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United States national wheelchair rugby league team

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Not to be confused with United States national wheelchair rugby team.
United States
Team information
NicknameThe Hawks
Governing bodyUSA Rugby League
RegionEurope
Head coachGeoff Mason
CaptainJesse Lind
IRL ranking 7 Increase 1 (June 30, 2024)[1]
Team results
First international
Biggest win
62–41 v Scotland (November 4, 2022)
Biggest defeat
6–116 v France (November 10, 2022)
World Cup
Appearances1 (first time in 2021)
Best result3rd in group, 2021

The United States national wheelchair rugby league team represents the United States in wheelchair rugby league. The team, nicknamed the Hawks, is controlled by USA Rugby League, the governing body for rugby league in the United States. Formed in 2022, the team made its debut at the 2021 Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup finishing third in their group with one victory and two defeats.

In 2019 the organizers of the 2021 Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup announced the United States as one of the countries invited to participate in the tournament.[2] At the time of the invite there was no national team, so Australian Geoff Mason, a former player, was recruited to form a team.

History

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2021 World Cup

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Following try-outs a squad of 11 domestically based players was chosen and flew to England for the Cup.[3] The squad was captained by Jeff Townsend who had previously played wheelchair basketball and included just one non-disabled player, Micah Johnson.[4] In England the squad was joined by Matthew Wooloff, a player based in the United Kingdom.[4]

The team's first ever competitive match was against Scotland in Sheffield on November 4 with the US winning 62–41 with Mackenzie Johnson being named player of the match.[5]

The second group match was against Wales with the US defeated 32–50 in a hard fought game.[6] The defeat left the US team with a chance of qualifying for the semi-finals but it would require Wales lose their last group game against Scotland while the US team would have to beat defending world champions and number 1 seeds, France.

The game against France was a one-sided affair as France ran in 21 tries to win 116–6 with Mackenzie Johnson scoring the only try for the US.[7] Mackenzie Johnson was named in the RLWC2021 Wheelchair Team of the Tournament.[8]

Hosting Wales

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The team played its first matches at home in February 2024 when they hosted a two-match tour by Wales.[9] Both matches were played at the Sports Center in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Wales won both matches.[10]

Results

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Date Opponent Score Competition Ref.
November 4, 2022  Scotland 62–41 2021 World Cup [5]
November 7, 2022  Wales 32–50 [6]
November 10, 2024  France 6–116 [11]
February 2, 2024  Wales 24–78 Two match series friendly [12]
February 3, 2024  Wales 22–52 [13]

Records

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IRL Wheelchair World Rankings
Official rankings as of June 2024
Rank Change Team Pts %
1 Steady  England 100
2 Steady  France 89
3 Steady  Australia 61
4 Increase 1  Ireland 49
5 Decrease 1  Wales 47
6 Steady  Scotland 38
7 Increase 1  United States 27
8 Decrease 1  Spain 23
9 Steady  Italy 0
Complete rankings at INTRL.SPORT

References

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  1. ^ "IRL World Rankings: Wheelchair". International Rugby League. June 30, 2024. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
  2. ^ "USA confirmed for Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup 2021". usarl.org. July 18, 2019. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
  3. ^ Hoge, Sophie Keyes (August 13, 2022). "USA Wheelchair Rugby League prepares for World Cup Championship in England, final practices take place in Columbia". wistv.com. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
  4. ^ a b Ibbetson, Stephen (November 6, 2022). "USA wheelchair team's remarkable journey from having no team to winning World Cup opener". TotalRL.com. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
  5. ^ a b "Scotland 41 v 62 United States". europeanrugbyleague.com. European Rugby League. November 4, 2022. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
  6. ^ a b "Wales 50 v 32 United States". europeanrugbyleague.com. European Rugby League. November 7, 2022. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
  7. ^ "Brave Newcomers Bow Out". Rugby Leaguer & League Express. No. 3354. November 13, 2022. p. 26.
  8. ^ McAllister, Josh (November 15, 2022). "RLWC2021: Women's and Wheelchair Teams of the Tournament revealed". LoveRugbyLeague. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
  9. ^ "Wales Wheelchair Rugby League confirm squad for USA tour". ITV News. December 10, 2023. Retrieved February 11, 2024.
  10. ^ "Wheelchair Fixtures – WRL International Sides". Wales Rugby League. Retrieved February 11, 2024.
  11. ^ "France 116 v 6 United States". europeanrugbyleague.com. European Rugby League. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
  12. ^ "United States 24 v 78 Wales". europeanrugbyleague.com. European Rugby League. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
  13. ^ "United States 22 v 52 Wales". europeanrugbyleague.com. European Rugby League. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
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