How to Follow the Olympics 2016 USA Men’s Rugby Team on Instagram
This is a really big year for the USA Men’s Rugby team. It’s been 92 years since rugby was last played in the Olympics. In 1924, the United States won a gold medal in the standard version of the game, which featured fifteen players on one side. This year, a new version of the game will be played, which features seven players on each team. 2016 will mark the very first time that the USA Men’s Sevens will compete in any Olympic games.
In the spirit of sportsmanship, we decided to casually stalk the Instagrams of some of the USA Men’s Sevens team. We learned about their favorite pastimes (like playing Pokémon Go), their favorite animals (dogs and koalas seem to be a big theme), and their favorite foods. Obviously we appreciate these accomplished dudes for their athletic skills, but let's be real: They're not bad to look at either. And, their social media accounts are a perfect way to get an up-close look at the Summer Games. Read on to get to know some of the guys who will be taking the USA all the way to the gold!
Getty Images1/13Perry Baker
Originally from Daytona Beach, Florida, this 30-year-old athlete has been playing with the U.S. Men’s Sevens for the past two years. Previously, he played (American) football with the Arena Football League’s Pittsburgh Power. A quick spin through Perry’s Instagram will show you that he enjoys traveling, hiking, and he’s definitely an animal lover. There’s even a picture of him with a koala — can you find it?
Getty Images2/13Danny Barrett
Rugby is something that runs in Danny Barrett’s family, as all of his brothers also play the sport. At only 26 years old, Danny was [named by his coach(http://www.usarugby.org/player/danny-barrett/#30bqfd38gQfzZ2dx.97) as one of the top five players he’s ever coached. Danny’s Instagram shows that he has a seriously great sense of humor — his bio alone is LOL-worthy: “I am a janitor at MIT and love solving complex math problems on chalkboards.” Hmm, we think we can guess his favorite movie.
Getty Images for HSBC3/13Maka Unufe
Born in California but raised in Utah, Maka Unufe played football in high school where he earned the nickname “Catch Me If You Can.” While this is his first Olympics, Maka played in the 2011 Pan American Games where he earned a bronze medal. Maka is married and has three adorable children, which are featured prominently on his Instagram page. Make sure you check out their Halloween costumes — sooo cute.
Getty Images4/13Garrett Bender
Like Perry Baker, Garrett Bender started off playing football. He was even recruited as a linebacker to play college football at St. Cloud State in his home state of Minnesota, but he soon discovered that his true passion was rugby. After scrolling through Garrett’s Instagram, it’s pretty clear that he has a lot of talents — including some impressive yoga poses. And if you dig really deep like we did, you’ll be rewarded with pictures of Garrett’s adorable puppy.
Getty Images5/13Carlin Isles
Like some of his teammates, Carlin Isles is both a rugby player and a football player, but he also runs track. He would have qualified for the USA Track & Field team in 2012, but he did not attend the Olympic games that year. He began his rugby career just a few years ago in 2012, and has been working towards joining the Olympics with the Men’s Eagles Sevens. Fun fact: Carlin is known as the “fastest man in rugby.” (He also has the best Instagram. We're just saying.)
AFP/Getty Images6/13Madison Hughes_
Madison Hughes has wanted to be an athlete since he was 3 years old. In addition to playing rugby, he loves to ski, and he also invents games that he plays with his family. At only 23 years old, he is the captain of the team that will be headed to Rio in the 2016 Olympics. Madison’s Instagram shows that he loves to travel, and that his fans think of him as a superhero.
AFP/Getty Images7/13Zack Test
Zack Test began his athletic journey playing football for the University of Oregon, but made his debut with the Men’s Sevens team in the 2008-2009 season. At age 26, Zack is originally from California, and he’s still adjusting to the lifestyle of a pro-athlete. He told GQ that he loves junk food, and his favorite is pizza with whipped cream. That's...definitely a combo. Zack’s Isntagram showcases a love of travel, nature, and family.
World Rugby via Getty Images8/13Ben Pinkelman
Originally from Omaha Nebraska, Ben Pinkelman has been playing rugby for the past six years. He has been with the USA team since 2014, after playing with Colorado State’s team and earning MVP. While Ben hasn’t posted a lot of pics to Instagram (get on that, Ben!), it is clear that he has a really cute family and he loves playing Pokémon Go.
Getty Images9/13Nate Ebner
Not only is Nate Ebner an all-star rugby player, he also plays football. After playing rugby for several years, he joined the Ohio State Buckeyes in his junior year of college. In 2012, he was drafted by the New England Patriots. The team released him earlier this spring so that he could train with the USA Eagles Sevens in preparation for the Olympics in Rio. That is definitely one impressive resume! Nate’s Instagram is an array of sports pictures, snippets from his travels, and lots of pics of his S.O. (sorry, he is taken).
Getty Images10/13Folau Niua
Californian Folau Niua started his rugby career while playing for the East Paolo Alto Razorbacks before joining the Eagles in 2011. He played with the Eagles at the '11 Pan American Games, where they won a bronze medal. In the 2015-2016 season, Folau was one of the highest scoring players on the Eagles, earning the team 55 points.
Getty Images11/13Chris Wyles
Chris Wyles is the captain of the Eagles Sevens, after joining the team in 2007. He also played in the World Cup for the U.S.A. in 2007. He's a versatile player, and when he played for the Saracens club, he played five different positions for the team. Originally from Allentown, PA, he attended college at University of Nottingham in England.
Getty Images for Japan Sunwolves12/13Andrew Durutalo
Born in New York City but raised in Fiji, this 28-year-old joined the Eagles in 2012. He was the captain of the Fiji U19s and helped lead them to victory at the World Junior Championships in Dubai in '06. Before playing in the 2015-2016 Rugby Sevens Series, Andrew played with the Sunwolves, a Japan-based team.
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