USA Sevens coach Al Caravelli is looking for his charges to build on their Cup quarter-final appearance in the last IRB Sevens World Series event in South Africa, despite losing captain Riaan Hamilton for both the Wellington and San Diego legs through injury.
Hamilton and Nic Johnson both suffered injuries in the week-long training camp in San Diego, while Takudzwa Ngwenya is back with his French club Biarritz after joining the squad for the tournament in George, which brought a first Cup quarter-final in five years for the USA.
The experienced Chris Wyles and Todd Clever take over as captain and vice captain respectively in a squad which sees Jason Pye return from injury after missing the first two tournaments of 2007/08 and two players called up for the first time in Matt Hawkins and Troy Hall.
“Both Matt and Troy will be great additions to the team,” said Caravelli. “They both have excellent defensive skills and are extremely physical. As for Jason, he came into camp in amazing condition and with a new defensive vigour.
“The time and energy that was spent working with our team on strength, conditioning, yoga and Pilates was invaluable. Unfortunately we lost two players to injury, captain Riaan Hamilton and Nic Johnson, whom we hope will both have a speedy recovery so we can have them back in time for Hong Kong.
Rising to the big challenge
“The entire squad was amazing, this week every single player brought something unique and special to the team. I will never get tired of saying this is the fitted and fastest camp we have ever had and it was.
“It’s truly amazing how they continue to push each other on and off the field and it really shows in all aspects of their game. The entire team continues to strive for excellence and I am thrilled and excited to see what they can do next week in Wellington.”
Caravelli’s side will need to rediscover the form that saw them beat Samoa in the Plate semi-finals in George if they are to secure another Cup quarter-final at the New Zealand International Sevens, having been drawn with Argentina, Scotland and Tonga in Pool D.
They will then hope to give their home fans something to cheer at the USA Sevens from 9-10 February at PETCO Park in San Diego, a tournament which will pit them against South Africa, England and Mexico in Pool D.
USA squad:
Mark Bokhoven (Denver Barbarians), Todd Clever (OMBAC), James Gillenwater (unattached), Troy Hall (White Plains), Matt Hawkins (OMBAC), PJ Komongnan (Radford), Valenese Malifa (Belmont Shore), Thretton Palamo (Biarritz), Mike Palefau (Petrarca), Jason Pye (Park City Haggis), Dallen Stanford (Belmont Tigers), Chris Wyles (OMBAC – Captain).
