Perry Baker: USA Eagles star brings blistering pace to rugby field
Updated
11:33 AM EDT, Fri July 20, 2018
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There are few rugby players faster than Perry Baker.
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The speedster is thought to have clocked close to 10.5 seconds over 100 meters. Since signing a contract with US sevens in 2014, Baker has set the rugby world alight bagging 170 tries in 189 matches on the Sevens World Series circuit.
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It hasn't all been plain sailing, though. Baker has held down a range of jobs that include conducting urinalysis for a courthouse, a brief stint in pest control and night shifts as a security guard for a sorority at Ohio University.
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In sporting spheres, his early ambitions lay with the NFL rather than rugby. After signing for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2011, Baker was released due to a knee injury.
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He starred in his first tournament on Australia's Gold Coast in 2014, grabbing a hattrick against Portugal (pictured).
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Last season was Baker's most successful to date; he scored more tries (57) and points (285) than any other player in the Sevens World Series.
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It lead to him being crowned World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year in November.
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His 170 tries mean Baker is the top try-scorer in US rugby sevens history ahead of teammate Carlin Isles, who is third on the list.