They entered the 2013 Rugby League World Cup regarded as a team there to make up the numbers, a team who had had little success over their history.
Little was expected from the United States of America Tomahawks.
However they have set many tongues wagging throughout the tournament after beating the fourth-ranked French outfit 22-18 in Toulouse during the lead up to the tournament.
They then remarkably played three games in the space of just nine games including group matches against the Cook Islands (32-20) and Wales (24-16) before losing an inter-group match against Scotland (22-8) qualifying for the quarter finals against none other than the Australian Kangaroos.
While they went down in that match 62-0, they still managed to put up a fight against the tournament favourites.
America, depending on how you view them politically, are widely seen as the big brother of the world.
The country that is usually there to help out the smaller countries, a country that is happy to stand up against some of the bullies and a country that are just five days away from remembering the fiftieth anniversary of the assassination of one of their much loved presidents John Fitzgerald Kennedy.
For many watching their success at the Rugby League World Cup has been encouraging.
In a sport where underdog stories are far and few between seeing the success of the Tomahawks topping their group and qualifying for the quarter finals has been a remarkable feat.
While those who have watched all four of their matches throughout the tournament, including their quarter final loss to the Kangaroos, it has been great to see a group of players who came together just a week before the event and overcome a last minute coaching change.
Players who were not being paid to participate at the tournament was a fairytale moment. The only thing that would make it better would have been victory over the dominant Australian outfit.
Throughout the tournament the USA Tomahawks have had a number of set backs.
They battled against referees who when it came to fifty-fifty calls favoured the more established international outfits.
They also battled against commentators who saw fit to fill their commentary calls filled with American clichés rather than focus on the good the team had done throughout the tournament.
The USA Tomahawks may have been bundled out of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup in their quarter final match-up against Australia, however throughout the entire tournament they did show signs of brilliance, guts and determination that would have truly rattled the leading international teams if they were able to string it all together in the one match.
It would be interesting to see how the American National Rugby League benefits from their success at this world cup.
The competition currently features twenty teams and in the process of expanding into Hawaii and other states.
The code is also ready for the launch of EagleTag in a bid to introduce juniors into the game.
If just a handful of children in the Land of the Free get encouraged to take up the game following their success at this world cup then the efforts displayed by this USA Tomahawks team could pave the way for more success in future editions of the tournament.
The efforts definitely show that the United States of America is well and truly the Home of the Brave.
I'mastormtrooper2
Guest
For all Rugby League WC followers around the world, who don't have the viewing programme and times ... Just wanted to make sure no one missed the England V NZ and Australia V Fiji Channel 7 coverage. MAXIMUS - for your benefit the games will be aired in the USA in New York on Saturday, November 23 at 10:30am - ENJOY!!! Nov 23rd 3.30pm Winner Q/F 2 v Winner Q/F 4 (World Cup SF 2) Kick-off time: 3.30pm (Local Time), Sydney (Australia - New South Wales) Sunday, 24 November 2013 at 2:30:00 AM, Brisbane (Australia - Queensland) Sunday, 24 November 2013 at 1:30:00 AM, Auckland (New Zealand) Sunday, 24 November 2013 at 4:30:00 AM, New York (U.S.A. - New York) Saturday, 23 November 2013 at 10:30:00 AM, Rome (Italy) Saturday, 23 November 2013 at 4:30:00 PM, Nukualofa (Tonga) Sunday, 24 November 2013 at 4:30:00 AM, Apia (Samoa) Sunday, 24 November 2013 at 5:30:00 AM, Rarotonga (Cook Islands) Saturday, 23 November 2013 at 5:30:00 AM, Paris (France) Saturday, 23 November 2013 at 4:30:00 PM, Port Moresby (Papua New Guinea) Sunday, 24 November 2013 at 1:30:00 AM
peeeko
Roar Guru
I'm in Chicago and couldn't find it on tv.
Maximus
Guest
Perenara missed a US strip called 2 knockons against Aussies when they werent and a forward pass so pretty well cost the Aussiess some more points or do you think the US should have won. The 12 mete appearance was because the field was short. US were robbed ?? what game did you watch...
Maximus
Guest
If you listened closely he said the White House line was a lie so more RL hyperbole. The US didnt ahve the games on any sports channel...Can you tell the truth occasionallyl
In Brief
Guest
To be fair, the team was not made up of players from the USA league competition. That's what caused so much controversy within the American rugby league community. The question is, are the players who played for the Tomahawks be prepared to stay in the USA and grow the game or not?
Pom wa
Guest
"While EagleTag is based on OzTag (with the silly tags you rip off) I think with the closeness that the two games have they could be better to turn EagleTag into more like proper Touch Football, as that has more of the fundamentals of the game of Rugby League." That is actually very incorrect,Tag is a better development tool and running lines and defensive structures are the same. It's also easier to play for those new to the game. I prefer touch but Oztag is much more similar to full Rugby League. -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
I'mastormtrooper2
Guest
Some valid points - It's been said the American's believe league is too tough for them - "no padding?" "you lot are mad!" ... When and if the expansion goes ahead it should be to Perth and Central Queensland ...
Pickett
Guest
I'm in two minds about putting too much emphasis on USA. They are just too ingrained with their NFL, baseball, basketball and ice hockey. Even soccer hasn't really grabbed the heart strings of the yanks despite having a reasonable domestic comp, large participation and staging the World Cup there. I doubt even Union will get much traction there (despite what the deluded union fans will say). Another thing, America is not the America that we used to know. It doesn't have the money it used to have, so the government won't have the spare cash to help advance a relatively new sport. But this is another issue.. I would prioritise as follows: 1. Pacific nations: PNG, tonga, Samoa , Fiji , Cook Islands - as these are close to Australia/Nz 2. France: judging by the crowds there seems to be a noticeable renaissance of league in France. I wouldn't worry too much about the rest of Uk. 3. Lebanon, Serbia, Jamaica etc where there is domestic comp. 4. Canada and South Africa. I don't know why, but there's always been more affinity within commonwealth countries than say America. Also South Africa have a massive union player base where most will never play for the Springboks. These can be coaxed to play for the Rhinos. The way forward would be to have a Perth team in the NRL which I'm sure would have a large following from the huge expat South Africans there, not to mention the expat kiwis, NSW and Queenslanders as well. 5. India over China due to less language barriers, probably better physical suitability and India is on its way to becoming a very wealthy nation.
I'mastormtrooper2
Guest
That's what the commentators said ... England won ...
Brett the Manly fan
Guest
great article
Maximus
Guest
The game was beamed live to the White House?? I didn't see the US game but video shame managed to keep france in the later game. He ruled a no try to England because of a foot in touch and the commentators were flabbergasted...Hopefully he doesnt have the NZ Eng semi next week...
Johnno
Guest
The 1st half when the yanks were down in the aussies 22, and looked like scoring, all tackle count the roos were offside, they went up so fast, Perenara blind and a hopeless ref, didn't give the tomahawks a penalty, all game the roos were off side in that opening 20, no doubt the roos would of won, but Perenara is a crap ref, he also took the tomahawks so far back at each tackle was almost like 12 metres. But the roos moved up so fast they were off side all 1st half.
oikee
Guest
Agree, and at the very least, the Kangaroos gave them a good walloping. I love how the Kangaroos give no minnow nation any sympathy. They just beat the living daylights outta ya. Good stuff. The Roos looked quite impressive really, even the crowd were enjoying the skills. I loved the power of Hayne and Inglis, the speed of Morris. No good pretending, just show them what you have to beat. It is now up to someone in America, show them the tape, and let them get on with building a team who can at least come with-in a whisker of the Best League players on the planet. hehe
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Relax champ. I'm a big fan of the American rugby league but that match lacked the 'something' that the other minnow-super power matches had. I'm not sure what though.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
I won't completely disagree with you as there were periods where Australia seemed out of sorts. Perhaps it was the crowd that fooled me? I really hope things work out for them in the US. It would be great if they could have a strong enough league to make some waves amongst the 2nd tier nations.
I'mastormtrooper2
Guest
Rugby League in the USA is a relatively "new development" ... The team was made up of players from the USA league competition and a few NRL players, way past their best ... GIVE THEM SOME CREDIT ... They where faced with an opposition of very fit, very experienced, individual champions touted the best in the world, and, if you believe the media, are favourites to win the competition ... Who knows if that will be fact ??? Having the USA in the compeitiion is solely to expand the game and interestt in the sport ... That game was aired lived to the White House, and no doubt on a USA sports channel ... These things have to starts somewhere, because if not, nothing is surer, rugby league won't prosper ... Give it up to the USA for showing their braver hearts and giving it their best shot - There where some very good tackles and their structure was quite good, however, their go forward was not perfected against the solid defensive strategies of the Aussies ... As long as the Australian's don't let their try scoring feit last night go to their heads, because they will have to face a much better defensive and attacking team in the final ... I hope that Billy Slater at least has the Gods on his side this week, and can join his team mates ... :-/
Cathar Treize
Roar Guru
Merk51, there are people out there for whom that is not an option, hate & stereotyping is their agenda. Sad but true.
Merk51
Roar Rookie
Exactly, People like to throw stones from a distance. Lets not forget that the NRL didn't start with thousands upon thousands of supporters (hell some grounds still struggle to get a crowd). And let's not forget the New Zealand RL Comp is still struggling to have an effective establishment. Instead of sitting back bagging the AMNRL and USARL we should be attempting to support them, coming up with ways they could do better etc, and joining in on online discussions such as this so if the officials stumble across it one day they may actually see some great ideas to improve. The two bodies AMNRL and USARL need to come together put the differences behind them and come together for the good of Rugby League in the country.
Merk51
Roar Rookie
In my opinion I think this may be a little harsh. The USA played well for 50 minutes of the match, some great defense, some great attack, and some great football - however there were like two or three 10 minute periods where they seemed to switch off and during those periods Australia would run in 2-3-4 quick tries. I am with you though that it is time that the two domestic leagues sorted out their differences. If the AMNRL and USARL could sort it out come together, for the better of the sport in the country and if as my article said just a handful of children take up the game due to the performance of the team at this RLWC then in years to come these guys could truly be proper contenders in years to come.
Merk51
Roar Rookie
To be fair look at many of the teams in the RLWC outside of Australia, England and New Zealand and the bulk of them were from the NRL, NSW Cup or QLD Cup. Due to the ongoing battle between the AMNRL and USARL and the fact the RLIF only recognize AMNRL then the players who turn out for USARL were ineligible to play. As mentioned look at the other teams outside the top three, you see 120 other NRL, NSW Cup or QLD Cup players running around for them. I think everyone should be happy with the performance, and maybe their performance here may force hte AMNRL and USARL to come together for the best of the game in their country, it could also encourage some school children to take up the game. While EagleTag is based on OzTag (with the silly tags you rip off) I think with the closeness that the two games have they could be better to turn EagleTag into more like proper Touch Football, as that has more of the fundamentals of the game of Rugby League. Overall however I do think everyone should be happy with the performance of the USA Tomahawks.