PARIS, FRA. - Fresh from securing qualification to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and a Bronze medal in London, the Men’s Eagles Sevens have a chance to claim the World Series title at the final tournament of the season this weekend in Paris, June 1-2. Matches are broadcast LIVE on ESPN+ at usarug.by/ESPN7s.
THIS SEASON, LAST STOP: BRONZE IN LONDON
Last week in London, the Men’s Eagles Sevens secured qualification to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games by advancing to the Cup Quarterfinals and mathematically guaranteeing a top four finish. From there, the side won their seventh medal of the season with Bronze; which in one season alone ties the total number of medals earned since the inception of the World Series.
A big 29-5 win over Spain and two tight defeats of Wales (28-26) and Australia (19-17) led the United States to sweep pool play and make the Cup Quarterfinals. And, with a win over rival-Canada, the U.S. side was set for a big matchup with Fiji in the Semifinal round.
It was there that Fiji claimed the win in a tight and well-contested 10-17 result, after which the USA set focus on the Bronze Final where France conceded the podium finish at 31-14.
As Fiji won the title in London and took the No. 1 ranking, the United States sit two points behind at No. 2 and still with a chance to secure the title this weekend in Paris.
THE SQUAD
Only one change is made to the match-day 12 with Joe Schroeder jumping in for Brett Thompson. Thompson will sit out as a precaution and remains day-to-day. Maceo Brown currently serves as the 13th man injury replacement.
London Sevens saw Stephen Tomasin claim a place in the HSBC Dream Team after scoring the match-winning try in the USA’s tight matchup with Australia and creating opportunities on both sides of the ball all weekend. Kevon Williams displayed similar heroics, as well, halting a comeback by rival-Canada in the Quarterfinal with a try in the final minute that put the U.S. too far ahead for the Canadians to catch up.
As a season comes to a close, the U.S. side has reached a Top 5 Placing in ten statistical categories including their overall ranking, individual player and team achievements.
Among them is Carlin Isles who sits at No. 1 in most tries scored and most clean breaks by a player. Captain Madison Hughes is just three points shy of reclaiming the top spot in most overall points scored while Ben Pinkelman is third in most runs by a player.
Paris will be the final opportunity for the team and each individual player to build on their placings and achieve the most important prize left on the table: their first ever HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series title.
Danny Barrett, Matai Leuta, Folau Niua, Marcus Tupuola, Perry Baker, Martin Iosefo and Maceo Brown round out those listed above to make the full USA roster for HSBC Paris Sevens.
THE COMPETITION
In Pool C, the United States will face Spain, Samoa and Canada in the fight to secure a Cup Quarterfinal berth.
Spain are currently ranked 12th and will be anxious to make an improved showing from their loss in London last week. Samoa sit at seventh in the standings and have missed out on two podium appearances through losses to the U.S. in the Hong Kong Bronze Final and USA Sevens Cup Final. Northern rivals and 11th place Canada will be the final matchup of Day One.
While the USA were the first team to qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games last weekend, Fiji and New Zealand claimed the next two spots. Only two points separate the United States and Fiji, with the Fijians facing Ireland, Argentina and England in Pool A.
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HEAR IT FROM HEAD COACH MIKE FRIDAY
“It is a hugely exciting weekend and opportunity for the boys that they have earned this season as we enter the Paris Sevens in a head-to-head with Fiji for the World Series title. Both teams are in control of their own destinies and will be going all out to win.
“Fiji have as always lived up to their billing as the Kings of 7’s and while everyone will want that colosseum gladiator finale, as the climax of this year’s Series, we must all understand there are 14 other excellent teams who on any day are capable of winning.
“We certainly do not underestimate how hard we have to work to progress out of our group. We will have all our eyes and focus come Saturday on Game One and Spain.”
TO SUM IT UP
The story of the weekend centers on the chance to win it all, a feat that the United States men have never achieved in the decades-long history of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series. After being the first team to qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, winning seven medals and holding a No. 1 placing for most of the season, the Eagles Sevens will leave nothing behind in their quest to top the table once and for all in Paris.
It won’t be an easy tournament, that much is for sure. But sharp, precise execution in attack, the U.S. side have every chance at making history once more.
MEN'S EAGLES SEVENS ROSTER
| PLAYER NAME | POSITION | HSBC TOURNAMENTS TO DATE |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Carlin Isles | Wing | 50 |
| 2. Ben Pinkelman | Prep/Hooker | 32 |
| 3. Danny Barrett | Prop | 47 |
| 4. Matai Leuta | Prop | 35 |
| 5. Joe Schroeder | Prop | 8 |
| 6. Kevon Williams | Halfback/Wing | 20 |
| 7. Folau Niua | Halfback | 68 |
| 8. Marcus Tupuola | Wing | 5 |
| 9. Stephen Tomasin | Hooker | 30 |
| 10. Madison Hughes (C) | Halfback | 46 |
| 11. Perry Baker | Wing | 40 |
| 12. Martin Iosefo | Center | 41 |
| 13. Maceo Brown | Center (injury reserve) | 9 |
MEN’S EAGLES SEVENS STAFF
Head Coach | Mike Friday
Assistant Coach | Anthony Roques
Assistant Coach | Phil Greening
Strength & Conditioning Coach | Jon Hood
Athletic Trainer | Brian Green
Team Manager | Scott Novack
HSBC PARIS SEVENS 2019 SCHEDULE
Pool C | Broadcast LIVE on ESPN Networks
vs Spain | Sat, June 1 - 5:22 AM ET
vs Samoa | Sat, June 1 - 8:48 AM ET
vs Canada | Sat, June 1 - 12:14 PM ET
TOP 5 PLACINGS
(following HSBC London Sevens 2019)
| Category | Position |
|---|---|
| HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series Standing | 2nd (162 points) |
| Most points scored by a team | 3rd (1222 points) |
| Most tries scored by a team | 3rd (199 tries) |
| Most restarts by a team | 4th (205 restarts) |
| Most points by a player | 2nd, Madison Hughes (263 points) 3rd, Carlin Isles (235 points) |
| Most tries by a player | 1st, Carlin Isles (47 tries) |
| Most clean breaks by a player | 1st, Carlin Isles (44 clean breaks) |
| Most restarts by a player | 1st, Folau Niua (157 restarts) |
| Most runs made by a player | 3rd, Ben Pinkelman (168 runs) |
