In praise of the Americans.

[roopy]

Everything was stacked in their favour - but when it came right down to it, guys like Mains, Preston, Brazier, etc etc etc all had to be able to put a tackle on guys like Mason, O'Meley, Minichello etc - and they bloody well showed the world they can do it (I for one didn't think they had a snowballs hope in hell).
The Americans still have a lot to learn - but they can't be considered a joke anymore.

To Tomahawk - I didn't reply to your Pm the other day because i thought you were in far a huge letdown when the game was played - but you were right - the Yanks made a serious game of it.

 

[bulldogs = #1]

good work america. they played with loads of heart.. smith for them was pretty good and im interested to see how that rated and how interest in rugby league in america is after that game.

 

[Bazal]

Great effort by the Yanks, Matt Petersen was a huge surprise at five-eighth, good on him for leading the massively enthusiastic Tomahawks around. Nate Smith, Hollingsworth and Mains were also standouts and would not IMO look out of place in an NRL side at Premier League level, wirth the ability definitely to crack the top grade. Also, the sideline commentator was saying that ppl he spoke to in th crowd, who were watching their first game, were loving it and were definitely hooked. Good news for rugby league.

 

[chileman]

Good for the game and for the section as well with hopefully more traffic....right now there is: Users browsing this forum: Bazal, brissyleaguedude, bulldogs = #1, chileman, coldhardbitch, CycloneSteve, General Knight, girvie, leaguerules, legend, lolesi, Munky, nqboy, pantherz9103, ryan1, Stevo_G

 

[PARRA_FAN]

To the person that came up with the idea of playing USA .

This was a great contest, I was surprised at the start of the match yet happy at the same time. We all expected a 100 point scoreline, but instead there was only 12 points in it. I know the Australias probably didnt play their best, but full credit to the Americans for showing some spirit and came up with some good defence. This would hopefully improve the game itself over in America with a scoreline like that and some good football shown by the Australians. I liked some of the Americans Hollingsworth, Brazier, JC (the prop forward, forgot his last name) and Mains. Petersen played well and full credit to him and Costin going over to help the locals out.

Hopefully they'll be more matches between the two nations. Who said International football was struggling, this has been the best year since 1994.

Wonder what the next minor nation would be, hopefully Russia.

By the way what would this match be classed as, test match or just an international match. Hopefully it'll be in the books in the future.

 

[Jono078]

And me .

Yeah I thought US of A played great, the reason I say great is because I was expecting them to give in and let Aus stack on 80+.

And atm im just trying to count how many times Vossy mentioned the USA hooker ? lol, Seems like a workhorse.

 

[General Knight]

Congrats to the USA team for the effort that they put into the game, although I still didnt like the idea of playing league on a NFL field (i know there was no other option) and the fact that it was a modified game ie. 4 quarters and unlimited interchanges. Hopefully this doesnt become a permanent thing and they eventually change this. Is it possible for another version of football to arise?

 

[Costaki]

i take my hat off to america.

this game could have only done good this 4 american league

 

[Big Bunny]

I don't believe that Australia showed the US team the respect that they deserved in the first half, but in saying that I also feel that the Tomahawks did a lot to gain that respect through hard work and showing the Aussies that they were there to play and play well. My expectations for the US were easily passed and they deserve full credit for the boost they have given rugby league internationally by their fine display. A switched on Australian team would have shown a different side to this match, but the Americans were all class and accounted for themselves exceptionally. David Nui's pride should know no bounds after his boys performance today.

Well done Tomahawks.

 

[***MH***]

Im dissappointed that lockeyer exploited the short sidelines from the kickoffs to regather possession. I know it's smart football but it was a cowardly act to do so.

 

[Dakink]

How was the atmosphere at the game Tomahawk?

What was the reaction from the stand and the talk afterwards?

 

[Jono078]

I also hated that, I know they probably wanted the easier way out from this long season, but you wouldnt think a sid Like Aus would need to make the 18th ranked team have added mental pressure from that.

 

[westie]

I believe the USA played an exceptionally good game of football for a team made up vastly of amatuers. The game plan was brilliant and executed to perfection.

Australia beat GB through their offloads. The Yanks virtually shut down all Australian offloads through 3, 4 and 5 man tackles. The only exception was the Bowen try from a Civo offload. This was due to the Americans not being able to form a defensive line resulting from their inferior fitness. If the American players could match the Aussies' fitness levels we might have seen a different result.

The USA also lacked a play maker. Costin's kicks were awesome however the Yanks often lacked direction around the play the ball often resorting to simple one out hit-ups. This worked well however a play maker would have given another option. America also lacked close to the line often scoring only through inspiration. A short ball or two wouldnt have gone astray inside the Aussie 20.

All in all a great result for America and international RL. The USA really should be the number 1 country in 2 or 3 decades. The population and money over there is simply an enormous advantage.

 

[PB]

I have said all i will say about the Aussies (as i continue to watch the 2nd half on tape). but the Americans can hold their heads up high. Hopefully they weren't offended by the actions of the Aussies. And hopefully plenty of viewers stuck with the game in the U.S also. Would like to have seen more people there, through some form of initative, especially the local college students....

 

[Victor Trumper]

Before the game the only unkown I, and I assume many would have had, was wether it would be over or just below a 100 points to the roos. I whole heartedly apologise to the US side. They done extremely well and should be proud of the effort. Their defence effort was top class, and it showed that this meant alot to the players involved.

 

[Jono078]

The hooker I was talking about is Marcus Vassilakopoulos, He made the most tackles in the game (34 only missed 1) and I reckon he played verywell for a an international player who woulnt get much practice I guess.

He made 60 metres for 10 hitups, 1 kick. I think He could go good down here or in England to improve on his skills.

 

[NPK]

Whenever the commentator said Vassilakopoulos, it sounded to me like Staphylococcus :lol:

 

[The Observer]

Vassilakopoulos made his debut in FG for the Leeds Rhinos in England, and played for Erina in the Jim Beam Cup down here.

 

[Hurriflatch]

As far as the rules go I think that if the US continues to improve then then it will become a case where rules do get to a tage where it is full international set of rules.

If there is another game next year then lets say unlimited interchange but only 4. then 2-3 years after that 12-4 rule.

 

[eels_fan]

I kinda felt like we were cheating by constantly driving the ball to the sidelines from the kick off.. once yes, maybe twice, but five times...your exploiting a weakness in the field not your opposition...in the end a great game....
Congrats to the USA led very well by Petersen...