While we’ve all been looking intently at the USA 15s team, the USA Men’s 7s team has probably been welcoming the lack of scrutiny going into Las Vegas.

Usually the Eagles are entering Sin City at the mid-point of the season and under some pressure - pressure to get some points in the series, pressure to right the ship. Of late, playing on home turf has been good for the Eagles, and in fact last year was something of a watershed moment as they made the semis and started a run of success that would see them win their first World Series tournament ever, in London.

But even though Las Vegas is a month later now, and as such a little later in the schedule (and a little warmer), there are still many questions to answer for the team.

The USA has reached the top eight four tournaments in a row this season, but only in Dubai did they perform particularly well on Day Two. 

Goff Rugby Report sat down with USA Coach Mike Friday to talk about that.

GRR: We’re not sure if it’s picky to say the USA has underperformed when the team has made the top eight in every tournament this season, but it seems like it.

Friday: It’s a very good point. We’ve made the Cup Round, but I am hugely disappointed with the outcomes after that. We’ve actually made 10 Cup Rounds in the last 11, but on the second day we’ve been inconsistent, we’ve missed opportunities.

GRR: What sort of opportunities

Friday: Well we had England in Dubai where we could have been a lot better. The Plate Final in Cape Town against Fiji, and that catastrophic second half against Kenya. When you look at it and some of the games we let slip away, we should be on 63 or 64 points in the World Series table, and that would put us right up there around 4th, instead of 7th.

GRR: What do you think the problem is? It did seem as if emotionally the team saw Kenya coming back [the Eagles were up 21-0 against Kenya in the Plate Semifinals and lost 24-21], and seemed to implode.

Friday: We need to be consistent. It’s a mental thing. Mentally we need to be stronger. When we’re in a tough position, or like against Kenya it’s going against us, we need to be able to take charge, not be mentally weak. We can be better. We know we can. it’s all part of the journey, but it was a tough lesson for us.

GRR: Is the lesson partly that just because you’ve had some success, teams won’t roll over for you?

Friday: These are young men, and they’re learning. And one of the things they need to learn is that you’re not a professional just because your paid to do something. It’s about how you go about your business, how you prepare. Are you prepared to do what it takes to be successful?

GRR: Do they have to hold themselves accountable more? How do you handle it?

Friday: Every player has to be held accountable, but it’s a different method for each player. It’s bespoke approach rather than doing things the same way with every player. US as coaches need to change and be flexible to adjust to what works for a player. There’s an art to it.

GRR: That’s one of the interesting thing about coaching, in that we talk about metrics and KPIs, but sometimes it’s about how you feel about something. Is that difficult to communicate?

Friday: Well, take selections for example. We’ve made some changes, and for the most part there are some very specific reasons why one player is picked over another. But sometimes, we’ll make a selection because I’ve got a gut feeling that the player I’ve selected is the right one for the job. Now, mind you, the player who is left home isn’t too happy to hear that it’s because I’ve got a “gut feeling,” but I am able to tell that player specific things he needs to do.

GRR: You have made a bunch of changes this year, some of them forced on you, and some it appears you’re looking ahead.

Friday: Well, we are coaching and playing not only for this year, but for next year, as well, and the next Olympics. At the same time, the series is so unforgiving, we’ve got to give omse players reps, and maybe manage some other players, as well.

GRR: … But there have been some problems - notably Perry Baker and Carlin Isles not getting the types of passes that allow them to catch on the run and go into space. So, the question is, how’s Maka Unufe?

Friday: (Smiles) Good to go! He is fine, and should he be selected, he’ll be a good addition. His passing is good, and you’ll notice that Martin Iosefo’s passing has been very good in that regard, too.

GRR: You’re taking an Eagles team to Las Vegas, and a Falcons team to the LVI. It will be pretty much everyone in camp being used. Will you make changes after Vegas when you’ve got a week before Vancouver?

Friday: Players can certainly play their way onto the team from the Falcons, and players can play their way off. We’ve got some exciting players. Seth Halliman is an intestine, big, athletic player. Joey Sok has a lot of potential. It’s interesting to see Shalom Suniula get back into it and adjust to what’s needed. Remember, we are preparing for this year, but we’ve got a World Cup in 2018, too. 

GRR: What about the veterans?

Friday: One player I am excited about is Folau Niua. He’s coming out of his shell as a leader, and we’re going to see some good things from him.