USA Tomahawks to face Canada in Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA, Penn. – (August 20, 2013) – The USA Tomahawks have named an 18-man squad for the second Colonial Cup match against Canada. The US will host the Wolverines in Conshohocken, PA, on Saturday, August 24, 2013. The game will be played at AA Garthwaite Stadium and will follow the USARL championship final. The Tomahawks’ newly installed coach Ben Kelly says there were some very tough selection decisions to make, but they had to be made after the 16-point defeat by the Wolverines in the series opener last month.

“I have picked players who are fit and have done the work I have asked in training,” said Kelly. “Their commitment and communication has been great and I am confident that it will carry over onto the field this Saturday. I am very happy with the squad picked for this Saturday. We have

USA TOmahawks to take on Canada. Getty Images

New Zealand-born Muilima, Offerdahl and Rice who bring size and experience to the pack and I am quietly confident the boys will make a big impact. Collins returns to the squad at five-eighth after starring in last year’s Colonial Cup and will form a great combo with Percy [O’Malveney] in the halves. We have brought Tagaloa into the centers and with Tulio outside him on the wing, there’s a wealth of experience. I was very impressed with Gareth Gibbs after starring in the Connecticut Wildcats’ run to the AMNRL title and I am excited for him to get a crack. Look out for Shane Begin, a massive human at 22 years old 6'6, 270lbs. Shane is an ex-linebacker who plays with the Boston 13's team and can obviously hit like a truck, but what impressed me is his work ethic and ability to listen.” Begin brings to the side an impressive pedigree. He is a former New Hampshire Wolfpack football player who has served on two tours to Afghanistan and one to Iraq.

Kelly continued, “With the series now set for four games with September 7th and 28th in Toronto, there are only three more games to impress the selectors for World Cup spots and with the USARL players all available for USA Tomahawks selection for those games, the fight for spots in the World Cup is immense.

For those playing for the USA Tomahawks Saturday night there is no need for motivation to succeed.

USA TOMAHAWKS SQUAD TO FACE CANADA AUGUST 24th:

Kristian Freed

Louis Tulio 

Loto Tagaloa

Vai Notoa 

Gareth Gibbs 

Luke Collins 

Damien O'Malveney

Mike Schachter

Craig Priestly

Salesi Tongamoa

Siose Muilima

Mark Offerdahl 

Josh Rice

Les Solia

Matt Walsh 

Shane Begin 

Curtis Cunz 

Wes Haughton