U.S. hopes high before tourney at AT&T Park
Pardon members of the Marin Highlanders’ youth rugby club for failing to successfully mimic the graceful moves demonstrated by Perry Baker during a master class Tuesday morning at Crissy Field.
Even players at the most elite levels of rugby sevens have been having trouble keeping pace with the speedy and elusive wing, one reason the U.S. men’s team has its loftiest-ever prospects for this weekend’s Rugby World Cup Sevens at AT&T Park.
“Our expectations are high, because we know our capabilities. We’ve just got to play our game and not lose focus or get caught up in the hype,” Baker said. “… It definitely gives us an edge having that speed. Other teams have to respect it and figure how to stop it. If they overreact to try to stop our speed, we still have a dynamic talents all over the board.
“It’s hard to balance that out. How do you defend that?”
The United States has never finished better than 13th in the World Cup and has won only two tournaments since the cup-preceding series was established in 1999. But one of those victories was four months ago in Las Vegas, where Baker scored eight tries.
Widely considered one of the best players in the world after leading the series in points (285) and tries scored (57) in 2016-17 and garnering the 2017 World Rugby Men’s Sevens Player of the Year award, Baker needed just three seasons to pass Zack Test atop the United States’ all-time list for tries scored.
“I try not to get caught up in the titles like that,” Baker said. “I know the stats, the trophy that I won and how I’m being recognized, but a lot of players could be considered the best player in the world.
“I just try to stay focused and keep playing, and my teammates do all of the hard work for me.”
Led by tactician Mike Friday, who previously coached England and Kenya, the U.S. is more than just the speed and finishing showcased by Baker and Carlin Isles, who is pacing the series this season with 49 tries scored.
During March’s tournament win in Las Vegas, the United States was propelled by the vision of captain Madison Hughes and the power of Pacifica native Danny Barrett. The team also appeared to be inspired by playing on its home soil.
“We saw it in Las Vegas. Having the stadium packed out with fans who love rugby is phenomenal,” Baker said. “As soon as we won that, people started saying they were excited for the World Cup.
“We’ve kind of based the whole season on building up for the World Cup, and winning in Las Vegas gave us that boost and that confidence.”