United States men's national rugby league team explained

United States men's national rugby league team should not be confused with United States national rugby union team.

United States
Badge:USA_eagles_rugby_league_logo.png
Badge Size:180px
Nickname:Hawks
Governing Body:USA Rugby League
Region:Americas Rugby League
Coach:Sean Rutgerson
Most Caps:Gary Kerkorian (17)
Top Point-Scorer:Gary Kerkorian (171)
Top Try-Scorer:Taylor Alley
Alvin Kirkland (17)
Home Stadium:Hodges Stadium
Rlif Rank:(Current) 31st
(Highest Rank 2014) 9th
(Lowest Rank 2023) 38
Pattern La1:_blackredshoulders
Pattern B1:_thindkbluesides
Pattern Ra1:_blackredshoulders
Leftarm1:FFFFFF
Body1:FFFFFF
Rightarm1:FFFFFF
Shorts1:000080
Socks1:FF0000
First International: 31–0
(Toulouse, France; October 1954)
Largest Win: 6–78
(Jacksonville, U.S.; June 27, 2003)
Largest Loss: 110–0
(Orlando, U.S.; 2000)
World Cup Apps:2
World Cup First:2013
World Cup Best:Quarterfinals (2013)

The United States national rugby league team represents the United States in international rugby league competitions. The team is managed by the USA Rugby League (USARL).

The United States competed with little success in some international games during the 1950s, but did not return to consistent competition until 1987. Following the establishment of the American National Rugby League (AMNRL) in 1997, the team began to participate in more regular international competition. They reached the quarterfinals of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup. In 2014, the USARL became the national governing body for rugby league in the United States.

History

See also: Rugby league in the United States.

Early years

One of the earliest attempts to introduce rugby league to the United States was in 1953, when wrestling promoter, Mike Dimitro was asked to organize an American rugby league tour of Australia and New Zealand.[1]

The team, known as the American All-Stars, was given a huge schedule that included 26 matches against Australian and New Zealand sides. None of the 22 American players had played rugby league before the tour, and they presented themselves in American football-like attire early on in the tournament. The team won six games and tied two.

Their second match of the tour, a 52–25 loss to a Sydney side, drew a crowd of 65,453 at the Sydney Cricket Ground.[2] [3]
Three days later a crowd of 32,554 at the SCG watched New South Wales defeat the Americans 62–41.[4] After a consistent lack of competition, crowds were reasonable, but never reached the great height that the match at the SCG did.

The tour did not result in any meaningful growth for American rugby league. However, Mike Dimitro did not give up; he was able to organize two exhibitions against Australia and New Zealand in California that did not turn out to be a big success.

1987–1999: Revival

In an attempt boost rugby league's popularity in America, a 1987 State of Origin series match was held in the Long Beach, California.[5] The Blues won 30–18 in front of 12,349 at Veterans Memorial Stadium.[5] That same year the United States played their first international game since 1954 against Canada. The also competed as the USA Patriots in the Rugby League World Sevens tournaments between 1992 and 1997.[5]

In 1997 Super League America formed to organize a national team, establish an amateur domestic competition, and build the sport in the United States.[6] The organization was initially established by Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation in an attempt to spread rugby league to the United States.[7] The United States Tomahawks warmed up for the 2000 Rugby League Emerging Nations Tournament with a three-match tour of New South Wales, Australia. On Friday August 11, they took on Forster XIII, drawn from Forster's two clubs, the Hawks and the Dragons. The Americans were defeated 32–12. They also played the South Sydney Rabbitohs at the old Redfern Oval during Souths' appeal to return to the Australian NRL.

2000–2010: Regular competition

In 2001, as a response to the September 11 attacks, the AMNRL set up a rugby league match between local U.S. born players (USA All Stars) and AMNRL players who were born overseas (World Allies All Stars). The match was won by the USA All Stars 27–26. Proceeds from the game were donated to the Red Cross to help with cleanup operations. Since 2002, the Tomahawks have been playing regular international competition in the United States. In 2002, the United States were defeated by Russia 54–10 in front of over 5,000 spectators in Moscow.

On December 1, 2004, the Tomahawks played their first ever international game against the Australian Kangaroos, the reigning World Cup champions.[5] The game was known as the Liberty Bell Cup and was played at Franklin Field at the University of Pennsylvania and was played on a grid iron size synthetic field (Fox Sports Australia commentators Warren Smith and former Australian captain Laurie Daley reported that the Kangaroos were not too enthused about playing on the synthetic turf). It was also played in 20 minute quarters rather than the normal 40 minute halves. The Tomahawks shocked the Australians by quickly racing to a 12-0 lead in the first quarter. A third converted try just 4 minutes into the 2nd quarter saw Americans lead by the unbelievable score of 18-0 until replacement forward Petero Civoniceva sent fullback Matthew Bowen on a 60-meter run to score under the posts with 5 minutes remaining in the first half. However, a fourth converted try saw the home side lead by the World Champions 24-6 at half time.[5] The Americans actually led for most of the game until the Kangaroos' superior fitness saw them rally in the last quarter of the game to win 36–24.[5] Although they lost the game, many consider this to be the American's finest moment in international rugby league competition.[5]

In October 2006, the U.S. were placed in a four team Atlantic World Cup qualifying pool along with South Africa, West Indies and Japan. South Africa and the West Indies withdrew from qualifying so therefore the group was reduced to a single game between the U.S. and Japan which the U.S. won 54–18. They then advanced to play Samoa in the Repechage Semi Final where they lost 42–10 to Samoa. Despite playing well against Samoa and coming within two games of qualifying for the World Cup, the United States were dropped from 14th down to 15th place when the new world rankings were released after the tournament.

In 2009 and 2010 the United States hosted other emerging North American teams in the Atlantic Cup.[8]

2011–2013: First World Cup

In 2011, seven teams in the AMNRL domestic competition broke away to form the USA Rugby League. The AMNRL denied selection to players affiliated with USARL teams, including players who had been selected for the Tomahawks previously.[9]

In 2012, the U.S. entered World Cup qualifying for the second time in another bid to qualify for their first World Cup in 2013. They began with a comprehensive 40–4 victory over the South Africa in Philadelphia,[10] and followed it up with a 40–4 victory over Jamaica to qualify for the 2013 Rugby League World Cup for the first time.[11]

The Tomahawks won a warm-up match against 4th-ranked France, defeating them 22–18 in Toulouse in the U.S. best victory to date.[12]

In the finals, they were drawn in a group with the Cook Islands and Wales as well as an inter-group game against Scotland. They began by beating the Cook Islands 32–0[13] and then Wales 24–16,[14] before losing 22–8 to Scotland, although they still ended up winning their group.[15] As group winners, they advanced to the quarter finals to face Australia, losing 62-0 to be eliminated from the tournament.

2014–present: USARL

Following the World Cup, the national team was put on hiatus while the governance dispute between the AMNRL and the USARL was resolved. The team subsequently lost the right to automatic qualification for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup. In November 2014, stewardship of the national team was transferred to the USARL, and the team was rebranded from Tomahawks to Hawks.[16] Brian McDermott was subsequently appointed head coach[17] and his first job was to help the U.S. re-secure the World Cup qualification that they first won four years earlier. The team performed the qualification tournament, held in the United States, in December 2015. The team qualified for their second consecutive World Cup after winning both their matches.

The United States were drawn in a tough group with Fiji, Italy and Papua New Guinea. They lost their first game against Fiji 58-12, following it up with a 46-0 thumping by Italy and finally losing 64-0 in their final pool game against Papua New Guinea.[18] [19]

Coaching history

No.NameYearsGWLD%
align=right 1align=left 1953align=right 1align=right 0align=right 1align=right 0align=right 0
align=right 2align=left Rob Balachandran align=right align=right align=right align=right align=right
align=right 3align=left 1993align=right 1align=right 1align=right 0align=right 0align=right 100
align=right 4align=left 1993align=right 1align=right 1align=right 0align=right 0align=right 100
align=right 5align=left 1994–1995align=right 2align=right 1align=right 1align=right 0align=right 50
align=right 6align=left 1995align=right 1align=right 0align=right 1align=right 0align=right 0
align=right 7align=left 1999align=right 3align=right 2align=right 1align=right 0align=right 67
align=right 8align=left 2001align=right 1align=right 1align=right 0align=right 0align=right 100
align=right 9align=left 2002align=right 1align=right 1align=right 0align=right 0align=right 100
align=right 10align=left 2004align=right 1align=right 0align=right 1align=right 0align=right 0
align=right 11align=left 2009align=right 1align=right 1align=right 0align=right 0align=right 100
align=right 12align=left 2011align=right 1align=right 0align=right 1align=right 0align=right 0
align=right 13align=left 2011align=right 1align=right 0align=right 1align=right 0align=right 0
align=right 14align=left 2011align=right 1align=right 1align=right 0align=right 0align=right 100
align=right 15align=left 2012–2013align=right 4align=right 3align=right 1align=right 0align=right 75
align=right 16align=left 2013align=right align=right align=right align=right align=right
align=right 17align=left 2013–2014align=right 6align=right 3align=right 3align=right 0align=right 50
align=right 18align=left 2015align=right 2align=right 0align=right 2align=right 0align=right 0
align=right 19align=left 2015align=right 2align=right 2align=right 0align=right 0align=right 100
align=right 20align=left 2016align=right 2align=right 2align=right 0align=right 0align=right 100
align=right 21align=left 2017align=right 2align=right 2align=right 0align=right 0align=right 100
align=right 22align=left 2017align=right 3align=right 0align=right 3align=right 0align=right 0
align=right 23align=left 2018align=right 2align=right 1align=right 0align=right 1align=right 50
align=right 24align=left Brent Richardson2018–2019align=right 2align=right 0align=right 2align=right 0align=right 0
align=right 25align=left 2019–presentalign=right align=right align=right align=right align=right

Current squad

Head coach: Sean Rutgerson

Squad selected for the 2019 Rugby League World Cup 9s:

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Club
October 18, 2019 Brooklyn Kings
October 18, 2019 Northern Virginia Eagles
Brooklyn Kings
October 18, 2019 Brooklyn Kings
October 18, 2019 Northern Pride
October 18, 2019 Hull F.C.
The Entrance Tigers
October 18, 2019 Wests Mitchelton Panthers
Jacksonville Axemen
October 18, 2019 Wentworthville Magpies
Jacksonville Axemen
October 18, 2019 Sheffield Eagles
October 18, 2019 Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
October 18, 2019 Goondiwindi Boars
October 18, 2019 Central Queensland Capras
October 18, 2019 Brooklyn Kings
October 18, 2019 Brooklyn Kings
October 18, 2019 Toulouse Olympique
October 18, 2019 Souths Logan Magpies
October 18, 2019 Jacksonville Axemen
Squad selected for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup qualifiers:[20]

Competitive record

See also: United States national rugby league team results.

U.S. national side's competitive record up to date as of 3 March 2024.[21]

OpponentMatchesWonDrawnLostWin %ForAgainstDifference
2 0 0 2 % 24 98 –74
28 22 1 5 % 914 448 +466
1 1 0 0 % 62 0 +62
3 1 0 2 % 56 122 –66
1 0 0 1 % 0 110 –110
1 0 0 1 % 12 58 –46
2 1 0 1 % 22 49 –27
2 0 0 2 % 38 98 –60
Ireland A7 4 0 3 % 146 118 +28
3 0 0 3 % 22 120 –98
9 7 0 2 % 299 144 +155
5 5 0 0 % 252 44 +208
1 0 0 1 % 8 62 –54
1 1 0 0 % 50 10 +40
1 0 0 1 % 23 40 –17
1 0 0 1 % 0 64 –64
5 0 0 5 % 70 209 –139
2 1 0 1 % 28 54 –26
2 0 0 2 % 24 60 +36
1 1 0 0 % 40 4 +36
1 0 0 1 % 20 28 –8
3 1 0 2 % 38 174 –136
Total8245136% 2148 2114 +34

World Cup

See main article: Rugby League World Cup. The U.S. have competed in 2 World Cups. In 2007 they entered into qualifying for the 2008 World Cup but were unsuccessful. However, they qualified for the following 2013 World Cup and reached the quarter finals.

Rugby League World Cup Record
YearResultPosition
1954did not participate
1957
1960
1968
1970
1972
1975
1977
1985–88
1989–92
1995
2000did not qualify
2008
2013Quarter final5th420264122
2017Group Stage14th300312168
2021did not qualify
2026TBD

Colonial Cup

See main article: Colonial Cup (rugby league). The Colonial Cup is an international Cup competition between the U.S. and Canada.

Colonial Cup Record
YearResult
2010background=goldWinners1100
2011background=goldWinners2101
2012background=goldWinners2200
2013background=goldWinners4301
2014Runners up1001
2015Runners up3102
2016background=goldWinners2200
2017background=goldWinners1100
2024background=goldDraw1010

World Nines results

World Sevens results

Student results

Other representative results

Stadium

Since 2009, the U.S. have primarily used Hodges Stadium in Jacksonville to host international rugby league matches.[22] Garthwaite Stadium in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania has also hosted several international rugby league fixtures.

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Book: Willacy, Gavin. No helmets required : the remarkable story of the American All Stars. 2018 . Durrington : Pitch Publishing Ltd.
  2. News: Amazing accuracy in American pitch-pass - Pidding's cricket score of 34 points against America. . Sydney . 31 May 1953 . 27 Jan 2021 . 59 . National Library of Australia. Crawford. George .
  3. News: 64,953 Fans Flock To See League'S Yankee Doodle Dandies. . Sydney . 31 May 1953 . 27 Jan 2021 . 28 . National Library of Australia. Mathers. Jim.
  4. News: N.S.W. Players Hold Off As Game Finishes In Farce. . Sydney . 2 Jun 1953 . 5 Feb 2021 . 21 . National Library of Australia. Corbett. W.F..
  5. Web site: USA Tomahawks: A brief history of American rugby league . Daily telegraph . 13 March 2024.
  6. News: Room for Rugby . Jacksonville Business Journal. December 13, 1999. January 24, 2011.
  7. News: Murdoch's Money Creating A U.S. Toehold For Rugby . Christopher K. Hepp . . September 18, 1998. August 26, 2011.
  8. News: Atlantic Cup Rugby Tournament . Matthew Wicks. The Florida Times-Union. November 20, 2010. August 29, 2011.
  9. Web site: AJ talks to the USARL key players about risks, challenges and success . A. J. Carr . August 23, 2011 . a-teamsport.com . August 29, 2011.
  10. Web site: RLEF . Rlef.eu.com . October 15, 2011 . December 10, 2011.
  11. News: Paul. Burrowes. Rugby players encouraged despite whipping by USA. October 30, 2011. Jamaica Observer. October 28, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20111029142848/http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sports/Rugby-players-encouraged-despite-whipping-by-USA_10015470. October 29, 2011. dead. mdy-all.
  12. Web site: Andy Wilson . Rugby League World Cup 2013: USA shock France in warm-up | Sport . October 18, 2013 . theguardian.com . 2013-11-16.
  13. Web site: GMT . BBC Sport - Rugby League World Cup: USA 32-20 Cook Islands . Bbc.co.uk . 2013-10-30 . 2013-11-16.
  14. Web site: Williams . Aled . BBC Sport - Rugby League World Cup 2013: United States shock Wales . Bbc.co.uk . 2013-11-03 . 2013-11-16.
  15. Web site: Cartwright . Phil . BBC Sport - Rugby League World Cup 2013: Scotland 22-8 USA . Bbc.co.uk . 2013-11-07 . 2013-11-16.
  16. Web site: Hawks swoop in for new USA National Team Name . December 9, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150529173837/http://www.usarl.com/2015/05/hawks-swoop-in-for-new-usa-national-team-name/ . May 29, 2015 . dead. mdy-all .
  17. http://www.loverugbyleague.com/news_18989-brian-mcdermott-to-coach-usa-hawks.html Brian McDermott to coach USA Hawks
  18. Web site: Rugby League World Cup live scores: PNG v USA live updates, live blog. November 12, 2017 .
  19. Web site: RLWC 2017: Italy exorcise demons in huge World Cup win over USA . November 5, 2017 .
  20. Web site: USA announce train on squad for Americas Championship . rlwc2021.com . 18 October 2018.
  21. Web site: Head to Head . Rugby League Project . 10 December 2023.
  22. Web site: Hodges Stadium . Rugby League Project . 24 April 2021.

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