AMNRL - American National Rugby League

TOMAHAWKS TAKE OFF IN QUEST FOR WORLD CUP GLORY

The USA Tomahawks squad will depart from different parts of the globe today and assemble at their temporary home base at the Holiday Inn at Wakefield in England's north. With coaching staff and players traveling from Sydney, and Brisbane Australia along with flights out of Philadelphia and New York, it will make for an exciting journey en route to facing Samoa on Friday, November 9 in Widnes at 5.45pm.

The squad will have it's first official practice session together with Head Coach Matthew Elliott, and Assistant Coach Shane Millard. It will be Matt Elliott's first session with the national team, while Shane Millard has a long association with the AMNRL being involved on the coaching staff since the 1999 World Cup Qualifiers. Matt and Shane have worked together previously as lower grade coaches under then Head Coach Brian Smith. Interestingly, Shane's two boys Daryl (First Grade Center with Canterbury Bulldogs) and Ryan (Fullback for Bulldogs Jersey Flegg Team) are both Fijian Internationals and could well face their dad if the Tomahawks make it through to the RLWC in Australia next October. Matt Elliott will make a welcome return to the UK after having spent a number of successful years as Bradford Bulls Head Coach before returning to the NRL with the Canberra Raiders and now Penrith Panthers. Along with Matt and Shane, former Brisbane Broncos and London Broncos star playm aker and now Head Coach of the Castleford Tigers Terry Matterson will join the coaching staff upon return from Australia prior to the Samoan International.

Matty Petersen from the Gold Coast Titans will lead the squad. There has been a late change to the Tomahawks lineup as Danny Bull from the Connecticut Wildcats has had to withdraw and been replaced by Ben Kelly also from the Wildcats. An injury cloud hangs over Wigan hooker Shane Millard and a decision on his fitness and availability will be made this week.

The team will be staying at:-

Holiday Inn.

Queens Drive, Ossett, Wakefield,

West Yorkshire,

England

WF5 9BE

PH:0870 400 9082

With the team hotel being not far from Super League Europe club the Castleford Tigers, and with the Tigers Football Manager Mick Robinson and Head Coach Terry Matterson on board as part of the Tomahawks Team Management, the American squad will be using the Tigers facilities to prepare for the Samons. It will be a busy schedule for the Tomahawks as they prepare for a warm up match against Cumbria on Sunday, November 4 in Barrow at 3pm, along with watching the Lebanon v Ireland RLWC Qualifier on Friday evening and guests at the Great Britain v New Zealand International at Hull on Saturday evening.

Check back daily for updates on team preparations and news from the Tomahawks tour in England.