USA Tomahawks named to face Canada for Cup decider

PHILADELPHIA, Penn. – (September 25, 2013) – The USA Tomahawks have named a 20-man squad ahead of the fourth and deciding game of the Colonial Cup series against Canada.

The squad will be trimmed to 17 in time for Game Four, which is scheduled to be played in Toronto this Saturday, September 28, 2013.

Tomahawks coach Ben Kelly again has drawn on players from both the American National Rugby League and USA Rugby League to complete the roster.

“I am expecting big performances from all players Saturday night,” said Coach Kelly.

“With the carrot of the World Cup, selection is on the line and this game is the final chance to impress. There is no need for motivation to win this game and the Colonial Cup."

The USA will take a 2-1 advantage and a 20-point lead into the series finale.

The Colonial Cup is decided on an aggregate points basis and after three matches the Tomahawks are in front 92-72. It means the Wolverines must win by 21 points to wrest the Cup from the US, which has never lost the series since its inception in 2011.

The game will be the final hitout for the Americans before a Tomahawks squad is selected for the Rugby League World Cup. That squad will have a World Cup warm-up match against France in Toulouse next month.

USA TOMAHAWKS SQUAD:

Casey Clarke, CJ Cortalano, Gabe Farley, Michael Garvey, Gareth Gibbs, Luke Hume, Siose Muliumu, Mark Offerdahl, Damien O'Malveney, Apple Pope, Craig Priestly, Josh Rice, Mike Schacter, Brent Shorten, Les Solia, Salesi Tongamoa, Louis Tulio, Dusten Umeda, Matt Walsh, Taylor Welch

USA TOMAHAWKS 2013 Schedule:

USA v Canada (Colonial Cup, Toronto, September 28)

USA v France (Toulouse, October 18)

USA v Cook Islands (RLWC2013, Bristol, October 30)

USA v Wales (RLWC2013, Wrexham, November 3)

USA v Scotland (RLWC2013, Salford City, November 7)

Source: Rugby League Canada