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Three US Eagles standouts have been named in the official HSBC Dream Team for the 2018-19 World Sevens Series. Stephen Tomasin, Ben Pinkelman, and Folau Niua have been recognized for their form over the course of the season with selection to the overall circuit’s select side.
It’s been a breakthrough year for Tomasin in particular, who has largely flown under the radar in the star-studded Eagles side. Now the established starting hooker in the side, his work rate on both sides of the ball saw him win individual tournament selections in Sydney, Las Vegas, Vancouver, and London.
Vice-captain Pinkelman continued his high standards this season as an aerial specialist for the Eagles. He was consistently in the frame for selection though he claimed only two tournament selections – Hamilton and Las Vegas.
Niua is something of a surprise selection. Despite being one of the circuit’s best playmakers for several seasons, he earned his first and only individual Dream Team nomination in Hamilton earlier this year. The 34-year-old was unable to attend Sunday’s awards ceremony after undergoing surgery on a broken leg he suffered on the opening day of the Paris tournament.
Only two teams are represented in this season’s Dream Team with the four other members from series champions Fiji. Meli Derenalagi joined Tomasin and Pinkelman in the forwards, with playmaker Jerry Tuwai, center Vilimoni Botitu, and winger Aminiasi Tuimaba the other backs.
Among those who could be considered unlucky are Eagles captain Madison Hughes and winger Carlin Isles. Hughes won Dream Team honors in three tournaments and was the second-leading scorer on the season, while Isles led the circuit in tries and also grabbed three tournament selections.
