Chris Wyles has been a supremely important player for the USA national teams.

He was a steadying force through some pretty serious upheavals, and as he retires from international 15s duty, it's worth looking back and tipping your hat.

Wyles came to notice in late 2006. Born in the USA from English parents, he qualified for both countries. He was playing professionally in England, and had a chance to play for England A and perhaps get a look at the England 7s team. But he was skeptical of whether he was rated in the England system. At the same time, he was offered a shot at the USA team, and took it, playing in a couple of warmup games for the 7s team, and then suiting up in the NA4. 

Soon it became clear that Wyles was a talented player who could score tries on the wing, and provide leadership on the field. He quickly became a key part of a 7s team struggling to get back in as a core team. Poor performances by the USA in the mid-00s meant that the Eagles were not a core team despite being a host nation. They just weren't good enough. In the 2006-07 season the Eagles played in three tournaments. But an improved performance in Hong Kong meant the USA was entered into six tournaments in 2007-08, which allowed the program to finish high enough to become a core team.

And in 2008-09, they nothced their first semifinal appearance since 2001. That was in San Diego, where Wyles led the tournament with 8 tries. Wyles was at the center of that improvement. In fact, he dedicated himself to getting the Eagles there.

At the same time, Wyles was influential on the 15s team. Leading into the 2007 World Cup he was one of a few possibilities on the wing, but then fullback Francois Viljoen went down injured, and Wyles put his hand up and said he's played a bit of fullback in his day. The rest is history. Wyles scored a try against South Africa in the 2007 Rugby World Cup (he jokes that no one remembers it because the USA scored another try on that day, Taku Ngwenya's international try of the year). From then on, Wyles was the USA's fullback. 

His play in 15s and 7s earned him a pro contract with Saracens - first a trial, and then a long-term deal. For many overseas-based rugby players, this would have signalled mission accomplished. He would have stopped playing for the USA and enjoyed life as a pro player, with a financial bonus associated with not leaving to play for his national team. But he didn't do that. Instead Wyles continued to play for the USA whenever it was possible. He never complained about the conditions, the schedule, or the (lack of) money. He was the consumate professional. His inderstanding of the game allowed him to be a field general from fullback - although sometimes he was asked to shore up holes at center and wing and, in one aborted idea, flyhalf. 

He wasn't a goalkicker, but became one for the USA because they needed him to, scoring 142 points from the boot. His goalkicking was a central part of the USA's improbable comeback over Canada in 2014.

This is not to deify Wyles. He had his faults. He made mistakes; he is a sore loser (post-match interviews weren't easy to get after losses), but it is to recognize that even in the tough times, over the coaching changes (Billups* to Thorburn to Johnson to O'Sullivan to Tolkin) he continued to play at a high level and develop his game. (*Wyles was not capped under Billups but was in the USA system.) And whichever coach made the call, he answered.

It seems now, though, is the time to stop. At 32 Wyles is unlikely to see another World Cup. He is currently a curcial part of the Saracens operation - he has played almost every backline position, plays it well, and they win when he plays. He wants to play 7s in the Olympics.

"There were various reasons for the decision, but overall the timing felt right," Wyles told Goff Rugby Report. "Not only because of my age but also to let the new generation come through and take USA rugby forward to the next World Cup. My focus will be with Saracens until the end of the season and then I'm looking to join the 7s camp in June."

Being a top-flight 7s player is very different from playing 15s, and Wyles will have some work to do to get into 7s shape to make the Olympic team. But he can do it.

"The physical requirements are very different and more so then when I was on the circuit," he acknowledged. "I will have to quickly adapt and raise my fitness levels but I'm prepared to commit myself fully to this. I'm under no illusions that this will be very difficult especially as the competition for places in the squad is fierce and the team is playing so well."

So he's not going into it thinking there's a seat saved for him. You'd expect no less. 

(See video interview with Wyles after the USA's defeat of Canada in the 2015 PNC)