BOULDER, Colo. – The USA Rugby Boys High School All-Americans will arrive in London on St. Patrick’s Day to prepare for the Rosslyn Park Sevens, which begins on Thursday, March 22. Salty Thompson’s young team made it to the round of 16 at last year’s tournament, and hopes to perform well on Thursday giving them a chance to advance during the knockout stages on Friday.
“We earned a measure of respect last year,” Thompson said. “We’re in with a couple of tough teams and hopefully a couple of easier teams. It’s a big challenge.”
Sponsored by Aircraft Charter Solutions, the HSAAs defeated one of the two British Columbia teams in the High School Elite Division Final at the Las Vegas Invitational in February. While the Canadian opponent was a tough test for Thompson’s team, the depth of experience and talent of the English, Welsh, Scottish and Irish teams will bring out the best in the All-Americans.
“We played with athleticism, skill and game understanding in Vegas,” Thompson said. “Players are arriving into the HSAA program with better skills and rugby IQ thanks to the improved levels of coaching and the fact that the players are starting to play younger.”
With 110 teams in the open division at the Rosslyn Park Sevens, the High School All-Americans have been drawn in Group C with English schools Kirkham, London Oratory, and Robert Clack and Welsh side Tasker Milward.
Calvin Whiting of United Rugby Club in Utah will captain the All-Americans and will be joined by club teammate Zach Webber in London.
“Both players were instrumental in our success and have made significant improvements in their pace and power since they debuted on the South American tour in July,” Thompson said.
After Rosslyn Park Sevens, the U17 All-Americans will travel to London for the Wellington College International Tournament, where they will face Wales U16s, Belgium U17s and England South U16s in group play.
USA Rugby Boys High School All-Americans Roster | Rosslyn Park Sevens
Sondai Adjei
Niall Barry
Mitchel Gusman
Joseph Kelly
David Kucharski
Billy Maggs
Jesse Mander
Austen Middleton
David Todd
James Vaifale
Zach Webber
Calvin Whiting
