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Cape Town - Earlier this year at the London Sevens the USA fired off a warning shot to their opponents in the World Rugby Sevens Series with their first-ever tournament win.
Heads turned, people took notice and many wondered whether they had just witnessed a new superpower come to fruition on the rugby sevens circuit.
Having finished third at the opening round of the 2015-16 series in Dubai last weekend, it’s safe to say that the warning shot back in London was no blank.
Two wins over New Zealand as well as a Cup quarter-final win over South Africa, combined with narrow losses to France and England, the Americans showed their potential as a sevens unit.
The USA are here to make an impact and under the tutelage of head coach Mike Friday and his management team.
There is a lot of expectation already on the Eagles to perform this weekend at the inaugural Cape Town Sevens.
In the driving seat of the juggernaut is captain Madison Hughes, who is excited to see USA hitting new heights.
“I think London earlier in the year was awesome for us,” he told World Rugby’s official website. “We had the whole team clicking and I think at times in Dubai we hit similar notes as we beat New Zealand twice and knocked off South Africa in the quarter- final.
"Those were really good wins for us and we were really excited about that. There were a couple of key areas where we weren’t quite where we wanted to be and those cost us against England and France so we are looking to improve on those and continue the momentum into Cape Town.”
The USA will face Wales, Australia and Portugal in Pool C and Hughes is expecting some some gruelling encounters come Saturday.
“We figure there are going to be some tough tests in our pool with Australia, Wales and Portugal,” said Hughes. “Australia were above us in the standings last year, Wales will give a good match against anyone and I think Portugal had a rough week in Dubai but will be looking to bounce back.”
