For Immediate Release
January 31, 2009

 

 

Caravelli Names Squad Set for New Zealand Sevens

 

BOULDER, Colo. - Following two weeks of intensive training, USA Rugby’s National Sevens Team Head Coach Al Caravelli has released the players he will take with him to the IRB Sevens World Series event in New Zealand on February 6-7, 2009.

 

“It sounds like a cliché, but this was the best camp we have ever had,” Caravelli said. “The last selection game that we played was amazing. The level of intensity and the hits were so intense. We have never experienced that to date. That is the level of effort and intensity we need to bring in everything we do. The competition for spots was extremely competitive and the success these young men will experience in New Zealand will be directly related to not only the 12 who travel, but the entire squad for pushing each other so hard.”

 

The players chosen by Caravelli to represent the USA are Justin Boyd, Paul Emerick, James Gillenwater, Matthew Hawkins, Valenese Malifa, Jone Naqica, Rikus Pretorius, Dallen Stanford, Roland Suniula, Shalom Suniula, Kevin Swiryn and Chris Wyles.

 

The Team departs from Los Angeles today and will travel to Wellington to train for the three days in New Zealand. The USA will face Fiji, Samoa and Cook Islands in Pool D competition on Friday, keeping a close eye on Fiji as the two will later meet in pool play at the Rugby World Cup Sevens in Dubai.

 

Following the event in New Zealand, the USA, along with 15 other international sides, will then travel to San Diego to prepare for the USA Sevens event on February 14-15. The U.S. Team will announce their squad for San Diego, on Wednesday, February 11. Caravelli will have the opportunity in their home tournament to evaluate alternates for his squad, as the ultimate goal is to put the best players out for the World Cup.

 

For more information on the USA Sevens event, please visit www.usasevens.com or for information on the U.S. Team contact Sara John at sjohn@usarugby.org.  For more information on the IRB Sevens World Series, please visit www.irbsevens.com.  

 

USA Men’s Sevens Team

Justin Boyd (Dallas)

Paul Emerick (Overmach Parma)

James Gillenwater (Belmont Shore)
Matthew Hawkins (OMBAC)

Valenese Malifa (Belmonth Shore)

Jone Naqica (Denver Barbarians)

Rikus Pretorius (Unattached)

Dallen Stanford (Belmont Shore)

Roland Suniula (Pearl City)

Shalom Suniula (Brisbane)

Kevin Swiryn (St. Mary’s)

Chris Wyles (Saracens)

 

Alternates:

Zach Pangelinan (OMBAC)

Mark Bokhoven (Denver Barbarians)

Thretton Palamo (Biarritz)

 

 

 

 

 

 

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