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The USA Hawks have qualified for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup after defeating rivals Canada Wolverines 34-24 at Hodges Stadium, Jacksonville.
It comes after the Americas qualifying tournament wrapped up on Saturday in Florida with the three-team competition featuring the USA, Canada and fan favourites Jamaica Reggae Warriors.
The first game went to the Hawks after the Brian McDermott-led nation held on to defeat Jamaica 20-14 in Jacksonville.
RUGBY LEAGUE WORLD CUP FIXTURES
The Hawks started strong in the opening 20 minutes crossing for two tries through prop Mark Offerdahl and winger Taylor Howden.
The Reggae Warriors soon hit back, however, after Keighley Cougars star Ross Peltier crossed after 30 minutes. But what followed were two consecutive sin-bins.
Sam Carson was sin-binned at the 33-minute mark for attacking the legs of a kicker, with Omari Caro soon following after an off-the-ball incident just before the half-time siren.
The drama at the end of the first half was left behind once the second phase got underway with the Hawks taking advantage of their extra man and crossing through Danny Howard. Joel Farrell scored shortly after but just five minutes later American fullback Corey Makelim put his country further in front after some brilliant ball work.
The Reggae Warriors weren’t about to give up with Peltier scoring his second try with just two minutes left on the clock, but it wasn’t enough in the end with the USA going away with a win.
Jamaica returned four days later to meet Canada in DeLand with the Reggae Warriors starting strong.
Lock forward Lamont Bryan kicked off proceedings with a try in the 21st minute with Joe Brown following and putting the pressure on Canada to come back from 12-0 down at half-time.
Fullback Wayne Rettie extended the Reggae Warriors’ lead before Sunshine Coast Falcons recruit and star Canadian Ryley Jacks put the Wolverines in the game through a 63rd minute try after Jamaican Tyrone Rowe was sin-binned.
The score remained at 18-6 until four minutes to go when Robin Legault kept Canada’s tournament hopes alive by scoring.
Legault backed up just a minute before the siren sounded to level the scores at 18-18 and give Canada a chance at qualifying for their first World Cup.
A large, passionate crowd turned out at Jacksonville for the final game of the qualifying tournament and the game that followed was closer than expected.
Canada started off slow which saw Central Florida winger Taylor Alley cross for the Hawks and open scoring.
The Hawks crossed again just minutes later through Alley with Valley Warriors star Adam Timler following by making his way to the try line only for the attempt to be called back after he was found to have stepped in touch.
The momentum stayed with the Canadians after Jamie Kelly found his way under the posts to close the gap to just two points at 8-6 to the Hawks.
Kelly came close again but was denied due to a forward pass, however Jacks ensured the visitors took the lead by scoring two tries just before half-time to put the Wolverines in front 18-14 at the break. The only other hiccup came with four minutes remaining in the first half after a defensive misunderstanding due to American football posts cost Canada a try.
Alley soon crossed once again to level the scores at 18-a-piece before he went over on the right wing 20 minutes later to put the hosts in front. Alley continued his dominance by scoring another two tries.
The Hawks’ streak was broken when Jacks got a hat-trick after scoring with just over 10 minutes remaining but Canada couldn’t hold on. The Hawks came out victorious 34-24.
Just three spots remain with the European qualifying to take place in October and November 2016. Wales, Serbia and Italy will compete against one another in Group A while Russia, Ireland and Spain go at it in Group B.
The winners will go through with the runner-ups from each group competing for the final slot.
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