The USA Men's 7s team has some work to do this week and next as it looks to Dubai and South Africa.

 

Coach Mike Friday's team won the Bowl at Gold Coast in Australia, but they need more consistent performances to get into the top eight, and better. Friday has invited 29 players to try out for the team this week and that list includes, once again, some little-known up-and-comers from various corners of the American rugby landscape. One of those is Martin Iosefo, a Hawaiian who went to the University of Montana to play football and instead re-discovered rugby. He has been playing with the Tiger Academy, and is elusive, quick, and powerful. More on Iosefo here.

Iosefo may be the newest name in the pool of 29. Zach Pangelinan isn't a stranger to the USA 7s team - he's played for them before - but this is his first look in a while. The 26-year-old is a skilled flyhalf/scrumhalf in 7s who can kick. He's maturing as a player and it will be interesting to see if he gives the other halfbacks competition. Max de Achaval is another who has been on the periphery for some time. He has never been capped at the full international level, but has been close. The book on him has always been that he's not big and physical, and not speedy, but he is very smooth, has great kicking and passing skills, and is durable.
 

Several recent or current college payers, such as Garrett Brewer (former St. Mary's) and Kingsley McGowan (current St. Mary's), and Aladdin Schirmer (Central Washington), are in camp. Almost all fit the profile of the tall, rangy player with pace so nicely exemplified by new try-scoring sensation Perry Baker.

Danny Barrett is in camp despite having to drop out of the 15s national team tour with a broken finger. He underwent surgery and is working on his fitness, but will need a little luck to get fully fit to travel to Dubai. Not being able to use a hand in rugby makes things difficult.

Friday has tried to use his first couple of camps to light a fire of uncertainty under his players. He wants them competing for their jobs.

 

"I am hoping to see continual physical improvement," said the coach. "We will also continue to focus on the basics of the game as these are the essence and foundations. Our skills let us down at crucial times on Day 1 and whilst we were more than competitive in the group we should have finished top in the group and its the little things that hindered us."

The players will be working on tactical recognition in both attack and defence, getting all players to understand the decision-making process, so if one guy goes right, he has support going right with him. Isolated ballcarriers lead to penalties and turnovers.

"On too many occasions we created opportunities but failed to recognise that picture and position ourselves correctly and accurately to take advantage, allowing defenses to reconnect," said Friday. "Likewise, in defense, improved decision-making in the breakdown and subsequent alignment are areas we need to continue developing."

The USA coaches are also looking to develop stronger mental resolve, using US Olympic Committee resources to have sports psychologists work with the players to develop clear thinking and to learn to put aside distractions.

That might seem like a contradiction - get players worried about their place on the team and then tell them not to think about it - but it's how successful teams operate. Now, in camp, is the time to work hard to get your place. Later, when the whistle blows, is the time to forget about all that and play.

Of the players in camp, it's hard to imagine that Zach Test, Madison Hughes, Perry Baker, or Carlin Isles will not make the team.

Garrett Bender, Folau Niua and Andrew Durutalo seem to be solid, also, even with Niua playing with the 15s team at the moment. But tha still leaves five spots in play. They could well be claimed by those who were in Gold Coast (Maka Unufe comes to mind), but there are still plenty of opportunities for athletes in camp to make an impression.