As the US Military team gets set to travel to the UK for a week-and-a-half-long tour, captain Cody Melphy is looking at a team coming from all over the USA and the world to form a cohesive team in jut a few days.
Roster for US Military Team Tour of UK Set
USA Military Team to Tour England in November
“Team-building is all about trust and shared effort,” said Melphy, who captained the USA 7s team at times during his USA 7s career. “Luckily, the military background most of us share makes that easier because we already know how to rely on each other, stay disciplined, and perform under pressure.”
Rugby, however, is different, acknowledges the former Scholz Award finalist.
“Just because we get along off the field doesn’t mean we’ll click on the field right away. We have to build that chemistry quickly, so it’s important to create small moments where guys can bond—whether it’s over meals, warmups, or just hanging out. And most importantly, we need everyone to buy into the same goals from the start.”
And what are the goals? Of course you want to win the games, but the tour is about more than that. The US Military has a strong connection with rugby and this is, in a way, a diplomatic mission. It’s an outreach using the brotherhood of rugby and the military to bring a little unity to the world and also show that this tour can be done and can be done in a meaningful way.
“The non-rugby stuff is really meaningful to all of us,” added Melphy. “Remembrance Day is personal—it's a time to honor those who came before us and reflect on the sacrifices that allow us to do what we do today. Being part of those moments gives you a sense of purpose beyond rugby.”
The tourists will be part of Remembrance Day events on November 11. They will also attend the England vs Australia test match.
“It’s not every day you get to see two top-tier teams go head-to-head in person,” added Melphy. “Beyond the excitement, it’s also a reminder of how rugby connects people across different nations. For us, it’s an opportunity to soak in that atmosphere and appreciate the global reach of the sport we love.”
