By BRIAN LOWE
The USA Rugby League (USARL) has named its 23-man squad to compete at next month’s World Cup.
The roster contains 12 domestic-based players, more than there were on the Hawks’ team at the 2013 RLWC when they made it to the quarter-finals.
“USA’s second World Cup campaign demonstrates a significant increase in USA competition players from the 2013 campaign, while also recognizing their contribution, talent and dedication,” said USARL chairman Peter Illfield.
The American squad also contains some players from the 2013 campaign who will be making their second World Cup appearance including Mark Offerdahl, Kristian Freed, Stephen and Daniel Howard and Eddie Pettybourne.
The United States team will be coached by Leeds Rhinos Super League mentor Brian McDermott, with Sean Rutgerson and Mark Gliddon as his assistant coaches.
United States 23-man squad:
Taylor Alley (Central Florida Warriors)
Ryan Burroughs (Toronto Wolfpack)
CJ Cortalano (White Plains Wombats)
Joe Eichner (Toronto Wolfpack)
Bureta Faraimo (New Zealand Warriors)
Gabe Farley (Philadelphia Fight)
Kristian Freed (White Plains Wombats)
Daniel Howard (Wentworthville Magpies)
Stephen Howard (Mounties)
Martwain Johnston (Delaware Black Foxes)
Andrew Kneisly (Philadelphia Fight)
Corey Makelim (Mounties)
Hiko Malu (Atlanta Rhinos)
David Marando (Belrose Eagles)
Nick Newlin (Atlanta Rhinos)
Mark Offerdahl (London Broncos)
Eddie Pettybourne (Tweed Heads Seagulls)
Josh Rice (New York Knights)
Matthew Shipway (South Newcastle)
Samuel Tochtermann-Talbott (Tweed Heads Seagulls)
David Ulch (Tampa Mayhem)
Junior Vaivai (Illawarra Wests Devils)
Matt Walsh (White Plains Wombats)
