Changes to USA Men's 7s Player List

The USA Men's 7s program has added several players to its roster after a few shifts in personnel.

With Folau Niua and Carlin Isles both signing with the Glasgow Warriors in Scotland, and with Jack Halalilo and Tai Enosa exiting the program, Head Coach Matt Hawkins had some work to do in filling out the roster of players in residence.

Pila Taufa also has left the program, but was not considered a strong candidate for a full USA spot.

Three 15s Eagles are now involved - Will Holder, Tim Maupin and Adam Siddall.

Two other players capped in 15s but known perhaps more for their 7s accomplishments are Thretton Palamo and Nese Malifa.

Holder, an officer in the United States Army, is part of the World Class Athlete Program, joining Eric Duechle (Air Force), Ben Leatigaga (Army), Andrew Locke (Army), Nu’u Punimata (Army National Guard), and Marcus Satavu (Army).

These changes are all part of Matt Hawkins trying to build depth - good depth - in the team. With his addition of 15s players, and the fact that some 7s players are looking to play more with the 15s Eagles, Hawkins has been in constant contact with 15s Head Coach Mike Tolkin, and both coaches have said the communication is good.

"We've been talking a lot," Tolkin told RUGBYMag.com, conscious of the fact that the USA 7s team plays in Tokyo March 22-23, and the USA 15s team will play their World Cup Qualifier in Uruguay on March 22.

"At this point, Mike and I are working together to make sure he gets what he needs and we get what we need," Hawkins said. "Right now it's on his selections, and when his selections come out that'll sort of depict who I'll have available.

"Obviously a few of the guys are new to the setup, so they’ve got to work their way into the sevens game and the team, but at this point, I think you'll see quite a few of them turning up on the 15s roster and then getting an opportunity to work their way into the sevens team towards the end of our season for [Glasgow] and London."

USA Men's 7s Residency Roster
Player - College - HS in US?
Danny Barrett  - Cal - Yes
Garrett Bender - -- - Yes
Pat Blair - Central Washington - Yes
Eric Duechle - Air Force Academy - Yes
Andrew Durutalo - Tokyo University - No
Nick Edwards  - Sydney University - No
Pono Haitsuka - Oregon State University - Yes
Will Holder  - USMA West Point - Yes
Madison Hughes - Dartmouth - No
Ben Lietegaga - USMA West Point - No
Andrew Locke - USMA West Point - Yes
Nese Malifa - No
Ryan Matyas - Arizona - Yes
Tim Maupin - St. Mary's - Yes
Thretton Palamo - Utah - Yes
Nu'u Punimata - UTEP - No
Marcus Satavu - No
Adam Siddall  - Auckland University - No
Shalom Suniula - No
Michael Teo - Yes
Zack Test - Oregon/Loughborough - Yes
Brett Thompson - Arizona - Yes
Stephen Tomasin - San Diego State - Yes
Chris Turori Palomar JC - Yes
Michael Ziegler - Bowling Green - Yes