At the halfway mark of the season, the national picture is starting to settle in and this week's rankings are a little more in-depth. A pair of fantastic men's open tournaments has allowed us to evaluate six of the eight regions against each other, and there have been plenty of pleasant surprises along the way.
Perhaps the biggest surprise is the reemergence of a strong Pacific North competition. In the last 3 years, the second seed from the Pacific North hasn't done much to impress at Nationals, and a low 3-year score ultimately cost the region its guaranteed second berth. Last weekend's Western Open, however, showed that the region is back on track to being strong again, and we'd be surprised if the region didn't reclaim its second seed in 2019.
Perhaps the biggest surprise is the reemergence of a strong Pacific North competition. In the last 3 years, the second seed from the Pacific North hasn't done much to impress at Nationals, and a low 3-year score ultimately cost the region its guaranteed second berth. Last weekend's Western Open, however, showed that the region is back on track to being strong again, and we'd be surprised if the region didn't reclaim its second seed in 2019.
 | 1. Washington Athletic (Seattle, Washington) Previous Ranking: 1 Current Standing: N/A (Pacific Northwest qualifiers haven't started) WAC's form should be evident soon, as the same corps of players who previously played for the Seattle Saracens/Seattle-OPSB are released from the Seattle Seawolves to once again put on a jersey for the Pacific Northwest. They haven't played a qualifier yet, but a strong bronze medal showing in 2017 and a roster loaded with the likes of Palefau, Tiberio, Rasileka, Schirmer, Burke-Combs, Suniula, Turner, and Swiryn (among others) is not one to overlook, |
 | 2. Bulldog Rugby (Vail, Colorado; Previously: Hartford, Connecticut) Previous Ranking: 2 Current Standing: Frontier #1 Bulldog started the season around #4 after a sixth-place showing in 2017. The move west to the Frontier region has been a positive one for the club, as they took down the perennial powerhouse Denver Barbarians in the opening tournament of the Frontier 7s Series. Headed by All-American coach Steve Lewis, and captained by Eagle Tim Stanfill, the Bulldog roster is loaded with high-level college players spending their summer training at altitude. A July 14 test at the Heartland 7s in Kansas City should show just how strong this team is. |
 | 3. Belmont Shore Rugby (Long Beach, California) *QUALIFIED FOR NATIONALS* Previous Ranking: 3 Current Standing: Pacific South #1; Western Open Champions We were extremely tempted to move Belmont Shore up to #2 after its Western Open championship, but the boys from Long Beach stay at #3 for now. Coached by the legendary Peter Sio, Belmont has looked dominant throughout the early part of the summer, and will be difficult for teams to stop. Riding a strong showing as the PRP Champions and XVs Division I National Runner-Up, Belmont is hoping it's the early 2000s all over again - when they were practically unstoppable in both forms of the game. |
 | 4. Old Blue of New York (New York, New York) Previous Ranking: 4 Current Standing: Northeast #1 Old Blue has yet to hit a speedbump this year, winning both the Newport and Danbury 7s tournaments in the always-competitive Northeast 7s Series. It would have been nice to see a Northeast team at the Eastern Open so the region could be compared against others, but we'll continue to assume its as strong as ever until shown otherwise. With New York City set as the location for Nationals, Old Blue is surely looking to gear up for a deep run in front of its home supporters. |
 | 5. Dallas Rugby (Dallas, Texas) *QUALIFIED FOR NATIONALS* Previous Ranking: 5 Current Standing: Red River #1; Eastern Open Champions Some people thought we were crazy for pushing the 'Reds' this high in the rankings early in the season, but it appears 7s casuals have been sleeping on Dallas for too long. The 2017 Bowl Champions were arguably the 6th- or 7th-best team at the 2017 tournament, catching an unlucky break by playing in what was retrospectively the 'pool of death' (teams finishing in 3rd, 5th, 9th, and 10th). The Chris Howard-led program was dominant in its opening qualifier (beating its own reserve team in the final) and had no trouble putting away opponents at the 2018 Eastern Open either. Dmontae Noble, Chad Joseph, and Jake Campey lead a roster full of over-looked studs who should definitely be getting a look from national team scouts. |
 | 6. Denver Barbarians (Denver, Colorado) Previous Ranking: 6 Current Standing: Frontier #2 Arguably one of the nation's all-time great 7s programs despite failing to a win a national title in 8 cup final chances, the Barbos could easily sit a lot higher than sixth. They're currently in second-place in the Frontier 7s Series, but that's not necessarily a bad place to be. The last two second-ranked Frontier teams made it all the way to the National Championship final, including the Barbos in last season's tournament in Minnesota. This year, the Barbos are both blessed and hurt by how many of their players are in the Eagles squad for the 2018 Rugby World Cup Sevens, including past standouts such as Ben Pinkelman, Martin Iosefo, Ke'Von Williams, Cody Melphy, Malon Al-Jiboori, and Nick Boyer. They may get 1 or 2 of those players back if they don't make the World Cup, but the team is full of plenty of firepower even without them. Michael Al-Jiboori and Maximo de Achaval stand out among a group that also includes WCAP player Mattie Tago and the emerging Siale Maka, among others. With 102 players in their club and a lengthy 7s pedigree, the Barbos are likely the deepest team playing 7s. |
 | 7. Mystic River Rugby (Malden, Massachusetts) Previous Ranking: 8 Current Standing: Northeast #2 The 'Monsters of Malden' move up a spot after the Midwest had a less than stellar showing at the Eastern Open (the Chicago Lions went 2-2, finishing tied for third). Historically, the Northeast is incredibly strong, with an average finish of 6th place over the past 3 years. Mystic was unlucky the Northeast only had 2 seeds in 2017, getting blocked out by a strong Bulldog side, but they took bronze medals in 2015 and also reached the national quarter-finals in 2016. So far in 2018, they've finished second to a strong Old Blue team at both qualifiers, and their reserve side finished 4th in Newport. After a long run in XVs (Mystic River won the Men's Division I National Championship), a slow start is understandable, but it will be interesting to see how Mystic plays down the stretch. Head Coach Josh Smith was the 2017 USA Rugby Coach of the Year, and players such as Chris Frazier and Adnan Kawuma can turn matches around on a dime. |
 | 8. Metropolis Rugby (Minneapolis, Minnesota) Last Ranked: 7 Current Standing: Midwest #1 Metropolis falls a spot on the suspicion the Midwest might be a little weaker this year after the Chicago Lions dropped matches to Schuylkill River and Dallas. Overall, however, Metro isn't a team to be overlooked, and may well yet surprise a bunch of people (us included) who've overlooked them. The club lost a lot of players from its Fall XVs Midwest Premiership title to Major League Rugby, but looks to have reloaded in time for 7s. Uatesoni Filikitonga, younger sibling of Eagle standout Lemoto, joined the club this summer from SFGG, and is likely one to watch. Can Metro maintain their momentum? Much is to be seen as the Midwest goes into its second through fourth qualifiers. |
 | 9. New Orleans Rugby (New Orleans, Louisiana) Previous Ranking: 13 Current Standing: Red River #2 On the heels of the Southern Conference moving its qualifiers to the early part of the summer and calling it a day, New Orleans wisely moved over to the Red River 7s Series, where travel is similar, qualifiers are later, and a standout team like Dallas will provide them solid tests throughout the summer. New Orleans will be coached by MLR (and Tiger) standout Taylor Howden, who is no stranger to success in 7s. The team is also sure to get many New Orleans Rugby players, and possibly some new blood, from NOLA Gold as its inaugural MLR campaign winds down - which will only increase the quality of competition in Red River. Dallas winning the Eastern Open now adds another spot for Red River at Nationals, which also moves New Orleans up the rankings. |
 | 10. Life West Gladiators (Hayward, California) Previous Ranking: 17 Current Standing: NCRFU #3 Life West is an enigma this season. After going 2-2 in the first NCRFU tournament (a two-leg round-robin series), the Gladiators turned around and almost won the Western Open over an incredibly talented Belmont Shore Rugby team. Their outstanding work at the Open moves them up to #10 at the season's halfway point, but they still have a lot of work to do if they want to make it to Nationals. On the back of poor performances by Pacific North second teams over the past 3 seasons, the Pacific North has only 1 seed this year, and getting past Washington Athletic in Tacoma on July 28 is going to be a large hurdle. Life West also needs to show more consistency in NCRFU tournaments if they're going to defeat WAC, as dropping matches to Olympic Club and Santa Rosa isn't the form they can afford to be in come the PacNorth Championship. |
 | 11. Santa Monica Dolphins (Santa Monica, California) Previous Ranking: 10 Current Standing: Pacific South #2 Santa Monica continues to fight for consistency in its drive to reach the national quarter-finals. At the Western Open, the Dolphins had no trouble with SFGG, Olympic Club, or the East Bay Blues, but came up short against both Life West and rival Belmont Shore. By virtue of Belmont Shore winning the Pacific South a third seed to Nationals, Santa Monica is virtually assured of going to New York City even with its second-place standing, as they would have to have a near-complete collapse at Sunsplash 7s to fail to qualify. As such, they'll want to spend the remainder of their season building towards being a complete version of themselves when they make it to the East Coast. |
 | 12. New York Athletic (New York, New York) Previous Ranking: 12 Current Standing: Northeast #3 For NYAC, being Northeast #3 should be just good enough to make it to Nationals. Their job once they get there, however, will be to prove doubters wrong and show that the Northeast's #3 is just as deadly as many regions' #1 and #2 seeds. NYAC has been to Nationals 11 times previously, but only made the Cup Quarter-Finals three times. Nonetheless, the club sent Chris Mattina to the World Series this year (and possibly the World Cup), and has a plethora of talented players who've come through their system. |
 | 13. Atlanta Old White (Atlanta, Georgia) *QUALIFIED FOR NATIONALS* Previous Ranking: 15 Current Standing: South #1 Atlanta Old White will be making its 8th trip to Nationals, and is hoping to improve on its all-time best finish of 6th (in 2009 and 2010). They haven't made it to the Cup Quarter-Finals since 2013, but they now have all summer to best prepare themselves after the strain of qualifying has ceased. Old White moves up in the half-way point rankings after cross-town foe Optimus had a stronger-than-expected showing at the Eastern Open in drawing with Schuylkill River. Optimus finished well behind Old White in the Southern 7s Series this year, so our view on Old White has shifted upward accordingly. |
 | 14. Schuylkill River Exiles (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) Previous Ranking: 16 Current Standing: Mid-Atlantic #1 (tied) The Mid-Atlantic has been impossible to analyze, but Schuylkill River has been passing the eyeball test as the strongest team in the region - even if they didn't show it in finishing as a runner-up to Beltway Elite in the Mid-Atlantic's second qualifier. Schuylkill had a much better showing than Beltway at the Eastern Open, however, including an impressive win over the Chicago Lions and a controversial semi-final loss to Rocky Gorge (who is not doing as well in MAC qualifiers). When they're able to overcome their small mistakes, Schuylkill has the talent to hang with anyone. |
 | 15. Chicago Lions (Chicago, Illinois) Previous Ranking: 11 Current Standing: Midwest #2 Traditionally one of the nation's strongest clubs in both XVs and 7s, the Lions look to be going through a rebuilding phase. It's to-be-determined if that phase will be complete by the end of this summer, but their semi-final exit at the Eastern Open and second-place standing in the Midwest aren't the results one traditionally sees from the Lions in the early summer. The club has loads of young prospects, however, and a strong coaching staff, so the Lions we see in late July are expected to be considerably better than the Lions we've seen so far. How Chicago fares in its second and third Midwest qualifiers should give everyone a glimpse into their progress. |
 | 16. Westside Ronins (Seattle, Washington) Previous Ranking: NR Current Standing: N/A (Pacific Northwest qualifiers haven't started) After a slow start to 7s last year, the Ronins look to be serious contenders this season, and were the talk of the town at the Western Open. They were ultimately dealt an early semi-final exit by Life West, and couldn't beat a well-regarded Belmont Shore side in pool play, but their pace and physicality gave many of the other teams in the Pacific region fits. It should be interesting to see what form they'll be in by Tacoma 7s on July 28. |
 | 17. Cincinnati Wolfhounds (Cincinnati, Ohio) Previous Ranking: 18 Current Standing: Midwest #3 Cincinnati has been knocking on the door for years, and 2018 might be the season they break through. A third-place finish at Firehouse 7s showed that they're ready to go this year, and they'll be wanting to impress by the Midwest's final qualifier in their hometown on July 28. The Wolfhounds move up to the #17 spot at the halfway point of the season due to some chaos below them, but 17th seems about right for a team that currently sits *just* outside a place at the dance. |
 | 18. Peaks Rugby of Utah (Salt Lake City, Utah) Previous Ranking: 20 Current Standing: Frontier #3 Peaks - known as Humless at events such as the LVI - currently sits in the driver's seat to go to Nationals from what many consider the nation's hardest qualifying region. The club surprised many when they defeated the Kansas City Blues in the first Frontier 7s stop, but they'll need to maintain that momentum through Heartland 7s if they want to keep the pace for a place in New York City. The club is ranked 18th largely because they were unranked at the beginning of the year, and has a lot of room to climb if they maintain their results throughout the summer. The Utah region has as much as talent as anywhere, so it may be as simple as getting the right players on the field. |
 | 19. Old Mission Beach Athletic (San Diego, California) Previous Ranking: NR Current Standing: Pacific South #3 Teams don't usually root for their rivals, but OMBAC had to be happy to see Belmont Shore win the Western Open. The accomplishment gives the Pacific South a third seed, and OMBAC is currently in place to be the beneficiary of this result. When the 7s working group decided to create the Open concept, it was always known a team like PacSouth #3 might make it in over an arguably more-deserving PacNorth #2, but the pros of the open events (getting teams mixed in against each other more often, allowing teams to qualify for nationals earlier, etc.) outweigh the cons. Besides, the Open tournament seeds only took away from the lowest-scoring regions, and it's hardly thought a team like the PacSouth #3 could be much worse than the teams usually competing for 13th-16th place. All of that aside, OMBAC has the pedigree and history to make people regret doubting the PacSouth's gain. No club has more total XVs and 7s championships in USA history, and in 7s alone OMBAC has the second-most national championships, the most cup finals appearances, and the second-most overall Nationals appearances. |
 | 20 (tie). Olympic Club Rugby (San Francisco, California) Previous Ranking: 9 Current Standing: NCRFU #1 Olympic Club is a team that continues to baffle those making these rankings. They started the summer with impressive wins over Life West and SFGG in the first NCRFU event, but then looked like a completely different team at the Western Open, going 0-2-1 in pool play and fizzling out in the quarter-finals to Santa Monica. With standouts like Colin Hawley, OC is as dangerous as anyone when they're in form - but finding form is proving difficult in a region loaded with parity. It should be interesting to see how they fare down the stretch. They're just as capable of beating WAC as they are of finishing last at the PacNorth Championship. |
 | 20 (tie). Rocky Gorge Rugby (Columbia, Maryland) Previous Ranking: NR Current Standing: Mid-Atlantic #4 (tied) Rocky Gorge doesn't appear to be in a position to qualify while sitting in fourth in the Mid-Atlantic, but they had an incredibly strong showing at the Eastern Open, where they finished second to Dallas. Coach Ashton Thomas's side is young and athletic, and will probably be a threat come 2019. This year, they'll have to root for a lot of chaos with Schuylkill, Beltway, and NOVA if they want to make the short drive up to NYC. |
Honorable Mentions: Austin Blacks, Austin Huns, Beltway Elite, Kansas City Blues, Milwaukee Barbarians, Northern Virginia Rugby, Old Gaelic Rugby, Sacramento Capitals, Southern Pines Rugby
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