The United States sent Wales crashing out of the Rugby League World Cup on Sunday with a 24-16 win at Wrexham which set the Tomahawks up for a likely quarter-final showdown with Australia.
The Welsh, the tournament co-hosts and semi-finalists in 1995 and 2000, were beaten 32-16 by Italy in their opening group match and were poor again on Sunday with Newcastle-bound NRL forward Clint Newton crossing for two of the Americans’ five tries.
Captain Joseph Paulo scored a try and kicked two goals for the US who beat the Cook Islands in their tournament opener.
“It’s a bad result but, as the World Cup has shown, I don’t think you can tag anybody as a bad team because, come the World Cup, they come from all over the world,” said Wales coach Iestyn Harris.
“There wasn’t one USA man in the whole squad. There’s a lot of Australian-based players in there who are of a very good quality.”
The Tomahawks’ squad were only formed at short notice and coach Brian Smith left on the eve of the event.
But they have won five matches in succession, following their Colonial Cup double over Canada and their 22-18 warm-up victory over France.
“I’m really proud,” said new coach Terry Matterson, who played State of Origin for NSW and won two premierships with Brisbane. “I didn’t know these guys until two weeks ago and they’ve worked really hard in that time.
“To come here against a good Welsh team with everything to play for, they were playing for their World Cup and threw everything at us. It was an outstanding performance – the boys keep defying belief, to be honest.
“We’ll keep our heads down and keep working hard and worry about the next game against Scotland.”
The Scots drew 30-30 with Italy in Workington.
Matt_S
Guest
oh and Jacksonville Axeman have done wonders for league coverage in Florida. My friend said these two articles made the print versions also, including big colour photos: http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/10/19/3698427/us-pulls-off-upset-win-ahead-of.html#storylink=cpy http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/10/30/3721439/us-upsets-cook-islands-in-rugby.html
Matt_S
Guest
Here, now go back to sleep http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/31/sports/us-wins-at-rugby-league-world-cup.html?ref=sports&_r=0 Please click, as more hits, more good for RL :)
Emric
Guest
Australia will win
Emric
Guest
http://www.nytimes.com/pages/sports/international/index.html Please show me a single article about the league World Cup
Renegade
Roar Guru
Yes Iestyn Harris another person who didn't do his research... The Tomahawks promptly corrected him the same day ..."Just to correct uninformed comments by Wales coach Iestyn Harris about the USA team. We had ten USA nationals and residents on field today."
Muzz
Guest
You missed a couple Names have changed,but their dross is still the same.
In Brief
Guest
Thanks Renegade. Can you please add Iestyn Harris to the list. Perhaps the famous 4?
Sham
Guest
My dad is bigger than your dad. Great to see three year olds writing comments,on the roar. Peter maybe get your mum to help next time - she could tell you about all the local league competitions including in the US.
Brett the Manly fan
Guest
There are actually a few from the Hawaiian Islands and a couple from AMERICAN Samoa
Renegade
Guest
"many people" Clipper, in brief and nomad.... LOL many people!! RLIF should just give up - the three amigos with little cred think its a farce so it must be true.... lol same old boring stuff from the same old people....maybe if you guys post your thoughts another 200 times each someone might actually believe them.
Squirrel
Guest
Should be a close game.
Matt_S
Guest
And I recall the USA Eagles made the NY Times once during their campaign. In fact once the US public realised what drivel they were, the mentions ceased. The Tomahawks will probably get more exposure from this than the Eagles will ever dream of lol. Cheesy but exposure is exposure. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81032WpTjDw
Epiquin
Guest
I've been saying for months in the lead up to the World Cup that USA would give the tournament a shake and everybody laughed. Well who's laughing now? Sure it would be nice if Wales, a team that's been growing and growing, had advanced. But the fact is, America's population, it's economy and it's culture form the best possible market for growing the game. The ARL needs to capitalise on this, maybe host an annual game against them or something. And perhaps if the NRL's wealthiest supporters, like Crowe, Tinkler and Singleton, want to invest in League, the USA is where they should be investing.
clipper
Guest
Russell johnson - if you're going to be a spelling or grammar nazi, you have to make sure your spelling and grammar is without reproach, otherwise you will end up looking like a hypocrite. You've used fine instead of find and have stated above that you have made mistakes because of your typing skills. As for the USA farce which many people have noted, the league 'world' cup should just be renamed the 'NRL world cup with assistance from SL', and then there would be no complaints and everyone could get on with having fun watching and participating in the event.
Daniel Szabo
Roar Guru
How is it far from true? It's completely true. Do your research mate
Pot Stirrer
Guest
Why are the detractors so precious about the details. Who cares, The end result its a great succes for RL fans and we are having a ball watching the games and dramas over the upsets. And judging by the crowds the locals are to getting into it and enjoying the event to. So take your balls and go home we dont need or want to hear your pathetic critique of a great event born out of nothing but sour grapes.
Daniel Szabo
Roar Guru
Correction - 8 American-born players and 6 who currently ply their trade in the American domestic competition.
Daniel Szabo
Roar Guru
On the RLWC website (the page about team USA) I counted 7 American-born players. The RLWC website is lying?
Russell johnson
Guest
Sorry about all the mistakes here I'm a very bad typist........ But my World Cup is great so I don't care very much!
Russell johnson
Guest
Peter Charity Now come on don't sugar-coat it give it to us straight we can take it ! Don't mess around hit us with your best shot ! Oh, it was your best effort! I'm sorry I must have become confused by the deep philosophical threads and metaphysical analysis, the reasoned arguments and totally without any use of condescending attitudes. You and yours must be so proud - sorry I can't write any more I'm welling up!