The USA Sevens team has settled into Adelaide ahead of the 5th leg of the IRB World Sevens Series.

I spoke with four of their key players in the lead up to another belting weekend on the IRB.

Some interesting issues were raised by the boys. These include a follow up on Wendy Young’s Blog promoting equal opportunity for US Men and Women, full-time contracts, and Paul ‘Cactus’ Emerick’s marital status!

Interview with USA captain Kevin Swiryn

DS: Your Post USA Sevens Las Vegas wedding proposal is nearing 14,000 hits on YouTube! What was Lauren’s reaction when you too were alone?
Kevin Swiryn: “She was very excited and wasn’t expecting it! Even a week afterwards we were talking about it saying ‘I can’t believe that happened’. Her family was there and able to witness it, which was great. It’s funny as normally I would never have done something like that! Usually an engagement story is told and no-one is there to witness it, so this one was definitely different.”

DS: You have battled through several injuries with no rest in-between USA 15s and Sevens commitments. How is your body feeling for the next 2 IRB Sevens legs?
Kevin Swiryn: “It’s probably the closest to the best I’ve been for a while. The team is doing really well, and we are excited.”

DS: What’s the latest with your professional overseas rugby contracts? I know the Melbourne based Super 15 side is looking…
Kevin Swiryn: “On the record I haven’t signed with anyone yet, but actively looking. It’s still early and I am being patient. I was pretty excited to hear that the Super 15 Melbourne side would be able to contract ten foreigner players. It would be amazing to play in the Super 15, I would love to.”

DS: Your fiancé Lauren is on USA Women Sevens side. They are not traveling to Hong Kong this year?
Kevin Swiryn: “I think it’s unfortunate, especially with the Women being included in the Olympics as well. There needs to be more focus on the Women, especially the Sevens. In the end the Women are ranked higher than the Men and have a better opportunity to win Gold than we do!

I am a big proponent for the Women’s game, and I was before Lauren made the team, believing there should be equal opportunities. If the Women aren’t playing, then they’re not getting an equal opportunity.
I think a thing a lot of people don’t understand is if the Women win rugby Gold that’s going to push both male/female rugby in the States. The American fans want winners.”

Interview with Paul Emerick (The Cactus)

DS: You had a superb showing in Vegas, and even better posing for the ABC TV highlights package. How did you get the nickname ‘Cactus?’ again?
Paul Emerick: “The real truth? Well… I didn’t have a nickname on tour (Hong Kong 2008) and yours truly (Mr.Dallen Stanford aka Paki) decided that ‘Cactus’ was going to be my nickname. It stuck, despite coach Caravelli saying ‘That’s the worst nickname ever, you can’t just make it up like that!’”

DS: You have played professional rugby in Italy for the last couple of seasons. What are your plans for next year – 15s or 7s?
Paul Emerick: “I currently don’t have a contract for next year. It depends on many things, but I think my international career may be over after the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand. After that I want to taper down the amount of rugby I have played.”

DS: The ladies have been asking if there is a Mrs. Emerick?
Paul Emerick: “They have? (he laughs). I am indeed single at the moment…”

Interview with Mark Bokhoven

DS: You must be glad to be back in the side. I heard that the Navy Seals want you to join them when the Sevens is over?
Mark Bokhoven: “I am excited to be back after being injured for four tournaments. I have a few different options with the Navy Seals - they want me to sign up! I must have impressed them on the obstacle course!”

DS: How was the overall fitness and speed at this training camp?
Mark Bokhoven: “The week was good. A lot of team work and getting used to playing together, learning each other’s tendencies. I will say overall the speed and fitness is very good. It has been cold in California so the scores on the testing may not have been our best, but that’s not a true reflection.”

DS: Tell me about the new man on the squad, Tommy Saunders?
Mark Bokhoven: Tommy is an impressive crossover athlete. He came in as one of the fittest players on the team, which is amazing for a football player. He is explosive on attack, and great under the kick-offs. Right now we are just working with him on our patterns and structures.”

DS: What are the team outcome goals for Adelaide and Hong Kong?
Mark Bokhoven: “The Cup quarter finals for both. We play England next and want to knock them off. We are taking one game at a time…”

Interview with Matt Hawkins (The Polar Bear)

DS: Talk us through this week’s training. Anything different compared to previous camps?
Matt Hawkins: “It’s been slightly different from the regular camps. Because almost everyone knows our systems now, we just tweaked certain things as opposed to going back to basics. I think it worked out great. The consistency in player selection/availability is hard to find with rugby in the USA, but we have 10 players that have come through from the Vegas tournament to this one, which is excellent.”

DS: Tell me a bit about scrimmaging your club side Belmont Shore this week?
Matt Hawkins: “I think it was a great concept, and hope we can do it more often. Many of their players are on our squad, so Belmont Shore and OMBAC combined to form solid opposition. It also gave the newer players to camp a chance to gain valuable playing experience.

DS: What is the status of contracting full-time sevens players? Are players still on the ‘per diem’ wage?
Matt Hawkins: “There was a lot of talk about contracting players, but I think USA Sevens as a whole will continue as it is for the next while. I hope something changes, but don’t foresee it happening soon.”

DS: I wish I could join you for the shopping markets in Hong Kong!
Matt Hawkins: “That will be great fun! I think another few tailor-made suits will accompany me back to USA!”

A special thanks to those boys for taking the time to speak to me whilst packing their bags for Adelaide!
All the best for the weekend’s tournament champions!

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