NRL/ESL players eligible for the USA Tomahawks

[The Observer]

Thanks to the October edition of RLW. Some players have already represented the USA in tournaments like RLWC 2000

http://www.rugby-league-world.com/2000/WorldCup/emergingnations/squads.htm

but others came as a surprise:

1. Matt Petersen (Parramatta Eels)
2. Alf Duncan (Newtown Jets)
3. Justin Smith (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
4. Vila Matautia (Doncaster Dragons, ex St Helens)
5. Shaun Wyvill (Skirlaugh)
6. Marcus Vassilakopoulos (Erina, ex Leeds Rhinos)
7. David Niu (Glen Mills, ex St George Dragons)
13. Shane Millard (London Broncos)
12. Steele Retchless (London Broncos)
11. Clint Newton (Newcastle Knights) - born in South Carolina, USA
10. Julian O'Neill (Widnes Vikings) - the Kiwi not the Aussie player (there are two with the same name)
9. Ian Mortimer (Sydney Roosters) - related to the famous RL Mortimers
8. James Gannon (Huddersfield Giants, ex Newcastle Knights & Balmain)

14. Steve Watene (North Sydney Bears) (prop)
15. Stuart Pierce (ex Cronulla Sharks) - I read that he qualifies because his wife has a green card?!?!?! (prop)
16. Maea David (Doncaster Dragons?) (backrower/hooker)
Also props and brothers Esene and Joe Faimalo (English National League clubs), ex-Auckland Warriors prop Frank Watene

I dare say the Faimalo brothers, the Watene brothers, O'Neill, Matautia and David have a parent and/or grandparent(s) that were born in American Samoa, which is a territory of the USA.

I didn't know about Justin Smith and Matt Petersen having US roots. Smith and Duncan are two players with Aboriginal and American background.

 

[dimitri]

thats an impressive team

 

[roopy]

Matt Petersen has a very interesting past, but I hadn't heard of an American link.
He started playing league in Western Australia and ended up at the Newcastle Knights as a raw 22 year old still learning the game. He was cut by the Knights at age 23 and went to the Cowboys where he wasn't happy and asked for release, and has gone from strength to strength since joining Parramatta. He is in his mid twenties now and still learning really.
His late entry into the game could be a model for American players, who will also not have the benefit of playing the game at a high level as juniors.

 

[roopy]

I wonder how many 'real' Americans would make the best side possible?

 

[roopy]

Just thought this thread deserves a look - in light of the upcomming game against the Kangaroos.

Clint Newton will be fit for the trial against the Cowboys in a few weeks - so i would say he will be the best American born player available soon.

 

[davi]

Interestingly USA coach Brian McDermott slammed the USA 2013 squad which was largely made up of NRL ring ins. He suggests that it was a short-term sugar hit that did nothing for the long-term development of Rugby League in USA.

USA aim for Cup legacy

The USA were considered the feel-good story of the 2013 World Cup when they marched to the quarterfinals with a side made up mainly of Australian based players.

However the Tomahawks current coach Brian McDermott says that tournament was anything but a success for rugby league in the States, slamming the failure to create a legacy with American-based personnel.

“We could have done something different in picking a squad which would create more headlines but what legacy would it leave for us - it would be limited,” he said.

“We could fiddle with their passports and draft in bigger names but to get them to play for us at the expense of USA boys is the wrong way of doing it.

“They were one of the stories of the 2013 tournament, but there was no legacy.

“None of the players went back to America, no coaches went back to America, no one was able to go over there and say ‘this is what it is about’.

“If we are going to be pragmatic about it, we have to make the World Cup and the next one after that a really strong one for us.”

https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nr...h/news-story/c4c826be1df12c82ceed6e9973f3485d

 

[adamkungl]

Lol dat bump tho