The USA Men’s Sevens squad has a defining two weeks ahead of them as they head to the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens and HSBC Singapore Sevens next weekend, hoping to keep themselves in the running for early qualification for the 2024 Olympics. A bolstered roster going into Hong Kong includes the return of Lucas Lacamp, who rejoins the team following an injury in Cape Town last December.
Only 13 points separate the USA from that coveted top four ranking, where a crowded pool of unions also find themselves in the mix. While the Dawgs will need some help from the placement of other teams to climb back into position, the only focus for Hong Kong and Singapore is to improve team play and advance through the knockout stages. The USA have strong opponents in their Pool C matchups in Hong Kong with Australia, Japan, and Spain slated for Friday and Saturday. Every single point matters for the USA over these next few weeks, where players and staff will look to focus on each match at a time.
Pita Vi joins the USA traveling squad for the first time with an opportunity to earn his first tournament cap as Maka Unufe remains home to from injury sustained in practice this week.
Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens kicks off Friday, March 31, 2023, LIVE on Peacock.
The USA begin their Hong Kong tour with a rematch against Spain. The two teams have flipped results throughout the season, with the last meeting ending in a draw in Vancouver. As Hong Kong is a three day event, the Spain fixture will be the only match on Friday before the team heads to an overnight break into the remainder of pool play. Always a challenge with momentum and cadence, setting the tone will be important for the USA in this opener.
Saturday brings the USA’s next pool match against Japan, who they defeated 31-7 in their home tournament in Los Angeles. Lastly, the Dawgs will match up with 5th ranked Australia, where the last meeting ended with a USA win. Australia presents a physical game and this could be a swing match for advancing to the quarterfinals, therefore staging a marquee match up to close out Pool C.
“We are looking forward to competing again and returning to the blue ribbon event of Hong Kong. We have a tough assignment ahead of us, where it is very much now or never if we wish to get ourselves back in the top four conversation, currently being fought over by nine teams.
“We are under no illusions that we need to bring greater consistency to our performances, on both sides of the ball. When we play our game with intent and accuracy, we are very capable and it enables us to control those momentum moments. Too many times recently we have not done that and as a result been brutally punished.
"As always we will focus on what we can control during the game and we have a great opportunity as a group to progress if we play with purpose, urgency, and accuracy.”
| Name | Position | HSBC Tournaments |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Aaron Cummings | Forward | 10 |
| 3. David Still | Forward/Wing | 15 |
| 5. Joe Schroeder | Forward | 28 |
| 6. Kevon Williams (C) | Halfback/Wing | 43 |
| 7. Naima Fuala’au | Halfback | 21 |
| 8. Malacchi Esdale | Wing/Center | 14 |
| 9. Stephen Tomasin | Utility | 50 |
| 10. Faitala Talapusi | Halfback | 15 |
| 11. Perry Baker | Wing/Center | 63 |
| 12. Lucas Lacamp | Center | 9 |
| 14. Marcus Tupuola | Halfback/Center | 21 |
| 15. Gavan D'Amore | Forward | 16 |
| 16. Adam Channel | Forward | 8 |
| 25. Pita Vi* | Halfback | USA Debut |
*Indicates uncapped player
Head Coach | Mike Friday
Performance Analyst | Dave Gardner
Strength & Conditioning | Josh Schnell
Athletic Trainer | Bobby Gragston
Team Manager | Scott Novack
Friday, March 31
v. Spain | 7:07 a.m. ET
Saturday, April 1
v. Japan | 12:40 a.m. ET (Friday night) v. Australia | 5:25 a.m. ET
Knockouts begin 8:53 p.m. ET
Sunday, April 2
Knockouts continue
