suniula (Pearl City), Shalom Suniula (Pearl City)
Kevin Swiryn (OPSB)*, Clint Whittler (Belmont Shore), Kevin Wiggins (Wilmington)
*joining the assembly after the RWCQ