Jacksonville's Apple Pope on the stop (Richard Green photo)
|
The USA has named its 17-man squad for the Colonial Cup Rugby League international against Canada.
The team barely resembles the lineup that beat Jamaica in last year’s Atlantic Cup.
Selectors have been forced to cast further afield due to injuries, player unavailability due to work commitments and the desire to give younger players a shot at representative football.
AMNRL semifinalists Aston provide the most players on the squad with five, followed by Grand Final champions Jacksonville, which has four players selected.
The squad contains seven players who will be making their international debut for the US.
The debutants include former NYAC loose forward Kevin Wiggins, Matt Clark, Will Garcia, Andrew Kneisly, Kenny Britt, Larry Madden and Jared Frymoyer.
The average age of the Tomahawks side is 23 as the US looks to the future.
USA Tomahawks:
ANDREW KNEISLY – ASTON BULLS
APPLE POPE – JACKSONVILLE AXEMEN
BOB KNOEPFEL – JACKSONVILLE AXEMEN
CONWAY MARAKI – ASTON BULLS
CURTIS CUNZ – CONNECTICUT WILDCATS
DERRICK ROMA – NEW HAVEN WARRIORS
GARETH BAXENDALE – NEW YORK KNIGHTS
JARED FRYMOYER – PHILADELPHIA FIGHT
KENNY BRITT – JACKSONVILLE AXEMEN
KEVIN WIGGINS – ASTON BULLS
LARRY MADDEN – PHILADELPHIA FIGHT
MATT CLARK – JACKSONVILLE AXEMEN
MIKE BRAZILL – ASTON BULLS
MIKE CARTWRIGHT – NEW YORK KNIGHTS
NATE SMITH – ASTON BULLS
SEAN TAYLOR – NEW YORK KNIGHTS
WILL GARCIA – CONNECTICUT WILDCATS
Coaching Staff:
David Niu
Marcus Vassilakopoulos
Jeff Preston
Robert Balachandran
Medical Staff:
Dr Jack Kazanjian & Mary Lockwood
The first annual Colonial Cup against the Canadians is set for Sunday, September 19, in Kingston, Ontario.
Richardson Memorial Stadium at Queen’s University will be the venue. Tickets for the match start from just $15 and can be purchased from the Queen's University Box Office (284 Earl St, Kingston) or by phoning 613-533-2500.
