Eagles 7's Learn Gold Coast Draw

The U.S.A. 7's team has learned their opponents for the Gold Coast 7's. The team will take on defending championship New Zealand, Kenya, and Tonga in Pool A. Like any pool now on the IRB Sevens Series this draw comes with plenty of challenges as well as opportunities. The All Black 7's will be extremely tough as always but the U.S. could easily pick up wins against Kenya and Tonga. The Kenyans were the surprise team last year but they also wildly fluctuated in form. The loss of head coach Mike Friday will hurt but if Paul Treu is in fact the new head coach, that isn't a bad replacement. Tonga will have solid players as always but the U.S. has had the upper hand in that series for a long time.

Take the jump to read more and see the pools.
Getting in the Cup quarterfinals at the first tournament is something the team has been stressing. In speaking with head coach Matt Hawkins and star Zack Test it was clear that the team did not want to have their backs against the wall like last year and that getting out to a good start in the first tournament of the year was important. Unlike previous years the U.S. will have the opportunity to warm up for the tournament by playing in the Coral Coast 7's the week prior in Fiji.

Canada have been drawn into Pool C alongside Fiji, Wales, and Portugal. Like the U.S., Canada's pool offers difficult matches but is also a pool in which they can advance. Canada is capable of beating any of those teams but could also easily find themselves winless in pool play.

Pool B has South Africa, England, France, and Spain while Pool D will see Samoa, Australia, Argentina, and Scotland square off.

Pool A: New Zealand, Kenya, U.S., Tonga

Pool B: South Africa, England, France, Spain

Pool C: Fiji, Wales, Canada, Portugal

Pool D: Samoa, Australia, Argentina, Scotland

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What do you think of the draw? Can the U.S. advance to the Cup quarterfinals?