AUSTRALIA TOUR UPDATE

The USA Tomahawks completed a successful four match tour of Australia, that featured matches in traditional country Rugby League areas, and a tough encounter with the Canberra Raiders NRL Team in Queanbeyan.

A number of new young players joined the squad, and the opportunity for
these players to experience the highest level of competition will be
evident in the coming months as the Tomahawks undertake a rigorous
international program in 2004. The tour of Australia saw the Tomahawks play matches in Wyong on the Central Coast of NSW, in Goulburn which is inland of Canberra the nations capital, in Queanbeyan in Canberra, and the final match in Sydney.

Tough lessons were learned in Wyong and Goulburn, with a young Tomahawks squad, featuring no fewer then eleven debutants in the national jersey, not being able to cope with the speed and skill of the Wyong Roos. The Roos have one of the most professional operations in Country Rugby League, and showed the Tomahawks how to play hard and fast Rugby League in oppressive heat before a great local crowd. Although being well beaten, the Tomahawks suffered with the early loss through injury of Marcus Vassilakopoulos and Jeff Preston. Best performances for the US were from Marty O'Donoghue, Matt Astill, and David Faimanifo. The opportunity to visit Wyong was an exciting one for the Tomahawks, and the AMNRL look forward top developing strong ties with the Roos, who were the most generous and hospitable hosts the squad has ever encountered. It is hope the Roos might be touring the USA in October of this year, and that the Tomahawks return next February to Wyong.

The second match on tour was against the Goulburn Stockmen. The Tomahawks performed poorly which reflected in the final result of 8-42. It was a match the US Squad expected to perform well in, but loss of possession and constant turnovers gave the Tomahawks no chance of playing anywhere near the standard expected of the national team. A disappointing result.

The trip to Canberra and a tough week of preparation in Queanbeyan proved to be the ideal approach for the Tomahawks who were up against it with a tough match up with the Raiders and Tonga. The opportunity to work with the Raiders staff and observe the professional Raiders setup and players allowed the US Squad a chance to improve their teamwork and
understanding of what is required at the highest level to improve and succeed. Head Coach Matt Elliott and assistants Terry Matterson, Wayne Collins, and Mike Maguire spent valuable time with the squad in preparing them for the three way clash with Canberra and Tonga. Raiders Operations Manager, Jason Mathie, setup a great week for the Squad as the players spent a week in camp.

The three way match was setup with the Tomahawks facing the Raiders First Grade Squad in the first and third quarters and Tonga playing the Raiders First Division in Quarters two and four, with the US and Tonga playing each other in a final forty minute half. The US Squad comprised of 20 players whilst Tonga suited up thirty odd, so the match was basically a trial also with Tonga winning the first period by 18-6. Against the Raiders, and the likes of Ruben Wiki, Brad Drew, Ian Hindmarsh, Mark McLinden, Ryan O'Hara, and Adam Mogg, the Tomahawks proudly battled the best Rugby League players in the world to hold them to three tries in the first quarter and four in the second quarter. The Tomahawks managed to crack the Raiders defensive line on a number of occasions only to have a loose pass deny scoring opportunities. The experience will be a highlight for many of the Tomahawks squad and the support of the Raiders club was tremendous in putting on a great event before a vocal local crowd. Best for the USA were Shayne Mains, Marcus Vassilakopoulos, Ed Woodbridge, Steve Watene, and Greg Swinford.

The final match saw the Tomahawks travel to Sydney to take on the Dragons All-stars in a benefit match for the battle against Breast Cancer. A number of St. George Dragons Legends turned out for an entertaining match which saw the Tomahawks unlucky to go down by 48-40 to a team comprising the likes of Mark Coyne, Jeff Hardy, Noel Goldthorpe, Brad Mackay, Paul Osborne, Scott Gourley, Ricky Walford, Mick Potter, Wayne Collins and many former Australian and Dragons legends. The game was a tremendous success both on and off the field with $25,000 being raised and some 5,000 fans attending.

The Tour of Australia was a tremendous learning experience for the Tomahawks as they prepare for the 2004 season and work towards the 2008 Rugby League World Cup.
Best performers on tour for the USA were, Ed Woodbridge, Marty O'Donoghue, Shayne Mains, Adam Dunn, Marcus Vassilakopoulos, David Faimanifo, Greg Swinford and Nate Smith. Matt Astill, who was inspirational for the Tomahawks in the first match suffered a broken thumb and unable to play in the final two games and was sorely missed.
Although a number of experienced players were unable to make the tour, the future looks bright for an exciting 2004 with the next international against Ireland in Savannah, Georgia on March 16.

Back to RL News