Written by Alex Goff    Saturday, 11 August 2012 12:40    PDF Print Write e-mail
Falcons, Not Eagles, in Action Saturday
Sevens - USA Sevens Men


They're not the Eagles, but the USA Falcons 7s team is as close as. 

USA Men's 7s Head Coach Alex Magleby has put together a squad that has only two uncapped players - Jack Halalilo and Carlyn Isles - and one other who hasn't been capped in 7s - Luke Hume.

But that doesn't mean he has settled on his team as the Falcons get set for the Serevi RugbyTown 7s in Glendale.

"This is one of the first steps toward the World Cup Qualifiers," said the former USA 7s team captain. "It's a tough tournament, with Samurai and Serevi and the All Americans plus some very strong club teams. And with five games in one day it will be a challenge. But we've had a good week of training and because of the extra players we had in there we were able to train with two sides, which was really valuable."

Magleby said he has been working closely with the other teams involved in order to see players with USA potential. That's why Denver Barbarians Kyle Hitt is playing for Glendale, and why Life Running Eagle and Maryland Exile Alfred Qaranivalu is playing for Chicago. Zach Pangelinan, Taylor Howden, and Duncan Kelm have joined Tiger Rugby for the same reason.

"We will have a lot of players to look at and assess, and that's certainly part of it. We're looking at players who can help us at the Qualifiers and in the IRB Series. And we get to do it under competition, so I am looking forward to it."

The Falcons are led by Shalom Suniula and Zack Test, with USA regulars Colin Hawley, Mike Palefau, and Peter Tiberio, as well as Rocco Mauer, Tai Enosa, Taylor Mokate, and Maka Unufe in the mix.

But watch out for Hume, who is very experienced and has the ability to take charge of a game.