At 38, HSBC SVNS Series legend Perry Baker turned back the clock with a stunning solo effort for Kalinga Black Tigers in India’s new Rugby Premier League – beating a few defenders with vintage speed and agility against the Chennai Bulls.
After going to a third Olympic Games with Team USA, Baker retired from international sevens in October 2024, bringing a decorated 10-year career to a close. Baker had previously hinted at potentially playing in two marquee events only, amid rumours of retirement.
Baker mentioned the events in Hong Kong China and Los Angeles in an interview with RugbyPass, although the ‘Speedstick’ didn’t suit up for the USA in either tournament, but the assistant coach nearly played in Singapore this year after a disastrous run of injuries to the squad.
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Coach Simon Amor selected Baker in the roster for that event at Singapore’s National Stadium, but it was always unlikely the former two-time World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year would return but it wouldn’t be long until fans could see the American back on the field.
When Rugby India’s all-new RPL was announced, Baker was confirmed as one of the marquee names joining the revolutionary competition. Baker was drafted by Kalinga, joining SVNS icons Maurice Longbottom, Lucas Lacamp, Rosko Specman and Harry McNulty in the team.
The Black Knights were 0-3 to start the two-week season, which left them desperate for a win in order to climb up the ladder. Their fourth match of the season was a tough one, with Chennai 3-0 and sitting in first place on the standings.
Baker led by example early in this fixture, scoring the opener with by dancing around a couple of defenders. Pardeep Singh passed the ball onto Baker, who was standing on the right wing – with the American carrying the ball into two hands before offering some sharp footwork.
The three-time Olympian stepped off his right foot to beat one defender, before splitting another two with sheer pace and grit. Baker still had some work to do, but the No. 11 never looked like slowing down with the try line in sight.
That was the opening try of the match, just two minutes into the first quarter. RPL has adopted a new approach to sevens, playing four-minute quarters instead of two-minute halves, which has made for some dramatic rugby already.
Argentina’s Joaquin Pellandini hit back for the Bulls later in the first quarter, before Kalinga took control once again with two tries in the second – Kyle Tremblay and James Thiel crossing for a five-pointer each.
The Bulls had scored two tries to the Black Tigers’ three by the half-time break, but the ladder-leaders regained some momentum with Filipe Sauturaga crossing midway through the third. This match was far from over, though, as it came down to the wire.
Ajay Deswal scored Kalinga’s final try to start the fourth, but Vaafauese Maliko’s effort in the last play of the match was a difference-maker. Pellandini stepped up, nailing the conversion, to secure a dramatic 26-all draw at Andheri Sports Complex, Mumbai.
In the other match that night, Ireland’s Jordan Conroy scored a double as the Delhi Redz ran away with a 20-7 win over James Turner’s Mumbai Dreamers. Mumbai are now last on the standings, while Chenna still hold top spot ahead of Hyderabad Heroes.
