Mike Lee / KLC fotos for World Rugby
UPDATE: So close … final roster features Kate Zackary instead of Sarah Buonopane.
I’ve been tracking the 7s Eagles’ capped appearances since 2009 (see spreadsheet), and a look at the 2017-18 World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series produces the USA’s core players. Keep in mind the records exclude representative outings – like the Falcons’ series against Australia in Las Vegas this year, even though that team was essentially an Eagle roster instead of a developmental team, akin to the ones that played in Australia and Japan earlier in the year.
Taking into consideration those players who are rehabbing injuries (Stockert, Kosko), here’s my guess for a 12-player roster at the RWC 7s:
1. Jordan Gray
2. Ryan Carlyle
3. Abby Gustaitis
4. Nicole Heavirland (c)
5. Lauren Doyle
6. Alev Kelter
7. Naya Tapper
8. Kristen Thomas
9. Cheta Emba
10. Joanne Fa’avesi
11. Sarah Buonopane
12. Ilona Maher