MIAMI – Following a week of training in Sunrise, Fla., the U.S. Men’s Sevens National Team Coach Al Caravelli named the 12 players headed to the NAWIRA [North America West Indies Rugby Association] Sevens Rugby World Cup Qualifiers in Nassau, Bahamas on November 22.

“This was one of the most physically challenging training assemblies I’ve ever held and I am very proud of how these athletes have performed under some extremely adverse conditions,” Caravelli said. “With very high temperatures and humidity, everything I threw at them was taken in stride. Each one worked so hard. They were all fit, fast and very strong. I was most impressed by our team chemistry and the way they are so supportive of each other. It was very difficult to select the final 12.”

There will be four new sevens caps on this U.S. squad, which marks one of the newest squads Caravelli has ever selected. Within the forwards, the new players include two-time All-American and former Cal captain Rikus Pretorius and two-time All-American Kevin Swiryn.

“Rikus has a take-no-prisoners attitude, with an engine that never stops running,” Caravelli explained, “and Kevin possesses speed, power, ball skills and unique calmness on the field. He can play all seven positions. Excellent attributes for such a young player.”

The forwards are rounded out by James Gillenwater, Mark Bokhoven and vice captain Todd Clever.

“This was Bokhoven’s best camp ever,” Caravelli added. “He was outstanding in the games we played, and was stellar on defense.”

In the back line, the newcomers include Anwar Salaam and Roland and Shalom Suniula. Salaam returns to the sevens scene after a four-year hiatus and played for the University of Auburn, and several prior IRB World Series events.

“Anwar brings us the one, two punch that we are looking for with our finishers,” said Caravelli. “Roland and Shalom are promising players with good skills and they have demonstrated that they are ready for international rugby. They have taken well to the Sevens game and this is an ideal opportunity for them to show their talent and ability on a world stage.”

The rest of the backs include veterans Dallen Stanford, who has been with Caravelli the longest of any player on the current squad, Justin Boyd and Valenese Malifa. In addition, the squad welcomed captain and center Chris Wyles on Sunday after being released from his commitments with the Saracens.
 
“We are very pleased to have Chris with us. He brings so much to the squad and I want to thank Eddie Jones, Peter Horne and the rest of the Saracens for releasing Chris for this very important event,” Caravelli added.

The U.S. Team, which is seeded first and leads Pool A, opens this qualifying tournament on October 25 against Mexico and then Bermuda. At the end of day one, the three pool winners and runners-up will be redrawn into two Cup pools, the top two in each then progressing to the semi finals with the two finalists securing their passage to the RWC Sevens 2009.

“Our goal going into this weekend is to play to our potential and lead with defense,” Caravelli finished.

The U.S. lineup set to compete at the RWC Qualifiers includes:

1. Todd Clever (Xerox Lions)

2. James Gillenwater (Belmont Shore)

3. Rikus Pretorius (University of California, Berkeley)

4. Roland Suniula (Pearl City)

5. Valenese Malifa (Belmont Shore)

6. Chris Wyles (Saracens) - Captain

7. Justin Boyd (Dallas Harlequins)

8. Mark Bokhoven (Denver Barbarians)

9. Kevin Swiryn (St. Mary’s)

10. Dallen Stanford (Belmont Shore)

11. Anwar Salaam (Unattached)

12. Shalom Suniula (Brisbane)


USA Sevens Coaching Staff and Management include:

 Head Coach Al Caravelli

Strength/Conditioning Coach David Williams

Assistant Coach Craig Hartley

Video Coach Emilio Signes

Physiotherapist Kristen Douhan