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USA coach Al Caravelli has spoken of the increasing confidence in his squad following their Cup final appearance at the Adelaide Sevens last weekend. 

The Eagles must now switch their attentions to this weekend’s Hong Kong Sevens where they face Portugal, Thailand, and USA in Pool C

The US were taught a 38-10 lesson by the impressive Samoans in the Adelaide finale but the coach feels that despite the loss it gave his side more belief heading into the sixth leg of the IRB Sevens World Series. 

“After Samoa had thoroughly dominated us I had asked them if the game was faster or were they more tired. They all said no.” said the coach speaking to UR7s.

“Trying to get into their psyches and build their confidence to let them know if they play to their ability, play to the game-plan they can beat anyone on any given day.”

“We had a favourable side of the draw over there (Adelaide) and the boys still needed to win and that is how we got our first Cup Final.”

Consistency of selection has been a key part of USA’s resurgence, with the likes of Matt Hawkins, Paul Emerick, Kevin Swiryn, and Nese Malifa becoming Caravelli’s core go-to men.

“They are buying into what we are trying to do on and off the pitch. We have kept nine guys together for three straight tournaments. That consistency is very important and that translates to results on the field.”

Despite the physical and mental pressures of playing two three-day tournaments back-to-back, Caravelli says he has taken precautions to guard it being an issue for the weekend.

“Physically they are feeling fine, we really concentrated on their recovery and we have being doing contrast baths every night and a day off on Tuesday. Training yesterday was good and the one this morning was very good.”

The coach has attracted plenty of attention this week as the Asian public become more aware of the USA’s potential in rugby, especially with the sport now an Olympic one.

The USA already trains at the country’s Olympic Centre in San Diego but genuine investment in the team won’t become a reality till post 2012. Caravelli’s main concern in the meantime is to breed youngsters in to the game earlier. 

“We say we want to be one of the best teams in the world and the players are really starting to believe in that. Attracting younger players is what we need," said Caravelli who represented Argentina at the Hong Kong Sevens in 1981.

“We are getting good athletes but some of them don’t have the skills that some countries do. With Olympic inclusion we will hopefully reach younger kids so when they are 18.19 and 20 they have already been playing for a number of years.”