USA Men's 7s Picked for RAN Olympic 7s Qualifiers
USA Men's 7s Picked for RAN Olympic 7s Qualifiers
USA Men's 7s team Head Coach Mike Friday announced his traveling roster for 2023 RAN Sevens as they continue their journey to Olympic qualification.
Thirteen men head to Langford, BC, where they will begin their tour with Mexico and Bermuda in Pool A. 2023 RAN Sevens kicks off Friday, August 18, live on The Rugby Network.
Ben Pinkelman rejoins the USA Men’s Sevens squad for the first time since 2021. Recovered from a back injury, the 2016 Olympian and on-field leader has worked his way back to the international stage through a stint with PR7s this summer. Perry Baker, who sat out the 2023 World Rugby Sevens Series finale tournament, is back to full health following a shoulder surgery and will make an appearance in Langford. The roster also features Utah Warriors Flanker, Lance Williams, who made his sevens debut last fall.
Friday’s carefully selected squad will be the driving force behind the team’s ultimate goal of qualifying for the 2024 Olympics in Paris. The squad will play Mexico and Bermuda in Pool A to qualify for the knockout stages. The winner of 2023 RAN Sevens will earn a spot in Paris. This is the first time the USA will face Mexico and Bermuda in recent history. With every team’s sights set on qualification, the ultimate goal will be the gold medal match.
"We are very much looking forward to the challenge at the home of Canada Rugby this coming weekend in Langford.
We have all made personal sacrifices for this mission and have prepared well these last 12 weeks as a group. For the first time since Dubai, we are also able to have a full squad to select from.
I am extremely pleased with the players' attitude and commitment to the mission. We have worked extremely hard to be physically prepared for the challenge and as a group worked hard daily on our skills, decision making and tactical acumen under pressure and fatigue.
I am excited to see the boys perform this weekend as they strive to play our game accurately with a sense of collective enjoyment and responsibility to punch the ticket to Paris."
Pinkelman's return is not much of a surprise given that he was back in PR 7s and had essentially announced he would make a move to return to the Eagles. His return is welcome because of his ability in the breakdown, in the open field, and his leadership. Friday said that Pinkelman's selection was the work of eight months as it became clear he felt much better about his injured back.
"He is our Pathways Coach and he's a very good Pathways Coach and he's been two years away, but he's been working hard since January to get here," said Friday. "He was the glue on the team for the Steeltoes [in PR 7s] and he played against Japan [in a recent scrummage]. Ben makes good decisions in high-octane moments and he has the ability to take himself out of it and just worry about what the team needs. In that way he will help Kevon."
Captain Kevon Williams echoed that, saying Pinkelman, who captained the USA 7s team on occasion, will be a good sounding board for him.
"Being captain has been stressful," said Williams. "So it's great having Pinky back and he brings so much knowledge."
Adam Channel returns after some very direct and harsh words about his mental focus, and in fact, after being dropped fromt he squad this year, he returned with the best fitness scores of anyone.
So the way this team maps out is this:
Strong Forwards who Play Good Defense and Good in the Air:
Joe Schroeder
Ben Pinkelman
Aaron Cummings
Cummings is a defensive standout and very aggressive in stealing ball in the breakdown.
Playmakers:
Kevon Williams (Captain)
Marcus Tupuola
Naima Fuala'au
Faitala Talapusi
Tupuola, said Friday, is "mad as a box of frogs" but he meant it in a good way. His unpredictability is his asset. Being detailed and precise are the challenges for Fuala'au and Talapusi, while Williams remains a breakaway threat up the middle.
Finishers:
Perry Baker
Malachi Esdale
Lucas Lacamp
Despite being plagued by a nerve problem that sidelined him late in tournaments and late in the 2022-23 season, Baker led the USA with 35 tries. He is now fully fit and does not look 37 as he continues to cruise past defenders. Esdale is set to being his fourth season with the team and is no longer a newbie. Lacamp, now healthy, brings breakaway acceleration to the equation.
Tweeners:
Stephen Tomasin
Lance Williams
Adam Channel
Tomasin led the USA in points scored last World Series season and he can play almost anywhere. Again, with a little rest and recuperation he's come back strong and is a crucial link as well as a learned voice in the changing room. Williams, while relatively new to the team, is a massive hit machine and also provides a bit of an elder statesman vibe especially for the younger players looking for some direction. The Hawai'ian's football and professional rugby background gives him an insight into how to switch it on, and his Utah Warriors teammate Danny Christensen said the following in a profile the team did on him: “He’s great at being as intense as anyone on the field and then letting it all go and being a guy who likes to be goofy and have a good time in the locker room and off the field. He really does have the perfect balance, I feel, and it’s part of what has made him so successful. He brings a great energy that everyone responds to.”
Channel, as we said, struggled both with injuries and focus but his improved fitness, said Friday, has shown up in how he executes his skills. He could be a comeback breakout player.
Full USA Men's 7s Roster
1. Aaron Cummings Forward
5. Joe Schroeder Forward
6. Kevon Williams (C) Halfback/Wing
7. Naima Fuala'au Halfback
8. Malacchi Esdale Wing/Center
9. Stephen Tomasin Forward
10. Faitala Talapusi Halfback
11. Perry Baker Wing
12. Lucas Lacamp Center
14. Marcus Tupuola Haflback/Center
16. Adam Channel Forward
24. Lance Williams Forward
28. Ben Pinkelman Forward
