Puni Skipps @ LAI 7s final / Photo: Jackie Finlan
The Girls’ High School Elite division at the Los Angeles Invitational (LAI) 7s drew four teams – much smaller than its predecessor in Las Vegas, but no less engaging in terms of the talent that did show. Atlantis, Celtic Barbarians, Rock Rugby Academy and South Bay assembled for the five-round event, and the locals, the Spartans, kept the trophy in Carson, Calif.
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For the LAI 7s, South Bay’s Elite side added two Utahans in United’s Queenette Toomalatai and Wasatch’s Malia Isaacs – who was the only non-senior in the group. The remainder of the roster hails from a class that has propelled the program into national prominence. The team is hard, mobile and skilled, and they have a chemistry that reflects their many years playing together.
Malia Isaacs / Photo: Jackie Finlan
That connectivity showed itself on day two of the LAI 7s. South Bay beat the Celtic Barbarians 36-5 in the semifinals, and Atlantis shut out Rock Rugby Academy 43-0 to advance to the title match.
“We always just try to play our best, especially against Atlantis,” said South Bay flyhalf and Girls High School All-American (GHSAA) Puni Skipps. “We just kind of expect to see them, so we work toward them now.”
Skipps is special. While the senior has played scrumhalf and inside center, she shines at flyhalf. She has a very good dropkick, is the conversion kicker, and expertly puts the ball to space in open play. Her steady if not stoic demeanor is like the eye of the storm. South Bay plays big rugby, and Skipps deploys it, sending crisp passes to a dangerous line and putting punishing forwards through the middle. When the defense anticipates the pass, she’s through, and she has the confidence in the breakaway to work oncoming chasers.
Breakaway try against Celtic Barbarians / Photo: Jackie Finlan
“I just try to stay calm,” Skipps said of her style. “I like to lead by example because I don’t like to talk that much.”
None of this is lost on national age-grade selectors; hence Skipps’ appearances for the GHSAAs. She was invited to the 2019 GHSAA Winter Camp, which included a game against the Canada U18s, but was ill and had to withdraw.
That elite-level experience was influential in the first half of the LAI 7s High School Elite final. South Bay put Siniva Mailo (2) and Amaya Moala away for tries, while holding Atlantis scoreless. Mailo is heading to Lindenwood University in the fall, and Moala is going to Life University.
Mailo en route to a try / Photo: Jackie Finlan
“We definitely built up our chemistry until this point, so it’s easier to play with each other now,” Skipps said. “But we just try to focus on one thing at a time and stay humble.”
Skipps added a breakaway try in the second half and with her conversion afforded South Bay 22 points. Atlantis surged late in the match, and Fallbrook sophomore Tiahna Padilla and La Costa Canyon’s Noelle Inverso scored tries. Alex Wantlin, who heads to Life University in the fall, kicked both conversions, but there wasn’t time for a bigger comeback: 22-14 to South Bay.
“It’s our last year and we’ve been playing together for so long, so we just wanted to come out with the win,” Skipps said of the emotional component to the title. “Also, since [the LAI 7s] is in our backyard now, there’s a higher expectation.”
Those expectations won’t ease as spring 2020 continues, and Skipps’ presence in the middle of the pitch will be crucial.
Amaya Moala / Photo: Jackie Finlan
“We’re going to try and come back and take nationals again, hopefully,” the senior flyhalf said of season goals, “and try to bring our team again to [North American Invitational 7s in Salt Lake City], because we didn’t go last year.”
Regardless of how this season pans out, South Bay will be (and is) present in the next level of play. The team includes eight soon-to-be graduates who are heading to DI Elite rugby programs.
“I don’t know where I’m going yet but it’s either Lindenwood or Central [Washington] for right now,” Skipps said of her collegiate options. As for ultimate goals? “Hopefully I’ll be able to play at the national level one day.”
Bottom row (l-r): Zonaye Tupuola, Queenette Toomalatai, Amaya Moala, Shy Tonumaipea, Siniva Mailo (c). Top: Mercie Vivao, Manaia Moala (c), Ahnea Aupiu (c), Punipuao Skipps,
Malia Isaacs.