The USA Rugby League team – Tomahawks were defeated by the Australian Kangaroos in the Quarter Final of the Rugby League World Cup. For Australians the match was expected but the result 62-0 was close to the bookies prediction of giving of 250/1 or with a 50ish+ start.
Appreciate most Americans do not know much about Rugby League as it is a game that has traditionally been played in the North East of USA. Rugby League was very much a working class game until the 1990s when Australia started broadcasting payTV (cable) and Rupert Murdoch attempted to take over the game with an alternative competition. American Rugby League is still an amateur code.
The expectation was for the Tomawhawks to be thrashed in all their Group games but instead lost only one with a respectable score. It will be of interest if the USARL can garner additional support for the game to build homegrown talent. There is a need for eligible US players to involve themselves in Rugby League in Australia. Whilst their aspirations will be for NRL (elite) level reality is they maybe 2 or 3 levels lower in their first season. With dedication and willingness to learn an unfamiliar game then the second season should be playing reserves of the elite level. This is achievable if the NRL are serious about expanding the game internationally plus the trade agreements between USA and Australia for working visas.
South Africa would like to hold the next World Cup series and I hope they are successful as it would boost their game internally which they deserve for the hard yards promoting the game over the many years.
Sally from Sydney 