Cody Melphy: We are the Pioneers!
"I Eat,Sleep and Play Rugby".Cody Melphy also likes to Coach when he’s not travelling with the USA 7s team, but I suspect he won’t have much free time in the future following team USA’s 2nd World Series win and first win on home soil this weekend!
USA 7s win their first series on home soil!
The 24 year old Half-back from Colorado rose to prominence in 2017 captaining the AIG Men's Collegiate team to a bowl victory where he earned the attention of Men's Sevens Head Coach Mike Friday. More Recently Cody has been a part of the USA 7s team who hosted the World 7s series in Las Vegas this weekend! I caught up with Cody and discussed all things rugby!
1. Rugby or The NFL?
" Rugby. It’s much more entertaining than football. It’s full of action and it’s a constant stream of action. Whether it’s 15s for a full 80 minutes or a 3 day 7s tournament, it’s action packed and the athleticism to be able to be well rounded in every aspect of the sport in second to none. You tackle, pass, catch, kick, score etc".
2. How did you get involved in Rugby and the World 7s series?
" It started in senior year of high school, I overheard people talking about starting a rugby team and it sounded fun so I went out for the team. It was a good fit and I fell in love with the culture and continued playing. Got invited to my first men’s 7s camp after graduating from Life university in June".
Cody Melphy breaking a tackle
Credit: Travis Prior
3. What's been your greatest rugby experience so far?
" Greatest experience is running onto the field for the first time in the USA jersey on home soil at Sam Boyd stadium with the men’s 7s team".
4. Why is 7s rugby rapidly growing in appeal?
"7s is action packed for 14 minutes and you get to see teams play from all over the world all in one place! Brings the whole world together and it’s a mono e mono type of sport. 7 guys on a regular sized pitch going at it for 14 intense minutes. Game is developing rapidly and the participation age is starting to be younger and younger every year!"
Cody Melphy
Credit: Travis Prior
5. What does winning a second World Series and first win on home soil say about the future of USA 7's
"Its a big step in the right direction and the growth of rugby in the greatest Country in the World! We are the Pioneers!"
Congratulations Cody and thanks for taking the time out to speak to GRM!
Written by Shawn Boatin