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Mathew Scott

Note: the following sentence should be read with caution by those who are faint of heart.
The USA have arrived as the number one-ranked rugby sevens nation in the world.
Yeah, you read that right.

Consider them the oldest overnight sensations in modern sport. It’s taken 38 years to get where they are today but there’s an enormity to what Mike Friday and his charges have done that should not be underestimated.

But there is so much more work to be done, back home in a sporting landscape so dominated by the NFL, the NBA and by Major League Baseball, according to Friday, the Englishman who has been the driving force behind USA’s rise in world rugby sevens.

Friday is quick to stress there has been no magic formula found this season, although results may suggest otherwise.
“As with all teams we have continued to evolve what we do on the pitch both sides of the ball and as always focused on the basics of the game which are fundamental to the success on the circuit,” Friday said. “We have evolved how we do our video and classroom learning together working individually and collectively on our emotional intelligence to ensure that our diversity can be a strength come tournament time.”
The USA come to town with their speedster Perry Baker still recovering from a broken jaw but in their star’s absence the likes of Carline Isles (with 32 tries) and Madison Hughes (198 points) have come into their own. The impressive run of results might have shaken up the Sevens world but Friday has seen up close the work put in on quiet afternoons far from the gaze of the public and a US media still wondering what this team – and this game – is all about.
“There have been no surprises for me amongst the squad as I know how talented and how much potential they have as a group of men and rugby players,” Friday said. “The challenge has and remains consistency and never taking anything for granted.”

Trophy Lift! Your HSBC USA Sevens winners are @USARugby #USA7s pic.twitter.com/ViSFkWfxmW
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) March 4, 2019

There might been some cruel irony ahead, if these Eagles continue to fly high and more popular sports – with their dollars – start circling their emerging talent pool. For decades the struggle has been to convince athletes to go the other way, and take a chance with this upstart game of Sevens.
But these Eagles are still flying under the radar – for the moment at least. Victory in Hong Kong – and in the world series – would change all that, as Friday knows, having played a part in England’s run to a then-record four titles here back in the early 2000s (an achievement split by the staging of the Sevens World Cup here in 2005).
So he’s keeping his feet planted firmly on the ground as ahead, in pool D this weekend, waits England, Wales and Spain.
“We will enjoy and meet every challenge and opportunity we are given as a group and see where it takes us,” Friday said. “It would be fantastic to win the blue riband Hong Kong event but we know how hard that is to do and after 38 years we are still trying to achieve that and will be going all out to try and do this. I know with England how hard it is to win this tournament. So I have many reasons why it would be special this year if USA could win it – but as I say there is a lot to do before that can happen.”


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Hong Kong Sevens

Hong Kong Sevens: USA Eagles soaring as they target an historic first win at blue riband event

The USA Eagles are now regularly keeping with elite company on the Sevens World Series. Photo: AFP

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 03: Folau Niua #7 of the United States scores a try against New Zealand during the USA Sevens Rugby tournament at Sam Boyd Stadium on March 3, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The United States won 24-19. Ethan Miller/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 03: Matai Leuta #4 of the United States avoids a tackle by Kurt Baker #10 of New Zealand during the USA Sevens Rugby tournament at Sam Boyd Stadium on March 3, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The United States won 24-19. Ethan Miller/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 03: Folau Niua #7 of the United States is tackled by Kurt Baker (L) #10 and Sione Molia #12 of New Zealand during the USA Sevens Rugby tournament at Sam Boyd Stadium on March 3, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The United States won 24-19. Ethan Miller/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

Sport

Rugby

HK Sevens


USA currently lead the World Series
They are group with England, Wales and Spain at Hong Kong Stadium



HSBC SVNS Series

Hong Kong Sevens: USA Eagles soaring as they target an historic first win at blue riband event

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;} USA currently lead the World Series They are group with England, Wales and Spain at Hong Kong Stadium

USA currently lead the World Series

They are group with England, Wales and Spain at Hong Kong Stadium