Why Perry Baker is the best player in the World Rugby Sevens

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  • After scoring 24 tries in 18 matches this season, Perry Baker (aka ‘Speed Stick’) continues to be one of the most devastating finishers on the Sevens circuit.

    In November, the US star picked up the World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year award after scoring 57 tries during a memorable 2016/17 season.

    In what was a tumultuous year for the 31-year-old Florida native, many believed England’s Danny Norton – another star operating at an immense level – deserved the accolade after a season in which he broke the Rugby Sevens try scoring record.

    But if there was any doubt about who the stand-out player is, it was nullified this weekend in Las Vegas as Baker crossed the line for eight tries and looked virtually unmarkable during America’s successful campaign.

    At 6’1 and 82kg, Baker possesses frightening pace and power. Against England in the quarter-finals he scored three first-half tries, with his first five strides taking him past two players at a time. It’s scary to think a winger competing at this level can make it look so easy.

    Not only can he beat opponents and score tries, but he is also solid in defence and demonstrated this when holding up a series of attacks against England and Fiji, at points in the game when the US were under pressure.

    In most teams – amateur and professional – a lethal winger can sometimes be a weak tackler, but Baker’s freakish ability to be strong in attack and defence highlights his status as the best player in Sevens rugby.

    The Blitzboks’ Seabelo Senatla – now playing Super Rugby with the Stormers – is another outstanding figure on the Sevens circuit, and Luke Morgan is having the year of his life for Wales – but in Baker, the Eagles possess a naturally gifted all-round player.

    When the Eagles Sevens stepped out against Argentina in the final of the Las Vegas 7s on Sunday, it was always going to be an interesting encounter – with the hosts bidding for a second ever win on the circuit and Argentina featuring in just their second final.

    But Mike Friday’s side looked more influential with ball in hand, and Baker crossed the line for one of the four tries as they sealed a first win on the circuit since May 2015 at the London Sevens.

    Sevens has always taken Baker’s preference, but with US rugby rising, could 2018 be the year we see the most devastating finisher in the game star for the 15s side?

    It may be too early to get excited, but Baker’s superiority in Las Vegas shows a player with the complete array of skills required to thrive at any format of the game.

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