USA Sevens coach Al Caravelli has called up several new players to the side's training camp in Chula Vista, California as the countdown begins to final selection for the Hong Kong Sevens.
"Although we have a few new players, the characteristics we are looking for in the squad remain the same," Caravelli said.
"We are still looking for players who are strong on defense, don't miss tackles and will make good decisions in a high pressure game situation."
The 22 players invited to the camp will be narrowed down to 12 by the end of the week before the squad leaves for Hong Kong, and also features several players who will feature in the IRB North America 4 cross-border competition against sides from Canada.
Two notable ommissions from the Sevens squad is Todd Clever and Jone Naqica, both outstanding in San Diego earlier in the series where, after a poor tournament in Wellington, the side sparked to life, beating Kenya before going on to take the Shield title after out-muscling Portugal in the final.
Caravelli is, though, able to recall the likes of Andrew McNaughton, Jason Pye, Riaan Hamilton, Mike Palefau and James Gillenwater, all impressive in San Diego.
The players invited to this assembly include Jarvis Albury (OMBAC), Brian Barnard (OMBAC), James Gillenwater (Vanderbilt/Maryland Exiles), Justin Eilman (OMBAC), Riaan Hamilton (OMBAC), Justin Hundley (Penn State/NYAC), P.J. Komongnan (Washington D.C.), Vili Matanibukaca (Old Puget Sound), Tyson Meek (Nuneaton, UK); Kevin Mongold (Scioto Valley), Andrew McNaughton (Denver Barbarians); Takudzwa Ngwenya (Dallas), Mike Palefau (Narbonne, France), Jason Pye (OMBAC), Marcus Respes (Philly White Marsh), Iopu Sanonu (Belmont Shore), Peter Sio (Belmont Shore), Dallen Stanford (Belmont Shore), Ronnie Tisdale (Stanford University), Derrick Wavomba (Boston Rugby Club), and Chris Wyles (Northampton RFC, UK). This marks this year's first sevens assembly appearance by Eilman, Matanibukaca, Meek, Sanonu, Sio, and Wyles.
The Sevens Team staff set to attend this assembly, which will again be held at the Chula Vista Olympic Training Center, include the head coach Al Caravelli (Ridgefield, Conn.) the team manager Kevin Sinabaldi (Virginia Beach, Va.), physio Bryan Searcy (Chicago, Ill.), video analyst Emilio Signes (Bethlehem, Pa.) and assistant coach Craig Hartley (Dana Point, Calif.)
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Source: www.irbsevens.com
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