CHULA
VISTA, Calif. – USA Men’s Eagles Head Coach, Al Caravelli, announced
today the 12-player squad selected to travel to the New Zealand and USA
legs of the 2011-2012 HSBC Sevens World Series.
Only
three changes have been made to the team that travelled to Australia,
Dubai, and South Africa in late 2011 for the first three stops of the
Series, providing a core group of experienced and capable players.
Maka
Unufe, a highly recruited former wide receiver from Provo, Utah, joins
the squad after missing out on the first three legs. Unufe played in
three National Championships in 2011 at the Under-19, Men’s Club, and
All-Star levels and his performance earned him a spot on the 2011 Pan
American Games squad. He helped his team win a Bronze in the Games.
Roland
Suniula returns to the squad after recovering from an injury in the Pan
Ams. Suniula was the first-choice flyhalf for the Eagles in the 2011
Rugby World Cup, showing his versatility at the fifteen and seven-a-side
versions of the game.
The
third addition to the squad is Andrew Durutalo. Durutalo got his first
taste of international sevens last December after joining the squad in
South Africa to provide cover for the team that played three tournaments
in as many weekends. Durutalo fit right in on the sevens field and
scored his first international try against Canada.
The
young up-and-coming players Miles Craigwell and Andrew Durutalo join
veteran forwards Mark Bokhoven, Mike Palefau, and Matt Hawkins.
Craigwell has been on every leg of the Series since December 2010.
The
backs are packed with pace and experience and led by captain Shalom
Suniula. Peter Tiberio, Maka Unufe, and Folau Niua represent the new
blood in the backline.
Utility
players Zack Test (vice-captain) and Colin Hawley are handy all over
the field and are among the most consistent performers at the
international level.
USA
Rugby announced in November 2011 that 15 full-time training contracts
would be offered to sevens athletes, lending momentum to the USA Rugby
sevens program. Of the 12 traveling players, seven are full-time
residents. The remaining five players are from the taxi squad.
In
Wellington, the Eagles will face Pool B opponents South Africa,
England, and the Cook Islands, a firm challenge but a great test for the
squad.
Source: USA Rugby
USA Men’s Eagle Sevens | 2012 New Zealand and USA Sevens
1. Mark Bokhoven (Denver Barbarians; Ames, Iowa)
2. Mike Palefau (Utah Warriors; Salt Lake City, Utah)
3. Miles Craigwell (Old Puget Sound Beach; Boston, Mass.)
4. Shalom Suniula (USA Rugby; San Diego, Calif.)
5. Zack Test (USA Rugby; Palo Alto, Calif.)
6. Matt Hawkins (Belmont Shore; San Diego, Calif.)
7. Maka Unufe (USA Rugby; Provo, Utah)
8. Andrew Durutalo (Old Puget Sound Beach; Seattle, Wa.)
9. Folau Niua (USA Rugby; East Palo Alto, Calif.)
10. Peter Tiberio (USA Rugby; Naperville, Ill.)
11. Colin Hawley (USA Rugby; Trowbridge, Calif.)
12. Roland Suniula (USA Rugby; Boston, Mass.)
Congrats to the 12 players that will be representing the United States!
5 wisely commented |:
So what happened to Nick Edwards?
Ripped off the song from "Art of Flight"
Great choice in your 12 men. Go Eagles!
Proud of my 2 brotha's from the Utah Warriors #2 & #7 who will be presenting the US.
Not sure about Nick, could have injured himself or might not have been at camp despite what RugbyMag might have said...
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