Going into Dubai and Cape Town, USA Men’s 7s Head Coach Mike Friday said his team was “undercooked,” meaning he would have liked some more time with them before the start of the season.

They didn’t look so undercooked, though, beating New Zealand twice and taking 3rd in the opening tournament, an event that has often been a tough one for the Eagles.

Aside from things starting a little early, Friday also had to contend with some changes in the lineup - Danny Barrett had picked up an injury at the Rugby World Cup, and Andrew Durutalo had left to sign with the Sunwolves of Super Rugby. 

Durutalo won’t be back, of course, and he is missed, given his ability to steal possession in the breakdown (which is, of course, why the Sunwolves nabbed him).

“Andrew was a good player for us last year and his performances and attitude to being a better rugby player have allowed him to force his way to becoming a USA 15s starter and a subsequent Super Rugby contract,” said Friday. “We are all proud of him in the 7s family and want him to be successful, and this illustrates to others that being successful with the 7s can open doors to other opportunities.”

But, still, Friday has to place that in-breakdown ability, and certainly Zack Test has emerged as one of those players - not asked to shoulder the offensive burden so much, he has been able to make more of an impact on defense and in the rucks. Folau Niua, also, is a player easily overlooked in that he’s a playmaker-halfback, but is defensively solid and powerful in traffic.

But look, also, for newcomer Ben Pinkelman to find his niche in the rucks.

“Ben Pinkleman will debut as we have managed to get agreement with his college for him to be able to travel without compromising his studies,” Friday told Goff Rugby Report. “He has been with the program for the last 18 months and we have seen him grow in confidence and understanding to match his physical footballing attributes. I have no doubt we will be hearing a lot about Ben over the next couple of years.”

Friday does, however, get to bring hard-charging Danny Barrett back. The former Cal All-American is known for pulling a try out of nowhere and was central to the Eagles’ tournament win in London last spring.

“He is a huge positive for us as he is a talisman for the squad with his physicality and ball-playing ability,” said Friday. “And Danny will bring the grit ingredient we need more of in the squad.”

But, of course, more than anything, what we’re seeing is competition for places. Friday wants the squad to he unified, but a little bit unsettled, too. Competition for places is good, but only if players see that there is actually a shift once in a while. That’s not to say that Garrett Bender or Brett Thompson staying home is for show - but Friday does understand that the players pushing for places need hope.

“We have a very high-volume, intense camp as we continue to push the boys physically and challenge them mentally both on the pitch and in the classroom,” said Friday. “Whilst I recognize and accept we are still learning, lessons need to be learned quickly and acknowledged so they can be worked on to become a strength. This is very much work in progress for the next six months and we are approaching that work in a number of ways.”

The Eagles can at times let their emotions get the best of them - oddly sometimes it is against teams they should beat. And Friday said not controlling emotions at stressful times was his squad’s undoing in Cape Town.

“At times we allowed ourselves not to perform rather than by being outplayed,” said Friday, who is looking not only at the coming two tournaments, and the World Series season, but, of course, the Olympics in Rio. “I have set out the season plan in full to the lads so they fully understand what lays ahead and the opportunities they will all have to compete in camp and competitively to put their best foot forward as we build into The Olympics. They are under no illusions as to how competitive the environment will be and that the margins between success and failure so small but this is exactly where we need to be as a group to get the best out of each other.”