Dallen Stanford

Dallen Stanford (born May 16, 1979) is a South African born, former American rugby union sevens player,^[1] and current rugby commentator in the United States. Stanford played center and flyhalf for the Occidental Olde Boys when first arriving in the U.S. in 2003. He then joined Belmont Shore RFC and was a part of the Super League championship team in 2007 as well as the Club 7s National Championship side in 2009 and runners-up in both 2008 and 2010. Stanford first played in the Club 7s National Championship for the Oxy Olde Boys in 2006 - who finished fifth. He was the tournament's top points scorer.

Stanford was selected for the USA Sevens team by Al Caravelli in 2006.^[2] The sevens scrumhalf / flyhalf played in 13 Sevens World Series events from 2006-2009 including the 2013 Sevens Rugby World Cup in Dubai. The team's best finish on the HSBC Sevens Series during that time was making the semi finals of the cup in San Diego, CA during the 2008/2009 season.

Playing Career

Stanford attended Rondebosch Boys' High School and played alongside Springboks Gcobani Bobo and Hanyani Shimange during the 1996 and 1997 seasons.^[3] He studied Marketing at the Cape Technikon, and played rugby at the University of Cape Town (UCT), captaining the u21A side to a rare unbeaten season in 2000.^[4] He played on the UCT 1st XV from 1999-2002 in the outside center position, and was a part of the famous 8-8 draw with Stellenbosch (Maties) during the intervarsity played at Craven Stadium, as well as the UCT 34-24 win over Stellenbosch in the return fixture at the Green Mile.^[5]

Coaching and Commentating

Since 2011, Stanford has been the Los Angeles Program Director for non-profit Play Rugby USA - who's mission is developing youth through rugby, using flag rugby as a vehicle for social change.^[6] He has been involved in various forms of rugby through journalism, being a media manager for USA Rugby at the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand and 2013 Sevens World Cup in Russia, various coaching positions as well as being a rugby commentator.

In 2015 Stanford appeared on ESPN3 for the USA Rugby National 7s and 15s College National Championships,^[7] as well as World Rugby's Pacific Nations Cup matches featuring the USA, Canada, Japan, Samoa and Fiji.^[8] Stanford's commentary one-liners have drawn lots of media attention across YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and Reddit - such at the "Danny Barrett - he can turn water into wine!" from the USA Rugby vs. Samoa clash at Avaya Stadium on July 18, 2015. In 2016 Stanford made his broadcasting debut on the HSBC Sevens World Series announcing the Las Vegas and Vancouver 7s (Men's) as well as the Atlanta 7s. (Women's)^[9]

Since retiring from international Rugby, Stanford has represented Team USA at the 2013 World Maccabiah Games in Israel, captaining the USA Rugby squad to Gold in 7s and Bronze in XVs. ^[10] He was named MVP of the 7s tournament and joined the likes of USA Eagles Zack Test and Kevin Swiryn as the most recent Jewish USA 7s internationals. ^[11] In 2015, Stanford represented Team USA Rugby as a player/coach at the 13th Pan American Maccabi Games, held in Santiago, Chile.^[12] He was chosen as one of the three flag bearers for the Opening Ceremonies for the USA delegate. ^[13] Team USA went on to win Gold in 7s and Silver in XVs, with Stanford captaining the sevens squad. ^[14]

References