The USA Men’s 7s team in camp in the OTC will be whittled down to a squad of 12 for the NACRA 7s

That 12 won’t be much difference from the 12 that won the London 7s, but there could be a few changes.

Here are our thoughts:

Madison Hughes is the team captain and probably their best player at the moment. Danny Barrett has emerged from being a powerhouse player with attacks of indiscipline into a consistently terrifying presence. Maka Unufe could rival Hughes for player of the year. These three are all easy picks.

Zack Test has been the best USA player for some time, and also is a contender for best Eagle 7s player. But he was injured and missed London. He should be 100% for NACRA, though, which actually pushes someone who played in London out of the running. Folau Niua’s value was shown in Glasgow when he was suspended and the team struggled without him. While they learned to adjust, Niua brings an ability to see the field, distribute, and kick, that they need.

Then, out wide, how can you not pick the speedy due of Carlin Isles and Perry Baker? There really isn’t anyone else in the OTC like them. The two combined for 60 tries over the World Series season, and if the NACRA teams have anything, they have pace. They will be needed as much for their cover defense.

So that’s seven players picked, with only one being a dedicated forward (Test can play almost anywhere). What we need to round out the squad will be another halfback and four forwards, of which at least two need to be able to play in the backs.

For halfback, the fight is among Shalom Suniula, Nate Augspurger, Mike Te’o, and Stephen Tomasin. Suniula has immense experience (he was named to the camp but may not be there the whole time), but Augspurger has been in impressive form of late.

Among the forwards, the incumbents are Garrett Bender - playing his best rugby at present - and Andrew Durutalo - also in good form. Matai Leuta - playing very well in flashes - is injured. Martin Iosefo - absent of late due to school - is another player with a lot of upside.

It is really, really difficult to drop Bender from this team. He is so powerful, has expanded his open field game, and is strong on the restarts. But when you look at some of the players pushing for a spot, you wonder if some of the others might fall by the wayside.

Brett Thompson is a powerful runner coming back from injury who might well break in as a forward/back combination player. Chris Wyles is just too experienced and strong to ignore. Durutalo has nailed down the role of short forward who burrows into the rucks and sets the physical tone. Pat Blair would like to be that guy, and Mike Te’o or Stephen Tomasin could be like that, too. 

We think that Mike Friday finds a spot for Wyles, but that Thompson might be a bit of an injury risk, and Iosefo ready to play, might stay home. In the end, Durutalo likely makes this team, but Leuta’s ineligibility opens up a spot for a grinder like Blair or Tomasin.

We haven’t mentioned Will Holder, who provides another option for Friday as a player who can play almost everywhere and has good field vision; Nic Edwards is somewhat similar a player and has tons of experience; Ben Leatigaga provides an injection of pace and power; Chris Turori is a little more power and a little less pace.

Almost any combination would do well in NACRA, but it’s not just about doing well, it’s about winning. It’s about beating Canada. To beat Canada the Eagles have to be very strong in contact, united on defense, and explosive on attack. Weak tacklers need not apply, and the same goes for ball fumblers.

Here’s our best-guess 12

Madison Hughes

Perry Baker

Danny Barrett

Garrett Bender

Andrew Durutalo

Carlin Isles

Folau Niua

Zack Test

Maka Unufe

Chris Wyles

…

And two more - Nate Augspurger or Shalom Suniula - probably Augspurger.

Martin Iosefo, Brett Thompson, or Stephen Tomasin or one of the remaining six healty players.

(Correction: we said earlier Leuta was ineligible. He's injured.)