By Nick Gasparro, Operations Assistant CVEATC
Chula Vista, CA – The Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center (CVEATC) would like to congratulate the USA Men’s Rugby Sevens on a successful HSBC World Rugby Sevens season. USA Sevens finished the series in 6th place, the 7th time the team has finished in the top six in 22 years. The CVEATC is proud to be the home of USA Men’s and Women’s Rugby Sevens since 2011. With the season now complete, USA Sevens are looking at a quick turnaround, as they will head to Cape Town, South Africa next week for the Rugby World Cup Sevens.
The USA Men’s Rugby Sevens, known as the Eagles, began the 2021-2022 HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series back in November in Dubai, UAE. The Eagles recorded their best result of the season in Dubai, finishing in second place. Along the way, the Eagles defeated Kenya, Great Britain, Fiji and tied Argentina only to come up short versus powerhouse South Africa in the Championship Game.
January of 2022 saw the Eagles travel to Spain for two HSBC Series in Malaga and Seville. The Eagles began the Malaga series in impressive fashion, defeating newcomers Jamaica 47-0, and Argentina. After a tough defeat to Australia, the Eagles bounced back versus Canada and earned a spot in the 5th place match versus France, but had to settle for 6th as the French won 28-12.
The Eagles bounced back in Seville, going 3-1-2 on the weekend. This time around the Eagles got their revenge versus France, defeating them in the semifinal 5th place match with rivals England left to play. Trailing 17-10, Carlin Isles broke free to score and start the comeback. With time running out, USA’s Kevon Williams recovers a scrum and bolted for the game winner. At the time, The Eagles left Spain in 4th place overall of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series with everything left to play for in the 5 remaining tournaments.
The month of April saw the Eagles travel to Singapore and Vancouver for rounds 5 and 6 of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series. The Eagles started the Singapore series with a bang, defeating Kenya, Canada, and powerhouse South Africa on day one. After loosing to Ireland and defeating Samoa 24-17, the Eagles once again had a 5th place match to play versus Argentina, but lost and had to settle for 6th.
Vancouver was not so welcoming to the Eagles, as they recorded their lowest amount of points in the HSBC Series there (3). After going 2-3, the Eagles had to prepare for a 13th place match versus Spain. The Eagles went on to defeat Spain 33-24, remaining in 4th place in the overall HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series standing with three tournaments left to play.
After hard fought matches in Toulouse, France and London, England during the month of May, The Eagles had an extended 85-day break until the next series, the highly anticipated HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series finale from Los Angeles, CA. During that time the team traveled back to CVEATC to prepare for LA and the Rugby World Cup Sevens in Cape Town, South Africa which begins September 9.
August 27 Saw the Eagles travel up to Dignity Health Sports Park, in LA for the first ever HSBC World Rugby Sevens finale on American soil. The Eagles shocked the world in the first match, defeating series leaders South Africa 21-7. New Zealand brought the Eagles back to earth at the next match, defeating them 33-12. However, The Eagles still managed to seal a spot into the knockout stages after defeating Canada in the third game.
Day two did not go as planned for the Eagles as they fell to powerhouse Fiji 28-12 in the first match, which put them in a 5th place playoff match versus Kenya. The Eagles lost to Kenya in a heartbreaker, as the shorthanded Americans carried a tie into the final seconds, but with a scrambled defense, Kenya did a midfield line break for the game winner, ending the Eagles 2021-2022 season.
The Eagles ended the 2021-2022 HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series in 6th (86 pts.), with Australia taking home the title in dramatic fashion on the last day over South Africa.
Eagles 2021-2022 team leaders
- Points Scored: Steve Tomasin – 234
- Tries Scored: Kevon Williams – 33
- Conversions: Steve Tomasin – 72
- Matches: Joe Schroeder – 48
- Tackles: Steve Tomasin – 70
- Runs: Kevon Williams – 126
- Restarts: Folau Niua – 74
- Clean Breaks: Kevon Williams – 34
Now the Eagles will shift their focus to the Rugby World Cup Sevens from South Africa which begins September 9th. One of the biggest challenges for the Eagles heading into Cape Town is an injured roster of veterans like Stephen Tomasin, which will give an opportunity for others to shine.
Once the Rugby World Cup Sevens ends, the Eagles will return to CVEATC to prepare for the start of the 2022-2023 HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series in November from Dubai. Los Angeles, CA once again will be the host city for the United States in February of 2023. Mark your calendars, as that will be an event you won’t want to miss!
The CVEATC once again would like to congratulate the USA Men’s Eagles Sevens on a successful HSBC World Rugby Sevens season, and would like to wish them the best of luck during the Rugby World Cup Sevens from Cape Town, South Africa.
To learn more about the USA Men’s Eagles Rugby Sevens, follow the links below:
