SVNS Series Updates – December 2025

USA Men’s 7s Announce 18 Players for Residency Contracts at High Performance Centre in Chula Vista, California

The USA men are preparing for the upcoming 7s season which for them means starting in the SVNS 2 Series in February and hoping they make the top 4 in that series to make it to the SVNS World Championship series of tournaments starting in April. They have a centralized residency program operating out of the High Performance Center based in Chula Vista, California. The Canadian men are starting at the SVNS 3 level and hoping to finish top two in the one off tournament in Dubai in January. A top two finish will mean they’ll be joining USA in the SVNS 2 series and competing for the four open spots in the SVNS World Championship.

It’s a good time to compare the men’s 7s programs in Canada and USA. The USA are going with a centralized training model, Canada abandoned their centralized model in 2024, this article in the Times-Colonist of November 2024 has more details. The USA have three former 7s players as coaches, Zack Test, Nese Malifa and Perry Baker. Canada haven’t appointed a 7s coach full time and have used Pacific Pride head coach, Christiaan Esterhuizen as the interim 7s coach. The USA list 13 support staff for their 2026 campaign, there’s no news from Rugby Canada on what the 2026 men’s 7s program will look like.

It would be a show of confidence if Rugby Canada published a plan for 2026 which includes a list of players, coaches and support staff. Otherwise it looks like they’re hedging their bets on the outcome of the SVNS 3 tournament in Dubai next month before planning ahead.

from USA Rugby

USA Men’s Eagles Sevens Head Coach, Zack Test and staff have confirmed the player pool for the upcoming 2026 season. Contracted players will receive residency status at the USA Rugby High Performance Center based in Chula Vista, California and will be eligible for selection for the upcoming SVNS 2 Series and SVNS World Championships.

Of the 18-man squad, USA Rugby extended contracts to fifteen returning players with three new faces joining the residency set up. Tucker Trickey looks for his debut on the senior side having represented the USA in 2023 at RugbyTown 7s as well as the PanAm Games. Lucas Pattinson who graduated from Army West Point last year clinched his appointment through the USA Rugby High Performance Pathways when he first earned an invite to the 2019 Men’s U18s camp. Ryan Santos also makes the move to Chula Vista after tournament appearances in the previous season but trained remotely due to college and club commitments overseas attending Cambridge University.

With former Eagle experience at the helm, Head Coach Zack Test and Assistant Coach Valenese Malifia supported by Perry Baker and Pat Blair have revitalized the team culture and playing style as they build for the upcoming season and into LA 2028.

Optimistic about the shape the team has already adopted over the extended pre-season, Test commented:

“We’re focused on performing in a way that stays true to our values and is reflected through our daily actions. With everything we do, how we train, how we prepare, and how we compete, it must align with the standards that define who we are as a program. If we commit to that process wholeheartedly, we put ourselves on the path to becoming the best version of this team. A successful 2026 season is one where our performance consistently reflects that identity. When we uphold our values under pressure, respond to adversity with resilience, and execute with intent, the results will follow. Achieving that level of performance will position us to accomplish our ultimate objective: earning our return to SVNS 1.”

“The biggest focus of our pre-season has been reinforcing the foundation of who we are as a program. We’ve invested heavily in defining our identity, heightening our standards, and ensuring that every player understands the principles, habits, and expectations that drive our success. The priority has been building consistency: how we train, how we communicate, and how we compete so that our foundation remains strong throughout the entire year.”

“We’re excited about our 9/10 combinations this season. With the firepower and X-factor of Pita Vi and Porter Goodrum, paired with the experience and composure of Steve Tomasin and Will Chevalier, we have a dynamic group capable of dictating the game through not only their tactical awareness and skillset, but also their invaluable experience and natural talent. This year, we’re looking for our forward pack to take a significant step forward and reestablish their dominance on the world stage; whether in set piece, kickoffs, or open-play physicality. We have exceptional combinations across the roster, giving us the versatility to adapt our style of play to any opponent.

Players selected for the residency pool will receive season long contracts ensuring they have consistent support and the required systems set to train and prepare for success across the upcoming SVNS campaigns. Player compensation is based on a banded system based on tenure and ensures squad members are adequately resourced to represent their country across international competitions.

With the official start of SVNS 2 kicking off February 14th, the team will travel to Fiji mid January for a warm up tournament at Coral Coast Sevens. The travelling squad will compete in matches across a three-day period to refine their set piece, attacking shape and defensive structure against the Flying Fijians.