The United States selectors have named an 18-man squad for the return leg of the Colonial Cup against Canada as they continue their build up for the 2013 Rugby League World Cup Atlantic Qualifiers. The match with the Wolverines will be played in Toronto next Saturday, September 17.
Several changes have been made to the lineup from their home clash, which was won 18-2 by the Tomahawks, in Philadelphia in August. New to the group is Jayson Rego of the Hawaii Islanders. Rego, a former American Football player and teammate of Josh Rice at the University of Hawaii, is included in the squad after turning out for the Collegiate All-American Sevens team at last month's Sevens National All-Star Championship.
The former UH Warriors running back has been converted to a rugby league three quarter. Also included are Curtis Cunz (pictured) and Mike Tuala, who replace Gareth Baxendale and Touanga Talakai. The Tomahawks again will be led by Apple Pope.
This will be the USA's final hit-out before the crucial qualifiers in October when the Tomahawks will host Jamaica and the South Africa Rhinos. The winner of that round-robin series of games will earn the Atlantic zone seed for the RLWC in England and Wales in 2013.
"We are looking forward to the return match against Canada in Toronto,” said USA coach David Niu. “We appreciate that it will be a difficult assignment playing them north of the border and we understand the challenge we are facing. Whilst it will be another step in the preparation process of the team for October, we still have a clear focus of putting in a solid performance against Canada. Each player will be significantly motivated to perform at their very best as we move toward the selection of the final Tomahawks squad for the RLWCQ."
USA SQUAD
Michael Garvey, Andrew Kneisly, Louis Tulio, Alejandro Valentin (Aston Bulls), Curtis Cunz, Charlie Rizzo, Salesi Tongamoa (Connecticut Wildcats), Apple Pope (Florida), Jayson Rego, Josh Rice (Hawaii Islanders), Kelly McGill, Mike Tuala (Maui Voyagers), Fitz-James Adams, Ian Elliott, Xavier Lozinguez, Justin Ripley, Sean Taylor (New York Knights), Leslie Alovili (Northern Raiders)