Wikipedia

United States men's national rugby league team

Not to be confused with United States national rugby union team.
This article is about the men's team. For the women's team, see United States women's national rugby league team.

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).

United States
Badge of United States team
Team information
NicknameHawks
Governing bodyUSA Rugby League
RegionAmericas Rugby League
Head coachSean Rutgerson
Most capsGary Kerkorian (17)
Top try-scorerTaylor Alley
Alvin Kirkland (17)
Top point-scorerGary Kerkorian (171)
Home stadiumHodges Stadium
IRL ranking(Current) 31st
(Highest Rank 2014) 9th
(Lowest Rank 2023) 38th
Uniforms
First colours
Team results
First international
 France 31–0 United States 
(Toulouse, France; October 1954)
Biggest win
 Japan 6–78 United States 
(Jacksonville, U.S.; June 27, 2003)
Biggest defeat
 England 110–0 United States 
(Orlando, U.S.; 2000)
World Cup
Appearances2 (first time in 2013)
Best resultQuarterfinals (2013)

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

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See also: Rugby league in the United States

Early years

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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

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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

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2004 U.S. team shirt
 
Team badge used until 2010

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).[citation needed] 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.[citation needed] 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

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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

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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

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See also: Category:United States national rugby league team coaches
No. Name Years G W L D %
1   Norm Robinson 1953 1 0 1 0 0
2   Rob Balachandran
3   Bob Brhel 1993 1 1 0 0 100
4   Mike Sutila 1993 1 1 0 0 100
5   Greg Gerard 1994 2 1 1 0 50
6   David Niu 1996 1 0 1 0 0
7   Shane Millard 1999 3 2 1 0 66.7
8   Matthew Elliott 2001 1 1 0 0 100
9   Bill Hansbury 2002 1 0 1 0 100
10   John Cartwright 2004 1 0 1 0 0
11   David Niu 2009 1 1 0 0 100
12   Matthew Elliott 2011 1 0 1 0 0
13   David Niu 2011 1 0 1 0 0
14   Matthew Elliott 2011 2 2 0 0 100
15   Ben Kelly 2013 4 3 1 0 75
16   Brian Smith 2013 0 0 0 0 0
17   Terry Matterson 2013–2014 4 2 2 0 50
18   Peter Illfield 2015 2 0 2 0 0
19   Brian McDermott 2015 2 2 0 0 100
20   Robin Peers &
  Dustin Cooper 		2016 1 1 0 0 100
21   Sean Rutgerson 2017 2 2 0 0 100
22   Brian McDermott 2017 3 0 3 0 0
23   Sean Rutgerson 2018 2 1 1 0 50
24   Brent Richardson 2019 1 0 1 0 0
25   Sean Rutgerson 2019–present 2 0 1 1 0

Current squad

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See also: Category:United States national rugby league team players

Head coach:   Sean Rutgerson

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

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Club
BK Brandon Anderson (1988-12-29)December 29, 1988 (aged 30)   Brooklyn Kings
BK Ryan Burroughs (1991-08-26)August 26, 1991 (aged 28)   Northern Virginia Eagles
FW Brock Davies   Brooklyn Kings
FW Connor Donehue (1996-05-09)May 9, 1996 (aged 23)   Brooklyn Kings
FW Joe Eichner (1991-10-09)October 9, 1991 (aged 28)   Northern Pride
BK Bureta Faraimo (1990-07-16)July 16, 1990 (aged 29)   Hull F.C.
BK Jay Florimo   The Entrance Tigers
BK Kristian Freed (1987-07-04)July 4, 1987 (aged 32)   Wests Mitchelton Panthers
FW Khalial Harris   Jacksonville Axemen
FW Daniel Howard (1984-12-13)December 13, 1984 (aged 34)   Wentworthville Magpies
BK Charlie Jones   Jacksonville Axemen
BK Corey Makelim (1994-01-06)January 6, 1994 (aged 25)   Sheffield Eagles
BK Ronaldo Mulitalo (1999-11-17)November 17, 1999 (aged 19)   Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
FW Mark Offerdahl (1987-10-15)October 15, 1987 (aged 32)   Goondiwindi Boars
FW Eddy Pettybourne (1988-02-13)February 13, 1988 (aged 31)   Central Queensland Capras
FW Jamil Robinson (1991-08-21)August 21, 1991 (aged 28)   Brooklyn Kings
BK Marcus Satavu (1988-11-22)November 22, 1988 (aged 30)   Brooklyn Kings
BK Junior Vaivai (1990-01-18)January 18, 1990 (aged 29)   Toulouse Olympique
FW Jerome Veve (1997-04-02)April 2, 1997 (aged 22)   Souths Logan Magpies
BK David Washington (1990-09-23)September 23, 1990 (aged 29)   Jacksonville Axemen

Squad selected for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup qualifiers:[20]

Competitive record

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Main article: List of United States national rugby league team results

Overall and IRL Rankings

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IRL Men's World Rankings
Official rankings as of 30 June 2024
Rank Change Team Pts %
1     Australia 100
2     New Zealand 82
3     England 80
4     Samoa 67
5     Tonga 49
6   1   Fiji 47
7   1   Papua New Guinea 46
8     France 28
9     Lebanon 22
10     Cook Islands 20
11     Serbia 19
12     Netherlands 17
13     Italy 15
14   1   Greece 15
15   1   Malta 14
16     Ireland 14
17     Wales 13
18     Jamaica 10
19     Scotland 9
20     Ukraine 7
21     Czech Republic 7
22     Germany 6
23   3   Chile 6
24     Poland 6
25   3   Norway 6
26   1   Kenya 5
27   4   Philippines 5
28   3   South Africa 4
29     Nigeria 4
30     Ghana 4
31   2   United States 4
32   4   Montenegro 4
33   2   Brazil 3
34   2   Turkey 3
35   7   North Macedonia 3
36   2   Bulgaria 3
37   2   Cameroon 2
38   1   Spain 2
39   1   Japan 1
40   1   Albania 1
41   5   Canada 1
42   2   Colombia 1
43   2   El Salvador 1
44   1   Morocco 1
45     Russia 0
46   2   Sweden 0
47   2   Bosnia and Herzegovina 0
48   2   Hungary 0
49   3   Argentina 0
50     Hong Kong 0
51   3   Solomon Islands 0
52   5   Niue 0
53   1   Latvia 0
54   1   Denmark 0
55   6   Belgium 0
56   1   Estonia 0
57   6   Vanuatu 0
Complete rankings at INTRL.SPORT

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

Opponent Matches Won Drawn Lost Win % For Against Difference
  Australia 2 0 0 2 0% 24 98 –74
  Canada 28 22 1 5 78.57% 914 448 +466
  Chile 1 1 0 0 100% 62 0 +62
  Cook Islands 3 1 0 2 33.33% 56 122 –66
  England 1 0 0 1 0% 0 110 –110
  Fiji 1 0 0 1 0% 12 58 –46
  France 2 1 0 1 50% 22 49 –27
  Ireland 3 0 0 3 0% 50 112 –62
  Ireland A 6 4 0 2 66.67% 150 100 +50
  Italy 3 0 0 3 0% 22 120 –98
  Jamaica 9 7 0 2 77.78% 299 144 +155
  Japan 5 5 0 0 100% 252 44 +208
  Lebanon 1 0 0 1 0% 8 62 –54
  Morocco 1 1 0 0 100% 50 10 +40
  Māori 1 0 0 1 0% 23 40 –17
  New Zealand 1 0 0 1 0% 14 74 –60
  Papua New Guinea 1 0 0 1 0% 0 64 –64
  Russia 5 0 0 5 0% 70 209 –139
  Samoa 3 1 0 2 50% 38 88 –50
  Scotland 2 0 0 2 0% 24 60 +36
  South Africa 1 1 0 0 100% 40 4 +36
  Tonga 1 0 0 1 0% 20 28 –8
  Wales 3 1 0 2 33.33% 38 174 –136
Total 84 45 1 38 53.57% 2,188 2,218 –30

World Cup

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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
Year Result Position Pld W D L PF PA
  1954 did not participate
  1957
  1960
    1968
  1970
  1972
1975
    1977
1985–88
1989–92
  1995
    2000 did not qualify
  2008
    2013 Quarter final 5th 4 2 0 2 64 122
      2017 Group Stage 14th 3 0 0 3 12 168
  2021 did not qualify
  2026

Colonial Cup

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Main article: Colonial Cup (rugby league)

The Colonial Cup is an international Cup competition between the U.S. and Canada.

Colonial Cup Record
Year Result Pld W D L
2010 Winners 1 1 0 0
2011 Winners 2 1 0 1
2012 Winners 2 2 0 0
2013 Winners 4 3 0 1
2014 Runners up 1 0 0 1
2015 Runners up 3 1 0 2
2016 Winners 2 2 0 0
2017 Winners 1 1 0 0
2024 Draw 1 0 1 0

World Cup 9s

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Rugby League World Cup 9s Record
Year Result Position Pld W D L PF PA
  2019 Group stage 12th 3 0 0 3 21 114

World Nines results

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  • Tonga def. United States 26–4 (1997)
  • Fiji def. United States 18–8 (1997)
  • Cook Islands def. United States 24–6 (1997)
  • Papua New Guinea def. United States 38–8 (1997)
  • Western Samoa def. United States 30–10 (1997)
  • Australia def. United States 24–0 (1997)
  • Cook Islands def. United States 22–0 (1996)
  • United States def. Morocco 18–4 (1996)
  • Western Samoa def. United States 14–6 (1996)
  • Australia def. United States 30–16 (1996)
  • Scotland def. United States 12–6 (1996)

World Sevens results

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  • Illawarra def. United States* 18–6 (1997) *unofficial team
  • United States* def. Japan 18–14 (1997) *unofficial team
  • Italy def. United States* 22–0 (1997) *unofficial team
  • Gold Coast def. United States* 40–8 (1996) *unofficial team
  • United States* def. Japan 20–8 (1996) *unofficial team
  • Melbourne def. United States* 18–14 (1996) *unofficial team
  • Australian Aboriginals def. United States* 28–0 (1996) *unofficial team
  • Tonga def. United States 20–4 (1995)
  • United States def. Russia 28–8 (1995)
  • United States def. Italy 22–4 (1995)
  • United States def. Russia 20–6 (1995)
  • Sydney Tigers def. United States 24–10 (1995)
  • South Africa def. United States 20–8 (1994)
  • New Zealand def. United States 20–12 (1994)
  • France def. United States 18–12 (1994)
  • Wainuiomata def. United States 34–8 (1993)
  • South Sydney def. United States 28–6 (1993)
  • Illawarra def. United States 28–4 (1993)
  • Fiji def. United States 30–10 (1992)
  • United States def. CIS Red Arrows 12–8 (1992)
  • South Sydney def. United States 12–0 (1992)
  • Newcastle def. United States 16–0 (1992)

Student results

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  • United States def. Japan 54–10 (1996)
  • Wales def. United States 22–18 (1996)
  • Western Samoa def. United States 82–8 (1996)
  • New Zealand def. United States 62–10 (1996)
  • United States def. Ireland 22–20 (1996)

Other representative results

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  • USA All Stars def. World Allies All Stars 27–26 (2001)
  • Sydney def. USA All Stars 52–25 (1953)

Stadium

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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

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References

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  1. ^ Willacy, Gavin (2018). No helmets required : the remarkable story of the American All Stars. Durrington : Pitch Publishing Ltd.
  2. ^ Crawford, George (May 31, 1953). "Amazing accuracy in American pitch-pass - Pidding's cricket score of 34 points against America". The Daily Telegraph (Sydney). Sydney: National Library of Australia. p. 59. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
  3. ^ Mathers, Jim (May 31, 1953). "64,953 Fans Flock To See League'S Yankee Doodle Dandies". Truth (Sydney newspaper). Sydney: National Library of Australia. p. 28. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
  4. ^ Corbett, W.F. (June 2, 1953). "N.S.W. Players Hold Off As Game Finishes In Farce". The Sun (Sydney). Sydney: National Library of Australia. p. 21. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g "USA Tomahawks: A brief history of American rugby league". Daily telegraph. Retrieved March 13, 2024.
  6. ^ "Room for Rugby". Jacksonville Business Journal. December 13, 1999. Retrieved January 24, 2011.
  7. ^ Christopher K. Hepp (September 18, 1998). "Murdoch's Money Creating A U.S. Toehold For Rugby". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on September 11, 2012. Retrieved August 26, 2011.
  8. ^ Matthew Wicks (November 20, 2010). "Atlantic Cup Rugby Tournament". The Florida Times-Union. Retrieved August 29, 2011.
  9. ^ A. J. Carr (August 23, 2011). "AJ talks to the USARL key players about risks, challenges and success". a-teamsport.com. Retrieved August 29, 2011.
  10. ^ "RLEF". Rlef.eu.com. October 15, 2011. Retrieved December 10, 2011.
  11. ^ Paul, Burrowes (October 28, 2011). "Rugby players encouraged despite whipping by USA". Jamaica Observer. Archived from the original on October 29, 2011. Retrieved October 30, 2011.
  12. ^ Andy Wilson (October 18, 2013). "Rugby League World Cup 2013: USA shock France in warm-up | Sport". theguardian.com. Retrieved November 16, 2013.
  13. ^ GMT (October 30, 2013). "BBC Sport - Rugby League World Cup: USA 32-20 Cook Islands". Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved November 16, 2013.
  14. ^ Williams, Aled (November 3, 2013). "BBC Sport - Rugby League World Cup 2013: United States shock Wales". Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved November 16, 2013.
  15. ^ Cartwright, Phil (November 7, 2013). "BBC Sport - Rugby League World Cup 2013: Scotland 22-8 USA". Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved November 16, 2013.
  16. ^ "Hawks swoop in for new USA National Team Name". Archived from the original on May 29, 2015. Retrieved December 9, 2016.
  17. ^ Brian McDermott to coach USA Hawks
  18. ^ "Rugby League World Cup live scores: PNG v USA live updates, live blog". November 12, 2017.
  19. ^ "RLWC 2017: Italy exorcise demons in huge World Cup win over USA". November 5, 2017.
  20. ^ "USA announce train on squad for Americas Championship". rlwc2021.com. October 18, 2018.
  21. ^ "Head to Head". Rugby League Project. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
  22. ^ "Hodges Stadium". Rugby League Project. Retrieved April 24, 2021.
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