The USA Eagles have not performed very well in the United Arab Emirates in recent years, and will look to change that this weekend.

Five members of the squad played in Dubai last year (Matt Hawkins, Mark Bokhoven, Shalom Suniula, Mile Pulu and Nese Malifa) with the team only managing to win one match from five encounters. There were of course two cliff hangers on Day 1 of the tournament as the USA lost out 31-26 against Kenya and 14-12 to Russia. England defeated the USA 40-12 in the other pool game. On Day 2 the Americans took out Portugal 5-0 but lost out in the shield semi final against Wales 33-12.

In 2008 the USA won the Shield in Dubai, defeating Scotland 17-14 and the Arabian Gulf 31-7 in the final. The first four matches, however, did not go well with the USA going down to Fiji (47-12), England (24-10), Portugal (22-12) and France (22-12). In 2007 the United States lost all five matches in Dubai.

Let’s look at the squad looking to stop the rot next weekend.

USA Eagles 7s Tean Bios:

Matt Hawkins (Belmont Shore) *Captain
27 years old (1983)
17 IRB World Series Tournaments (including 2009 RWC)

Hawkins is a natural leader who was in devastating form during the 2009/2010 season – being the only American to make the UR7s team of the year. With Hawkins at the helm, the USA made their first ever Cup final, and will be looking to build from previous seasons. The South African born player is one of the best props in the game, and also one of the most experienced in his side.

“We want to improve on last year’s 10th place, but I would say what we really want to do at a minimum is finish inside the top 8 and win a Cup final” the Eagles captain told UR7s.com

Marco Barnard (KU)
24-years-old (1986)
9 IRB World Series Tournaments (including 2009 World Games)

South African born Marco Barnard is one of those talented utility players who can play hooker, scrumhalf, flyhalf or center. The hard running playmaker was a star at Kutztown University, and is one of the best defensive players on the squad. Barnard is one of the must-have players in the side.

Mark Bokhoven (Denver Barbarians)
28 years old (1982)
18 IRB World Series Tournaments (including 2009 World Games)

The German looking Bokhoven made his debut back in 2005, but several injuries over the years has sidelined the Iowa potato farmer. Bokhoven is one of the most experienced US players and brings aggression to the forward pack. His speed and fitness are excellent, and if he can remain healthy, he will be a vital asset to the squad.

“Too many times last year we had a great game followed up by a sub-par match, or even a great first half and then an atrocious second 7 minutes to let the game slip away.

"This year we need to focus on every single game and every single half, playing to our potential” Bokhoven told UR7s.com

Shalom Suniula (Brisbane)
22 years old (1988)
15 IRB World Series Tournaments (including 2009 RWC)

Halfback Shalom Suniula is one of the talented play makers in the team, who has a very dangerous side-step. Suniula is also one of the youngsters in the squad, who has established himself as the starting scrumhalf. One of the players to watch for the future.

Zach Test (Loughborough University)
21 years old (1989)
10 IRB World Series Tournaments

Zach Test joins the side from the USA Eagles XVs November tour, and is also the youngest member of the side. Test will play wing and can be used at prop, depending on Caravelli’s strategy for this tournament. Defensively he will need to work hard to contain the likes of some of the world’s best. However, Test is one of the best players in the air, and could be a game changer at the kick-offs.

Miles Craigwell (NYAC / Spearhead Academy)
24 years old (1986)
IRB World Series debut

Craigwell is one of the football crossover athletes that Caravelli has been recruiting, and remarkably only started playing rugby last year at NYAC during the summer sevens. He spent the fall at the Spearhead Academy in Minneapolis, and even though he may potentially only play a few minutes on this tour, it is an invaluable experience. Craigwell definitely has speed, and could be used at wing or prop. Interestingly, this is his first trip out of the United States.

Nese Malifa (Glendale Raptors)
25 years old (1985)
17 IRB World Series Tournaments (including 2009 RWC)

Malifa is one of the stars of the side, who easily creates opportunities for his team mates. The skillful American Samoan flyhalf can also be used at scrumhalf, and has one of the best drop kicks in the game. Malifa joins the team from the USA Eagles XVs November tour and it is vital he remains injury free.

Nu’u Punimata (Old Puget Sound Beach)
24 years old (1986)
IRB World Series debut

Nu’u Punimata – born in America Samoa - helped lead OPSB to the National 7s title this year against Belmont Shore. The hard working player could be used at prop or hooker, and comes from a football background. Punimata was superb earlier this summer and it will be exciting to see how he performs at the national level.

Mile Pulu (East Palo Alto)
22 years old (1988)
5 IRB World Series Tournaments

The young Mile Pulu has loads of potential and could set the center position alight this season. Pulu was the 2010 National All-Star Championship MVP and possess an exceptional turn of speed. With some tournament experience behind his name, this could be his break-out year.

Kyle Marshall (Boston Rugby Club)
IRB World Series debut

Kyle Marshall impressed during Nationals this season playing for Boston RFC. The Yale graduate could play prop or hooker and has a tremendous gas tank proved by the USA fitness testing. Marshall will be another exciting talent to watch in his Series debut.

Jason Pye (Humless Provo, Utah)
27 years old (1983)
11 IRB World Series Tournaments (including 2005 & 2009 World Games)

Pye has been around since 2005 but several injuries have kept the speedster on the sidelines. He was outstanding at the National 7s tournament earlier this year, and makes a welcome return. The USA are lacking a recognized finisher, and will be hoping it’s in the shape of Pye.

Roland Suniula (Unattached)
26 years old (1986)
3 IRB World Series Tournaments

Roland Suniula makes his return to the side, and should feature in the center position during this tour. Suniula is a very clever play maker and brings much needed vision when he is on the field. During his IRB Sevens debut he scored in the USA’s historic 15-10 win over Fiji.

The Eagles will face Argentina, New Zealand, and Zimbabwe in Pool B during the Dubai IRB Sevens. Following that, the squad will take on Samoa, Fiji, and Namibia at the George IRB Sevens in South Africa.

Predictions?

The USA has the potential to make the Cup quarterfinals at both these tournaments, and after that, it’s anyone’s game. Depending on who the USA face they could reach the Cup semi finals or even the final – providing they play to their potential.

To reach the Cup rounds in George it will be even more difficult than Dubai, but it’s there for the taking…

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Photos courtesy of Monty Swiryn, www.CuestaPhoto.com

UR7s.com columnist Dallen Stanford played 7s for the USA from 2006-2009. He will be at the HSBC Sevens World Series tournament in George South Africa this year. Dallen is an ambassador for the Tackling Cancer Foundation, and also writes for RugbyZone, Rugby IQ, Eagles XV and Pakis Corner.