Carlin Isles became the #2 al-time USA try-scorer in 7s World Series history last weekend, and he did it while leading the tournament in tries.

But while that milestone is a nice one, it's not why we at Goff Rugby Report think he deserved a place on the Tokyo 7s Dream Team. Isles is starting to figure out more and more the little extra things in rugby. He is tackling better. He is reading the field better. He is passing better.

Head Coach Mike Friday agreed, saying he was impressed with Isles's resilience.

"His commitment and bravery all weekend in the contact area and tackling is too often overlooked and yet again he illustrated the improvement not only in his tackle completion but his breakdown work," Friday told Goff Rugby Report. "He has come a long way In his all round game in the last 6 months and whilst he still has areas to improve and needs to bring a greater consistency he is growing into a very good offensive and defensive winger on the circuit."

Below are two examples of the new things you see Carlin Isles do. (If you don't see the GIFs, refresh the page)

The first is a GIF of Isles chasing a kick ahead. Another time, he might have tried to pick up the ball on a tricky bounce with defenders in his face. This time, he saw that a) kicking the ball ahead would work better, and b) he had support in Madison Hughes. Hughes would score from this.

Next is this tackle against Samoa. This demonstrates Isles's physical strength, and also his understanding of the laws and his role when tackling near the line. It's a brilliant tackle that saves a try, a tackle anyone would be proud of. This is what we mean when we say Carlin Isles is playing well.