Hughes set for 50th Sevens Series tourney in Hamilton

Madison Hughes is set to play in his 50th World Sevens Series tournament when the circuit resumes in Hamilton next weekend. The Men’s Eagles captain headlines coach Mike Friday’s squad for the first stop of the Oceania leg that kicks off in New Zealand on January 25 local, January 24 in the USA.

Friday has made three changes to the squad that finished 9th in Cape Town. Ben Pinkelman and Martin Iosefo make their first appearances of the season after being rested following their participation in the 15-a-side World Cup. Marcus Tupuola is named as the 13th man.

Dropping out of the senior squad are Harley Wheeler, Maceo Brown, and Joe Schroeder. Wheeler has returned to Rugby ATL for the Major League Rugby season while Brown and Schroeder are part of the USA Falcons squad currently in Fiji.

The Eagles have been drawn in Pool X for Hamilton and will face Scotland, New Zealand, and Wales on Day One. All matches will be streamed on NBC Sports Gold. A full tournament schedule can be seen here.

USA MEN’S EAGLES
Perry Baker, Danny Barrett, Ben Broselle, Naima Fuala’au, Madison Hughes (capt.), Martin Iosefo, Carlin Isles, Matai Leuta, Ben Pinkelman, Stephen Tomasin, Marcus Tupuola, Maka Unufe, Kevon Williams