International Rugby News
Maybe not so much a rookie, Ariana Ramsey is still listed as uncapped for the USA Women’s 7s team; uncapped, but an Olympian.
Ramsey hasn’t played in the Sevens World Series yet, but did enough to garner a place on the Eagles squad for Tokyo. She says it’s because she knew where she was deficient, and fixed it.
Martin Iosefo came into this spring/summer USA 7s team assembly in the best shape of his life, and he is poised to make a big impact in Tokyo.
The Flyn’ Hawaiian was forced, like his teammates, to take time off during the COVID pandemic in 2020. For Iosefo, that time off coincided with his desire to re-format his training, and also support his wife’s career.
Following his red card against Ireland, USA flanker Riekert Hattingh has been suspended four weeks by World Rugby.
Hattingh, who was cited and exonerated for a challenge in the air against England, was red-carded against Ireland for a dangerous tackle.
Like the USA men’s 7s team, the USA women had a long travel from Chula Vista, Calif. to Mimasaka, Japan, lasting about a day and a half, but the goal at the end of all that makes handling it easier.
Traveling to Japan was a big long slog for the USA 7s teams getting ready for the Olympics, but they’ve made it.
The trip from San Diego to LA to Seoul (where they took COVID tests) to Tokyo and then on the Mimasaka took 36 hours. Grueling, for sure, but worth it.