The United States will be making their debut at the 2013 RLWC and they plan on ensuring that the world sits up and takes notice.
The Tomahawks guaranteed their maiden appearance at the World Cup by taking out the Atlantic group during the qualifying period.
Currently ranked 12th in the world, the Americans will be hoping to make their mark on the world stage.
USA Tomahawks
RLIF World Ranking: 12
Best Result: First appearance at World Cup
2008 Finish: Did not qualify
2013 RLWC Odds: $1501
The USA are not new to the international rugby league scene having played Tests in the early 1950s.
In 1953 an American all-stars side completed a 26 game tour of Australia and a match against a Sydney XIII at the Sydney Cricket Ground was attended by 64,000 people. It wasn’t until 1987 though, when the national side now known as the Tomahawks was formed.
Over the last decade, the US side has been playing international matches on a more regular basis against fellow rugby league minnows – the most publicised of those matches being a 54-10 loss to Russia in Moscow witnessed by 30,000 fans in 2002.
The only recent match against the stronger nations was a match on home soil against Australia in 2004.
The Tomahawks looked like they were going to cause the biggest boil-over in rugby league history leading 24-12 at halftime before the exceptionally talented Darren Lockyer led the Kangaroos to a 36-24 victory.
The game of rugby league has been developing nicely in the US over the past decade however the split competitions have halted some of the progress.
With reconciliation between the AMNRL and USARL on the table for 2014, a strong World Cup performance may just be the boost the sport needs.
The US booked their place in this year’s RLWC after defeating both the Jamaican and South African sides during the 2011 qualifiers.
The first time they’ve been successful in gaining entry after failed attempts at reaching the past two tournaments.
They were denied by Lebanon in 2000 and by Samoa in 2008, both games being a play-off for the final position in the World Cup.
Coached by Terry Matterson, the 2013 Tomahawks will be looking to continue their recent good form in international matches albeit this time against much stronger opposition.
Team Line Up (likely)
1. Kristian Freed
2. Brett Faramio
3. Michael Garvey
4. Ryan McGoldrick
5. Matt Petersen
6. Joseph Paulo (c)
7. David Marando
8. Junior Paulo
9. Joel Luani
10. Mark Oafferdahl
11. Matthew Shipway
12. Clint Newton
13. Eddy Pettybourne
14. Daniel Howard
15. Mark Cantoni
16. Judah Luvalo
17. Tui Samoa
Squad Members: Gabriel Farley, Roman Hifo, Stephen Howard, Craig Priestly, Lelauloto Tagaloa, Taylor Welch, Les Soloai
Key Player
The skipper Joesph Paulo will have the responsibility of leading the Tomahawks as well as being the chief playmaker for the side.
Paulo had a reasonable season for a poor Eels outfit and was quite often the best on-field for Parramatta.
The USA will certainly need Paulo in peak form to be a chance of winning games in this tournament.
Fixtures and Opponents
Vs Cook Islands @ Memorial Stadium, Bristol Kick Off – Thur 31st Oct 7am AEDT
Vs Wales @ Racecourse Stadium, Wrexham Kick Off – Mon fourth Nov 1am AEDT
Vs Scotland @ Salford City Stadium, Salford Kick Off – Fri eighth Nov 7am AEDT
Key Match
The debut match against Cook Islands will be a memorable moment for the Tomahawks in more ways than one if they can manage to be victorious at full time.
The Americans are currently six places higher than the Cook Islanders on the world rankings.
If USA can grab a win here, they may only need to cause an upset against either Wales or Scotland to find themselves progressing to the next stage which would mark an incredible debut.
RLWC 2013 Prospects
Qualifying for the rugby league World Cup has been a major achievement in itself for the USA.
The Americans will be out to do the stars and stripes proud however the squad may be a little behind the pace in 2013.
If the Tomahawks can grab a victory on debut, it will be testament to the great work that the administrators have put in over in the US.
A solid campaign backed up by a reconciliation of the two domestic competitions will be a major boost for the sport in the states and we may see the Tomahawks in action at the RLWC every four years moving forward.
Matt_S
Guest
US win in Toulouse got some coverage in Miami Herald. Every little bit helps http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/10/19/3698427/us-pulls-off-upset-win-ahead-of.html
symbolsoup
Guest
I especially like, "it’s like touch rugby with tackling" His friend must have been Irish-American.
In Brief
Guest
I agree, the discimination against rugby in Italy is truly shameful. Mussollini banned the sport during WW!!. Imagine how big the game they play in heaven would be if it wasn't for the fascists undermining the great game? Having said that, I do think callling rugby league 'yawnion' is a bit rude - I know it can be repetitive at times but do we really need to use such childish terminology? Next you'll be calling soccer 'wendyball'.
Pot Stirrer
Guest
I noinate Blue' s comment for the Dumbest of the month. lol
Renegade
Roar Guru
Your mate is clearly not all there based on how dumb his quotes are.....i'm not sure you are either based on you actually deciding to post this thinking it's somehow relevant.
Blue
Guest
Tomahawks. That's racist. Eric: "If rugby league takes off in America, the NRL will suffer." There's no reason to worry. Rugby League is not going to take off in the the US. You can sleep soundly. The only reasons players leave is when they are old and go play in a small Northern hamlet in England or when they get suspended for repeated buffoonery. Like a US friend of mine said to me recently when visiting and watching a game on TV "This is like dumb rugby. Why would anyone ever want to play this?" Another good quote I've seen recently is "it's like touch rugby with tackling. Looks like people are warming up for a real game of sport."
Dave the Yank
Guest
On the day our pool games are winnable. My tipping sense is tingling about a USA appearance in quaters.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Dave, Yes, that's a real shame.... they need to reconcile the competitions as soon as possible.
eric
Guest
If rugby league takes off in America, the NRL will suffer. Can you imagine all the players leaving Nrl for the bigger dollars and lifestyle in the USA. How the player managers will milk Nrl clubs with the threat of USA. On the topic of player managers, the NRL should introduce a rule to say that if a player manager has helped a player break their contract for whatever reason, they should be banned. The return of SBW was not a positive to rugby league. It wasn't. The majority of fans are naturally loyal. Loyal people like to see loyalty rewarded.
russell johnson
Guest
I think the situation is far more complex than that and the USA officials have a big fish to fry in order to become a sport of note in their country and sometimes that means difficult decisions that on a personal level are very hard to swallow.
russell johnson
Guest
There are still and sadly , usually from the snoozed and losed brigade of some other sport, those who will turn up here to castigate league. It's fascinating to me that some pundits and far too many fans feel they have a right to have a go and totally ignoring the idea of "fair go" .They have turned up because of other articles on this and other websites not with the intention of exercising in a bit of free speech but to denigrate a sport they don't particularly like and seeking any pretence that might justify their need to be there at all ! ! ! Now they find things like the number of NRL players in THE World Cup a real excuse to criticize. Now first of all one of the main reasons why it has to be done this way is because of the underhand and unsporting actions of their own sport in trying to prevent the development of league across the globe. This has meant that RL has had be creative in the way it helps development. One of those ways is to adopt a practice of NRL and any other players choosing the country they wish to play for - and normally when they have some sort of credential to enable this to happen. The necessity of this is directly the result of discriminatory practices by one sport against another. In order for it to become clear why this is so important I'll just copy this quote from the Chairman of Italian RL after their great win over England, "I'm proud of the way the youngsters from Italy have grown in just a few days by mixing with legends they look up to," D’Arro added. "This is a great day for Rugby League's future in Italy and a perfect start to our World Cup campaign." Make no mistake the fight he has to make is against massive odds of a legacy of discrimination. This is something that has occurred across the globe and continues in all sorts of hidden and suspect ways to this day! What shall we play first "Born in the USA" or " Il Canto degli Italiani" Well done to the Tomahawks and the Azzurri and what an excellent way to open THE World Cup! (You can't see it but I'm just thumbing my nose at all the Yawnion trolls!) By the way I don't believe in conspiracies but neither do I accept the unacceptable just because I'm told to do so! TGG "Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth." " Walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes. But know that for all these things God will bring you into judgement." half a message for the USA and Italy the rest for Kick and Clap - no apologies you've earned it!
Jz
Guest
the reason is that they have chosen way to many players that are heritage players, meaning grand parent rules apply that's why Apple pope and others missed out, this hasn't been taken to well by the domestic players in the states. Players like Apple have played every game to Qualify and get dropped for the big show by players that havn't even been to the country they clam to represent.
Jz
Guest
the reason is that they have chosen way to many players that are heritage players, meaning grand parent rules apply that's why Apple pope and others missed out, this hasn't been taken to well by the domestic players in the states. Players like Apple have played every game to Qualify and get dropped for the big show by players that havn't even been to the country they clam to represent.
C.K
Guest
Great stuff! Kangaroos vs the Tamohawks. The winner will be crowned.... ''king of the meat pie''.
jamesb
Guest
"Yes, 8 of the players that took the field against France are from the domestic competition in the US…. it’s a massive win." That is great news. Looks like the game is slowly picking up in the states. Let's all hope that there is a compromise between AMNRL and USARL. As for the World Cup, USA could jag one or two upsets, if that French result is any guide.
Dave the Yank
Guest
It really is a bit disappointing that the split between the USA RL and the American RL couldn't be fixed and Pope and the other USARL players weren't considered. Still think they will give it a red hot go.
Marldon
Guest
Nine players on the roster were born in the US, many of them cut their teeth playing in the USA’s domestic competitions, while some others on the squad have come to the States to play during their summer season.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Agree. Players from both leagues were chosen for the test series against Canada so I'm not sure what's happened since then.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Jamesb, Yes, 8 of the players that took the field against France are from the domestic competition in the US.... it's a massive win. What makes it even more incredible is that the split competitions in the US led to their best player (Apple Pope) missing out. Not only that but they have changed coach 3 times this year as well.... it's basically organised chaos for the Tomahawks which appears to have worked. Matt Elliott had been the Coach for the past two years and he had to give up the post due to his commitment to the Warriors. Brian Smith was then flown in and out within a short period and Terry Matterson has only had the reins for no more than one or two months I believe.
Andy
Guest
"With reconciliation between the AMNRL and USARL on the table for 2014, a strong World Cup performance may just be the boost the sport needs. " I do not think there is one USARL player in that squad. I think they are only hurting their chances by not getting the best players from both comps.