Last year’s Girls Elite bracket at the NAI 7s produced a surprise, but an explainable one — this year could see more of the same.

The Idaho Grey Wolves weren’t expected to contend but ended up winning it all, because the roster was filled out with several very accomplished Utah-based players, who led the team to victory over Atlantis.

Watch The NAI 7s LIVE on FloRugby
Friday, August 3, Saturday, August 4

There are no Grey Wolves here this year, and perhaps that just makes everything wide open.

Pool A

Oregon Redhawks

HEB Barbarians

South Bay

Atlantis

The easy thing to say is that Atlantis is favored in this pool but we’re going to shake it up … Atlantis is favored in this pool. OK, sorry, can’t say anything else. The Atlantis approach is such that the team has to be favored. While most programs have to bounce between 15s and sevens, Atlantis is a sevens-only program and its coaching, training, and planing is centered around that.

And no one beats Atlantis on the restarts.

The differences among the other three are stark. South Bay (out of Southern California) is strong and powerful, and while the team has a few speedsters in its arsenal, will win by dominating the point of contact. The Redhawks will be fit and quick, and if their ball handling is coming together, could tire teams out. 

The Barbarians are more direct in their attack, but will likely win by playing superb defense. Who finishes second is a massive question. Right now, based on results in 15s all-star play, the Redhawks may well be on the roll their need.

Watch Live

Pool B

Rocky Mountain Rebels

Utah Rugby Academy

Celtic Barbarians

USA South

This is a very even pool. The South has players from a variety of teams, but watch out for the speed and athleticism of the Columbia Central players such as LaDaysia Moss and Tayana Harlan. They could break this pool open. The Ricky Mountain Rebels are a solid group with good skills. But it could well come down to the Celtic Barbarians vs Utah Rugby Academy game at 2:20 PM on Friday. That will likely decide the pool.

So we’re saying Utah first and Celtic second, but it really could be anyone on the day.

Watch Live

Going through the knockout rounds, watch for Atlantis to pull away and show that intelligence that won the New York 7s in November. However, there could well be a Utah speed bump waiting.