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Champions will be decided this weekend when the Premier Rugby Sevens wraps up their 2022 series at Q2 Stadium in Austin on Saturday. Four teams in each of the men’s and women’s divisions will be competing in single-elimination fashion to determine both divisional winners and the ‘united’ championship. Through two events it’s the Experts who enter as the best overall side.
Experts also top the men’s bracket. Mattie Tago captains the side with Utah Warriors star Mikey Te’o and fellow USA international Anthony Welmers among their top players. Devin Short leads the Headliners, a side that features several Major League Rugby standouts like Moni Tonga’uiha and Lance Williams. D’Montae Noble, Eric Naposki, and Keni Nasoqeqe are on the Loonies roster, with the Loggerheads boasting Eagles stars Martin Iosefo and Matai Leuta.
It’s the Loggerheads who enter as the team to beat in the women’s bracket. Former Netherlands captain Pleuni Klievit leads the team with Eagles select Sui A’u also present. Abby Gustaitis and Nicole Strasko are formidable figures with the Headliners, Jade McGrath skippers the Experts, and Canadian international Julia Folk is a central figure on the Loonies.
The tournament begins at 5pm local time, 3pm Pacific, 6pm Eastern. A live stream is available on Fubo Sports. The finals are scheduled to begin at 7pm Pacific, 9pm Central, 10pm Eastern.
EXPERTS (MEN)
Jesse Capriotti, Watson Filikitonga, Rob Johns, Corey Jones, Tai Kauwe, Joe Mano, Terran Meek, Niko Spino, Mattie Tago (capt.), Mikey Te’o, Nolan Tuamoheloa, Anthony Welmers. Coaches: JK Anderson / Emil Walton.
EXPERTS (WOMEN)
Susan Adegoke, Amanda Berta, Spencer Boldt, Lauryn Bons, Caring de Freitas, Morgan Freeman, Evan Hoese, Camille Johnson, Nikki Kenyon, Jade McGrath (capt.), Soneva Scott, KB Slaughter. Coaches: Irene Gardner / Rosalind Chou.
HEADLINERS (MEN)
Dom Bailey, Tommy Clark, Ross Depperschmidt, Tai Enosa, Kenneth Jinkins, Brady Rush, Ishmail Shabazz, Lucas Scheck, Devin Short (capt.), Peter Tiberio, Moni Tonga’uiha, Lance Williams. Coaches: Andrew Locke / Lauren Barber.
HEADLINERS (WOMEN)
Dajian Brown, Monique Coffey, Emma Farnan, Abby Gustaitis, Laura Hurff, Grace Kukutai (capt.), Dana Meschisi, Kira Peary, AnnaKaren Pedraza, Alexis Pusch, Jenn Salomon, Nicole Strasko. Coaches: Tim Stanfill / Peter Tiberio.
LOGGERHEADS (MEN)
Derek Adams, Owen Brombal, Jake Cassidy, Christiaan du Toit, Brock Gallagher, Dom Iacovino, Martin Iosefo, Royaal Jones, Matai Leuta, Patrick Madden (capt.), Jeremiah Munoz, Timon Vijn. Coaches: Waisale Serevi / Tiffany Fa’ae’e.
LOGGERHEADS (WOMEN)
Sui A’au, Natalie Bjorklund, Autumn Czaplicki, Pleuni Kievit (capt.), Matilda Kocaj, Jessica Lu, Alycia Namosimalua, Angie Olukunmi, Leila Opeti, Isabel Ozorio, Sophia Pryz, Liz Tafuna. Coaches: Katie Dowty / Andre Snyman.
LOONES (MEN)
Monate Akuei, Jared Douglas, Gio Douyon, Matt Drzewiecki, Kahanu Koi (capt.), Eric Naposki, Keni Nasoqeqe, D’Montae Noble, Cristian Rodriguez, Kal Sager, James Vaifale, David Verberg. Coaches: Sean White / Nese Malifa.
LOONIES (WOMEN)
Sofia Brussoni, Julia Folk (capt.), Isabela González, Madison Hovren, Amanda Hull, Kira Katan, Carissa Norsten, Temi Ogunjimi, Denise Roy, Shoshanah Seumanutafa, Sativa Tarau-Peehikuru, Taejah Thompson. Coaches: Kelly Griffin / Robin MacDowell.
