GRR: Columns
This is an opinion column by Goff Rugby Report editor Alex Goff - Criticism of an Olympic performance is a dicey thing; you have to be aware that being at the Olympics is, for most athletes, a once-in-a-lifetime event, something to be celebrated, and I’m not really all that interested in bringing a player’s pride in representing her nation at Rio down all that far.
Who played the toughest schedule in high school rugby?
We have a look. We looked at how many Top-10, Top-25, and Top-60 opponents teams faced, and produced a points system. In addition, we gave points for tough foreign opposition.
And using this ranking, with a little subjective tie-breaking, we have our list of the teams that work the hardest to challenge themselves.
Richie Walker’s USA Women’s 7s team has a chance to sneak up on people.
It’s no joke. Despite a poor 2015-16 World Series season, the Eagles have a shot at a medal - if Walker has got the chemistry right, and the selections right, and the plan right, then they can do it.
At Goff Rugby Report we give a lot of credence to a team's tough schedule when it comes to rankings.
So the USA Olympic squad has been picked, and if you missed it, here it is:
Perry Baker - Wing
Danny Barrett - Prop
Garrett Bender - Prop
Andrew Durutalo - Prop/Hooker
Nate Ebner - Prop/Hooker/Center (?)
Madison Hughes - Halfback and Sweeper
Carlin Isles - Wing
Folau Niua - Halfback
Ben Pinkelman - Prop/Hooker