We rank Pool B the toughest of the Women’s Collegiate 7s Championship. Navy, Harvard, Colorado and Northern Iowa have a tough day one ahead of them, but on the bright side, their pool should produce some of the better 7s seen on the day.

During the second year of the Women’s College 7s Championship, the field has been filled out by teams that are better prepared for 7s and more intrigued by the opportunity for another national title than in 2011. And we’re willing to bet that at least a finalist will come out of Pool A.

The USA Women’s 7s team is ramping up for the first leg of the IRB Women Sevens World Series in Dubai this weekend. The team departed from the USA on November 23, banking more time than usual to adjust to the time difference and climate.

But more time on the ground isn’t the only improvement we’re seeing during this tour. Coach Ric Suggitt has assembled his most experienced squad since professional 7s players were introduced to the American landscape, and they’ll face the toughest lineup of teams since the 2009 Rugby World Cup Sevens.

“There are some mature players on this squad, and our previous captains [Deven Owsiany and Beth Black] have done a really good job getting us to this stage that we are at right now,” Suggitt said. “There are a lot of leaders on this team, and the key is that they are all accountable for their role and fulfilling their responsibilities within the framework of the team.”

Suggitt appointed Vanesha McGee captain for this tour, and the figurehead must ensure that the players function as a unified group. She has all but Kimber Rozier and Kaelene Lundstrum from the Chula Vista group with her, as is joined by veterans Emilie Bydwell, Vix Folayan and Teena Mastrangelo. Lauren Doyle is the lone youngster, who earned her first 7s caps in China a month ago.

As of yesterday, the team had four quality training sessions, according to Suggitt, and the team has made the necessary adjustments from the 15-hour flight. The coach reports that the players are relaxed and looking forward to day one of the tournament.

The Eagles will have little time to settle into their first game against France and will be pushed even harder against the Netherlands. The USA is familiar with both sides, facing them regularly in Las Vegas, Hong Kong, London and Amsterdam. Those games are always close, and often come down to a try or fewer, but the USA is capable of defeating those fellow core teams.

Australia is a different story. The reigning world cup champs have been able to keep the Americans at arms’ length. When the two sides last met at the London 7s, Australia beat the USA 22-5 during pool play. This year, Australia have shown some vulnerability, losing to New Zealand 35-24 in the final of the Oceania Women’s 7s Championship this August. In September, Australia rallied to win the Asia Pacific Women’s 7s Championship 36-17 against Japan, a rematch of a game that went Japan's way earlier in the tournament.

The Eagles' games against France and Netherlands are must-wins, but it’s the third game against Australia that will help pinpoint what progress the USA has made since taking up residence in Chula Vista 10 months ago.

“As usual I would like to see a lot of victories,” Suggitt said. “But as we know, all teams want the same thing when we enter competitions like this one. I am excited for our team to test themselves against the best in the world. This squad has put in the hours at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, and now it is time for them to go out and express themselves.”

The action kicks off Friday at 12:04 p.m. (9:04 p.m. EST) against France, followed by the Netherlands at 4:14 p.m. (1:15 a.m. Saturday) and Australia at 8:42 p.m. (5:42 a.m. Saturday). With three pools of four teams, the field will be reseeded 1-12 for playoffs. The top eight teams will be placed into the Cup bracket, with 1 v 8, 2 v 7, etc., while the bottom four will compete for the bowl.

Heading into the Women’s National Team’s tour of Europe, expectations were set. They weren’t all met, but the trip overseas wasn’t without its merit.

“I think the 1-2 [record] is disappointing,” WNT coach Pete Steinberg said. “However, I think it was a reasonable expectation coming into the tour. As a program, we have focused on player development and not performance. These were the only matches we played this year, and we got what we wanted: a view of where we were.”

So where is the USA? Right now, they are not a top-four team. They could be – there's a good amount of experience in the pool, especially in the forwards, and fitness nor physicality were an issue. But the team performance didn't gel but they didn’t gel.

“The skills issues are across the board,” Steinberg said. “And it is really focused on us playing a faster game. There needs to be a rethink about how to create a more dynamic game in America. We showed that we can play a physical, static game, but when we want to speed it up, we were unable to execute effectively.”

France was able to execute, and that ability evolves when a team enjoys a season of international tests versus yearly tours. To compare, Les Bleus played their eighth and ninth games of the year against the American; the Eagles played in their second and third since August 2011. 

“However I think the staff and players feel that even with those difficulties, we should have played better in the final game,” Steinberg said. “We all learned a lot, and the pressure of playing in the Stade de France on TV was new to most of the players – and I think it affected us in our ability to play. Now we need to use that learning to improve over the next seven months, and we have already started that process.”

The Eagles will hopefully have their chance to avenge their losses on home soil. There are plans to host France in June 2013, before the Nations Cup, so the players who toured have seven months to significantly improve their individual skills and prove they are competitive in a full-time environment.

Referee Mark Richards humbly submits his first column for RUGBYMag.com’s Referee Section.

Mark is a longtime referee from Southern California, and we’re delighted to have him on board.

Referee Mark Richards humbly submits his first column for RUGBYMag.com’s Referee Section.

Mark is a longtime referee from Southern California, and we’re delighted to have him on board.

The last 24 hours or so I have fielded a few comments from rugby observers saying the USA Men’s National Team win over Romania was no big thing – Romania is terrible, they said, and Russia even worse; beating them is no achievement.

The November, 2012 issue of RUGBY Magazine digital is the 2012 Awards Issue!

Premier Members can find out who won all of our awards!

If you're not a Premier Member, you will very (very) soon be able to purchase individual magazines through PixelMags.

Check out the magazine for your computer, laptop, tablet or other device here:

Click here to read the November 2012 issue of RUGBY Magazine!

The November, 2012 issue of RUGBY Magazine digital is the 2012 Awards Issue!

Premier Members can find out who won all of our awards!

If you're not a Premier Member, you will very (very) soon be able to purchase individual magazines through PixelMags.

Will the USA Men's National Team adjust tactics when they take on Romania at the Arcul du Triumf stadium in Bucharest Saturday (kickoff 9am ET, 6am PT)?

Could be.

Prop and Hooker: Eric Fry and Shawn Pittman did a terrific job against Russia, and they will need to do the same against Tonga. Scrum hard, get those lineout lifts right, and even more than last game, get to that breakdown quickly.

USA Rugby will announce the final brackets and schedules of the Women’s Collegiate 7s Championship today, but here’s a sneak peak at who’s expected to attend.

Six of the 14 teams slated to show up in College Station, Texas, played in last year’s event: Boston College, California, Norwich, Oregon State, Princeton and Texas. They’re joined by Colorado, Harvard (at-large bid), James Madison, Navy, Northern Iowa, Ohio State, Stanford (at-large bid) and Texas Tech.

Norwich is still the team to watch, even though this fall has seen more 7s tournaments and qualifiers proliferate the country. After winning the DII championship in May, the Cadets were promoted to DI and systematically swept the New England competition. RugbyMag.com has ranked the team #2 behind Penn State.

Several players from last year’s 7s championship team are available this year – Emily Baugus, Joya Clark, MVP Rose Bernheim – but we’re hoping to see freshman Ally Day take the pitch. She proved to be a potent striker and scorer for the Cadets this season, and we want to see this youngster impress the field.

Norwich does well because they have great athletes, and that will take a team far in collegiate 7s. But other traditionally strong 15s teams have integrated 7s more prominently into their fall programs, and hope that will make a bigger difference come game time.

The Southwest, Mason Dixon and Pacific Mountain conferences held at least one other 7s tournament before their respective championships, meaning Texas, Texas Tech, Navy, James Madison, Cal, Oregon State and Stanford are coming in with more than two weeks of 7s practice crammed in before the event.

But that’s a luxury not all teams can indulge. For those that have to complete their 15s season in the fall – Ivy, Big 10, Midwest – they’ve bookended their league play with 7s tournaments. That’s the case for Princeton and Harvard, Ohio State and Northern Iowa. Colorado snuck in a 7s tournament in the middle of their four-game season.

The South doesn’t have a representative, with Virginia-based James Madison being the closest in terms of location. That said, the all-DI field looks to be better prepared and skilled than 2011.

2012 Women's College 7s Championship Teams

Boston College (New England)

California (Pacific Mountain North)

Colorado (Pacific Mountain East)

Harvard (Ivy)

James Madison (Mason Dixon)

Navy (Mason Dixon)

Northern Iowa (Midwest)

Norwich (New England)

Ohio State (Big 10)

Oregon State (Pacific Mountain North)

Princeton (Ivy)

Stanford (Pacific Mountain North)

Texas (Southwest)

Texas Tech (Southwest)

The USA Women’s National Team has touched down in Europe, assembling for their tour of Italy and France. It’s been more than a year since the Eagles have competed in an international test, and a crop of nine athletes is aiming for their first 15s cap.

But just because you go on tour doesn’t mean you will get a cap. There’s still fierce competition for the start, and if one happens to play a position with a lot of depth, there’s no guarantee that she’ll be rotated in.

That’s what happened to Jenny Lui last year during the Nations Cup. Noted for her play as a center for Chicago North Shore and USA 7s Eagle, she heeded suggestions that she transition to scrumhalf. Her home club already had a couple scrumhalves and were short in the centers, so she saw inconsistent time in the halfback position. It didn’t help that Rugby World Cup veteran Kim Magrini and Seattle star Carrie White were also on the Canadian tour, and the two split the four games against England, South Africa and Canada.

“I didn’t see any game time, but it was a really great learning experience,” Lui said. “It showed me that I wasn’t far enough along in my development as a scrumhalf and that I had to play more games there to learn.”

USA performance coach John Coumbe-Lily recommended that Lui play for a club in Canada, a scenario that she considered seriously once her employer, advertising agency EnergyBBDO, publicized a summer position in their Toronto office.

“My company has always been really supportive, so we were able to make it work,” Lui said.

Coumbe-Lily put Lui in touch the Toronto Scottish, a top women's club in Canada. She showed up to practice, kept her aspirations tucked under her hat, and waited for the opportunity to get time at scrumhalf.

“I didn’t think that was appropriate,” Lui said of imposing her intentions on the Canadian club. “I was coming into their space, so I wanted to do my best to fit in. To just put my head down and work hard and do whatever was needed to make the team better. I played wing, center and even flanker – wherever they needed me. And then took my opportunities at scrumhalf when they came. And they did.”

Lui was satisfied both competitively and socially. The Scottish played a fast, dynamic game against some tough, hard-hitting teams. And the club itself was full of fun, passionate people.

“I'm glad that John pointed me toward the Scottish versus any of the other teams in the region,” Lui said. “I made some great friends there and will always consider the Scottish my Canadian club.”

When she returned to North Shore this past season, she was able to bank more time at scrumhalf due to the previous halfbacks’ retirement and relocation. Lui will still have to contend with White and now former wing Ashley Kmiecik for time in the USA #9 jersey, but she’s worked hard to put herself in a better position than last year.

“It was a great experience, and I learned a lot by playing with a different club and getting a fresh perspective,” Lui reflected. “Playing and being around rugby as much as you can is a great way to improve. I've been playing for over 12 years, and I still learn something new every time I step out there.”

It’s just another example of what the Eagles have to “sacrifice” (although most describe their lives as a labor of love). Lui isn’t the only one who’s gone abroad to diversify their rugby experience; this time last year, D.C. Furies’ Laura Miller was playing with Saracens. And all of the Eagles have been promoting the fundraising drive for tour, which costs $25,000 to operate. Hopefully it all pays off, as the USA plays Italy (Nov. 18) and France twice (Nov 21, 24).

Karen Fong discusses issues around paying for college. 

Karen Fong discusses issues around paying for college. 

RUGBYMag.com is proud to offer a new feature.

We are partnering with Rugby Coach Weekly magazine to give you a regular look into some coaching tips and ideas.

What happened with Taku Ngwenya? Did his visa allowing him to enter the United Kingdom expire because he was lax, USA Rugby was lax, or some other factor?

The great thing about the Women’s DII Club Championship is that the field changes every year. Alongside the Pittsburgh, Ft. Miami and Albuquerque are five teams with very little if any experience at nationals. Severn River, Norfolk, Las Vegas, Beantown II and Portland are all bring a brand of unknown to the competition in 2012.

Of all the newcomers, Portland is the least well known. The Pacific Coast champion is only four years old, and 2012 marks their first year with a coach.

“I changed their style of play, but the talent was there. They just needed some direction,” Portland coach Justin Burgin said. “The Pacific Northwest teams play a forward style due to the [wet] weather. We converted to a speed game, got lucky with some dry weather, and were able to get around the edges and score a lot of points.”

Portland does have a smaller pack, but they hold their own in the scrum, thanks to some excellent hooking tactics. In the Pac Coast championship, Portland took on the Sacramento Amazons, who had represented the region last year. The Zons are renowned for their size, but after a season of bringing down the PNW teams, Sacramento posed little problem. Portland won 50-15.

Leading the charge is captain Elizabeth Hankins, one of the most experienced players on the team, and her guidance from No. 8 is invaluable. Former Seattle Breaker Heidi Whitman also brings a wealth of experience, and her speed is put to good use at fullback.

But being as young as they are, 2012 isn’t only the first time they’ve competed at nationals but it’s also the first time that any of the players have competed during the post-season. No one has played on representative teams either, so this trip to Florida will be extremely eye-opening, but hopefully not distracting.

“The whole year we’ve been talking about believing in our ability and style of play,” Burgin said. “It started to come on later in the year – especially against the Amazons – relying on speed, kicking for field position. And they’ve realized they can play rugby at the top level.”

Additionally, the 25 players have upped their fitness, so even if they have no idea what three games in three days feels like, they’ve best prepared their bodies for the onslaught. And it all begins against host Ft. Miami, who are making their fourth nationals appearance in five years.

“We’ve seen video of Ft. Miami. They’re outside center strikes well and they have good loose forwards,” Burgin said. “They’re much larger than us, but we’ve dealt with that all year, and we’re prepared. We’re hitting our stride, playing well, and have the talent to bring back the DII title.”

If Ft. Miami wins their quarterfinal against Ft. Miami, they will play the winner of Pittsburgh v Norfolk. Stay tuned.

The first match of the 2012 women’s club championship will occur between New York and the D.C. Furies. Both teams are competing in the second tier of the Women’s Premier League championship, having both finished with 1-5 records during the regular season.

D.C. got off to a great start, defeating Keystone 82-12 and raising some eyebrows. Was this going to be the season that the Furies realized all of their hard work and surprised the traditionally stronger teams?

Unfortunately, no.

“I don’t think we had a consistent story this season,” D.C. coach Nancy Fitz said. “We did start off with a big win but weren’t able to capitalize on that or build momentum. Due to injuries or players not being available, we had a different lineup every game. In some ways that is good because it builds depth, but it was difficult to build on our experiences from week to week.”

D.C. found consistency is veterans like prop Jocelyn Richards, lock Darcy Miller, flanker Julie Lau, captain Katie Bell (center/flyhalf/scrumhalf) and fullback Emily Miller.

“They have been at everything all season and have helped anchor the team,” Fitz said. “They also happen to be at the top of my list of players who have improved the most over the past four WPL seasons, largely due to their hard work off the pitch as well as their dedication to the team.”

And don’t forget Eagle lock/loose forward  Laura Miller, who is tough in contact on either side of the ball, and look out for rookies Ellen Danford (flanker/hooker), Jaime Alberrelli (loose forward) and Hunter Griendling (wing/fullback) to make an impression in Florida.

D.C. will have everyone reassembled for the first time since week one, and so they’re hoping to peak against New York, which has also had its share of setbacks.

Despite their upset win against the reigning DI champs (25-5 over Berkeley), New York has come up short this season. They’ve struggled with numbers and depth and had their fair share of injuries. Eagle lock Rosie Meisner took some time off in the middle of the season due to injury, and it’ll be interesting to see if the Women’s National Team medical staff encourages her to play this weekend, days before the Eagel tour to Europe.

But it's Rebecca Brafman's injury that affects the team most. The Eagle prop has been one of the most consistent voices and performers on New York for the last few seasons, and her absence will be felt both in the pack and the huddle.

Even though New York has had their struggles this season, they always have the potential for a good showing. They have the ability to turn around scrums, or send speedsters like Angela Yue (lead try scorer) or fullback Kath Ryan down the sideline. A great addition in flyhalf Mary McCarthy also gives the backline some lift, and she has an excellent boot that can slot points from all over the field.

We’re picking New York in this match, but expect day two to be a rough one for the orange-and-blue. In fact, had New York and D.C. played on Sunday, after an 80-minute match on Friday, one would be tempted to lean the Furies’ way.

“We have a lot of respect for them and look forward to a clean, hard match – as always,” Fitz said.

The winner will play the victor of San Diego v Keystone for 5^th place overall.

In the wake of a story published in The Independent in the UK, the International Rugby Board today released a statement reiterating its commitment to making sure players are released by their clubs for international duty as per their Regulation 9.

In the statement, the IRB said: “Player release is central to the integrity and economic sustainability of the international Game and the IRB continues to be proactively committed to assisting Unions with player release issues when requested by them to do so under Regulation 9.

The Regulation is designed to deliver a fair, equitable and proportionate framework for facilitating the release of the world's best players for international duty within designated windows without impediment irrespective of country of employment. This Regulation goes to the very core of supporting the integrity of the international Game.

The IRB takes any breach of the Regulation very seriously and acts on release issues where it is formally requested to do so by a Union or if it is presented with credible evidence provided by a Union or recognised Rugby body that would allow it to pursue its own enquiry. In respect of the former, the IRB has collaborated with Unions over a long period to successfully facilitate the release of players for international duty and will continue to do so.

Unions also have a clear obligation to do everything possible to uphold the Regulation within their territory or they risk significant sanctions.

The IRB is currently monitoring player release issues during the November 2012 window and the matter will be the subject of discussion at the IRB November 2012 meetings in Dublin.”

This is all in response to The Independent’s story saying the 2015 World Cup is vulnerable to some players, especially from Tier II nations, being held back for their clubs by a combination of special contract clauses, coercion, and financial incentives.

Former USA Head Coach Eddie O’Sullivan was quoted in the article – an old quote referring to Samu Manoa missing the 2011 World Cup due to his Northampton Saints contract.

O’Sullivan was understandably unhappy with Manoa not being available, but in that instance it wasn’t a case of Northampton preventing Manoa from playing – it was that Manoa had a significant financial incentive to stay with his new club just as he was starting out.

Asked about this article, USA Rugby CEO Nigel Melville told RUGBYMag.com that “we have not seen [Manoa’s] contract and there is no way Northampton would breach Reg 9 in their contracts - the penalties are significant. The pressure comes when the club puts pressure on the player; this is where Regulation 9 becomes hard to implement.”

Sometimes clubs get around all the player release issue by persuading a player to retire from international rugby, which, said Melville, “is not something we want.” 

In the end, because the professional rugby season is so long, and has to be because clubs don’t make massive profits on games and therefore need to play 40 or more games to make it all pay, clubs often have to play during international windows.

But then they see some of their best players unavailable because their national team has called that player up. So they look for ways to keep players in their club jerseys. (See here)

“In short, Reg 9 isn't working for everyone, usually Tier II [nations],” said Melville.”

What might help with this issue is the development of a player’s association with some real teeth – one that has a platform covering how many games should be players over a 12-month period, and how long down time should be. There are moves in the USA for a player’s association, but that won’t address the international question.

“The IRB needs to take the lead on bringing unions, clubs, player associations together to work together a new more workable arrangement,” said Melville.

The women’s club championships are just days away and taking center stage will be the Women’s Premier League. The action gets started right off the bat, as cup and bowl brackets begin with the semifinals. One of the most highly anticipated matches will occur in the middle of the day Friday, when a rematch of last year’s final between Berkeley and Twin Cities takes place.

Twin Cities waltzed through the Blue Conference unscathed, finishing 6-0 and outscoring opponents 392-52. Their only true competition resided in Beantown, and during the teams’ second game in Massachusetts, the Amazons were hit hard with injuries. Both inside center Sylvia Braaten and back-three Dez Markovich went down with season-ending injuries, leaving two big holes in the backline. The pair were the third and fourth highest scoring players on the roster, with Braaten dotting down eight tries and Markovich touching down three and 15 conversions.

“We can’t replace what we lost when Sylvia and Dez went down,” Twin Cities coach Roger Bruggemeyer lamented. “They are both very talented, experienced backs. Unlike our earlier injuries to [flanker and 2011 WPL MVP] Amanda Kingzett and Anna Brown, where we had a number of games to work in other players, we had little time to deal with the backline injuries.”

The Amazons used their final game against the DC Furies to introduce some younger players into the vacated positions, with Carla Schneider getting her first start at fullback and Katie Johnson moving to inside center.

“They will need to adapt under fire,” Bruggemeyer said. “As always, when dealing with younger players, it is best to keep it simple. It was a good thing that these players gained some needed experience playing D2 this fall.”

It’s also fortunate that Twin Cities’ D2 team forfeited their berth to Midwest championships. Even though they had defeated Wisconsin in the first round, the staff decided to play it safe for numbers' sake, and it paid off.

Even though the Amazons will be vulnerable in the backs, Berkeley has not been consistent all season either. The All Blues finished 4-2, dropping a surprise 25-5 game to New York on the road and losing their league-closer 17-14 to Glendale at home. San Diego pushed Berkeley as well, although the All Blues won 20-17 and 17-7.

“I think it speaks to the level of competition improving,” Berkeley coach Kathy Flores reflected on the season. “I feel the league will only continue to get better – if it’s allowed to survive in its present format – although I would love for it to actually start in August so there were at least two weeks between games to allow for recovery both physically and monetarily.

“We have had a huge turnover in our backs due to being selected for USA 7s,” Flores continued, “and it’s been a work in progress to basically put together a new line, but it’s been coming together.”

Having Vix Folayan on the field would make a huge difference. She’s one of the fastest, most dangerous ballcarriers playing today, but she was only able to take the field twice this season for Berkeley. Same with center Lucy Croy. And no Nathalie Marchino. Lots of question marks as to who will show up game day, but Flores indicated that only flanker Alex Boskovich, who was recently concussed, will be unavailable.

With all that said, both teams will have good backlines. The Amazons will revolve around WPL leading point scorer Lynelle Kugler and the expert leadership of flyhalf Rebecca Radtke, while Berkeley has Ruth Bryson organizing at 10 and strikers like Jill Whitfield and speedy Alyssa Baccarella out wide.

But expect the forwards to lay the groundwork for points. Behind Twin Cities’ Stacey Bridges and Berkeley’s Phoebe Boone, both sides have impressive packs.

“We know it’s going to be a hard, physical match regardless of the outcome,” Flores said. “The Amazons have big, fit forwards who like to run, and a backline that runs hard at space. The great thing about the league is we all have access to video of each other’s games, so I’m sure we have both been aware of how our respective teams are doing in their region and intend to come out as hard as possible.”

“The championship game just reinforced what we already knew about Berkeley,” Bruggemeyer reflected on 2011. “They have a strong defense, are very aggressive at the contact point and have the ability to capitalize on mistakes, which goes along with a potent attack. It is Nationals and every game is played like it is your last, so we are expecting a very similar game.”

The winner will play the victor of Glendale v Beantown on Sunday.

Reviewing the results from the international 7s tournament in China, one might suspect that the USA Women 7s team would have found better competition internally. But coach Ric Suggitt and squad were grateful for the opportunity to play, and the event played an important role in reintegrating the team back into international play and accustoming the Americans to a well run tournament.

“Remember, China beat us 10-0 three years ago in Las Vegas,” Eagle 7s coach Ric Suggitt tipped his hat to opponents. “We turned the tables around and bested them by 30 points, but we’ve both improved. And South Africa – they gave us a tough game. They’re big, move the ball well, and can run from anywhere. Once they start identifying some real rugby players, they’ll be a contender.”

Fitness, team speed and overall skill level elevated the USA above their competition. The Eagles averaged more than 41 points per game, but that statistic was inflated by the fact that several opponents are still in their development stages.

“It’s funny how history has a way of repeating itself,” Suggitt said. “Where we’re at now is no different than the men’s circuit in 2000. Before the IRB series’ games, the top teams were winning by 50, 60 points, and that’s where we were against teams like Singapore and Thailand.”

With the mix of competition, the event eased the squad back into the international scene, in particular, for Lauren Doyle, who was the only uncapped player on board.

“Lauren did well,” Suggitt affirmed. “We first saw her at a camp in Santa Barbara a couple of years ago, so she’s been on the radar for a while, although she was younger then. She’s always been fast, but now she’s a good size. She’s also very determined, which I really like. She works hard and this seems like something she wants to do. We will take a good look at her for Dubai.”

That’s about as far as Suggitt would venture in hinting toward the squad for the upcoming 7s tour to Dubai, the first leg of the first-ever IRB Women’s Sevens World Series (WSWS). Vix Folayan, Emilie Bydwell and Bex Siebach were the other three non-contracted players who traveled to China, while Kaelene Lundstrum and Vanesha McGee remained in the US. Folayan brings speed; Bydwell brings size; and Siebach is still trying to work her way into a regular position in the pool.

“One reason Bex hasn’t been with us is because she’s been completing her schoolwork,” Suggitt explained why Siebach hadn’t traveled in awhile. “She’s fast and has a great attitude, but there are a few fundamentals we have to work on with her. Then we’ll take a better look. If she immerses herself into the program, there could be an opportunity down the road, but we’re not sure yet.”

What is it that Suggitt’s looking for? The coach indicated that he would like to extend two to five more professional contracts – depending on funding and budget – by January 3, ideally. Suggitt has talked to three candidates thus far, but nothing is final just yet. And that’s where a spot on the Dubai squad could become very advantageous. Kimber Rozier and Lundstrum are attending the WNT 15s’ tour to Europe next week, and so that will open up another two spots for non-contracted players.

That said, the USA have quite the test ahead of them. As wonderful, and foreign, as the China experience was – red carpets, police escorts, filled stadiums – it will be a different world when comparing the competition in Dubai.

“We’ll definitely see a change in Dubai,” Suggitt said. “It’ll be a real eye-popper to see where the Black Ferns are, how the Canucks have come along, what England’s been doing. It’ll be interesting to see what all of the six core teams have done. And then the next eight teams could be core teams, too. Spain, South Africa – they’re good, athletic teams.”

The WSWS is an exciting evolution in women’s 7s and reassures supporters that the IRB is serious about improving the game as it builds toward the Olympics. The USA is on the same track, and the Dubai tournament will help decide who’s going to join the Eagles in Chula Vista in preparation for the World Cup and as a base for their Olympic run.

Coaches are Gods

Can you pick the starting lineup for the USA?

Usually it’s pretty tough. Usually there are several major question-marks concerning who will play a particular position.