(David Barpal photos.)

CHRIS WYLES

The most annoying thing about Chris Wyles is that he hates to give interviews after his team loses. That's not a terrible trait, as traits go. He's a hugely competitive player, and always has been. But here's the thing; he got what he needed out of the USA program. He got capped and noticed and got a nice pro contract out of it at Saracens. Born in Connecticut of English parents, Wyles, who passed up a trial to England A to play for the USA 7s team in 2006, still has his English accent, and still keeps tugging on that Eagle jersey.

Why? Well, that's just the way he is. He credits playing for Al Caravelli and the USA 7s team with revitalizing his career as a professional. He was a virtual unknown in 15s when he put his hand up in 2007 and said, in light of Francois Viljoen's sad injury problems, that he could play a bit of fullback, too. Since then, Wyles has answered the call. A seasoned pro he makes no complaint about the vast difference in playing for the Eagles in front of 4,000 and playing for Saracens in front of 70,000 (which doesn't happen often, but does happen).

Ask him to play wing or fullback or center? Sure, whatever you need. Flyhaf? We haven't seen it yet, but he's practiced at that position and you never know with the way that position is shaping up for 2015. Kick goals? Well, I don't normally but, yeah, you need me to? Wyles's brilliant goalkicking helped the USA beat Canada in June. He's never been the first-choice goalkicker, and yet he has ammassed 142 points with his boot for the Eagles. His 14 tries ranks 3rd all-time among Eagles. His 212 points ranks 3rd also. The next conversion he kicks will tie him with his USA kicking coach, Chris O'Brien, for 3rd, and he needs 4 penalty goals to get to 3rd (Mark Williams is there now) in penalties. 

But more than that, he's a superbly calm and confident presence at fullback. He handles the high ball, can kick, can run, and not only uses his teammates, but encourages them to be part of the game. Chris Wyles doesn't get another award from us this year, which is why we list him here. He's pretty special, and we should be grateful we've got him.

Here are some photos by David Barpal of Wyles in action, and some GIFs of Wyles - scoring against Uruguay, and showing his abliity to offload even in difficult circumstances.

 

NEXT >>