Perry Baker’s first foray into high-level American 7s was back in 2006, when he was the central weapon for the Daytona Beach Coconuts in their run to the USA Club 7s Nationals. 

A teenager at the time, Baker would be the tall guy at the restarts, and the fast guy running in the tries. He was thin, young, raw, and had potential. His move to Columbus, Ohio and to the Tiger Rugby program turned that Daytona enthusiasm and training into something more intense, and then he was on to the USA team.

Now, just 15 tournaments into his World Series career, he has 50 tries. Or, rather, 51 as he entered the Canada 7s on 49, and scored two against France.

“Fifty? I had no idea until you just told me,” Baker told Goff Rugby Report. The first one was a classic pass to the fast guy and make him beat a man for a long run. The second was chasing a grubber. Chasing kicks is something Baker and Carlin Isles can do well, and it has always been an effective weapon. “It’s just what my teammates saw and they believed in me.”

But more than that, Baker has been an increasingly effective defensive player. He saved a try with a tackle that forced a dropped ball, and put in some more effective tackles. He has been able to run the length of the field to stop a try, and turn around and run the length of the field the other way (or longer, if you remember one of this tries from Las Vegas) to score. 

“We do a lot of fitness and that’s what it’s about,” Baker said. “If you want to win, you’ve got to run a long way, and if you make a long run, you’re definitely not done. It’s a huge factor in what we do.”

It’s been ten years since he was in that club nationals tournament, he has grown and developed nicely as a player. There isn’t just one run in him, and certainly not just 51 tries in him.

“My teammates believe in my and I believe in myself also,” said Baker. “I do everything I can to not let them down.”