Tomahawks qualify for 2013 World Cup

[Kaz]

For the first time in Rugby League history, a team from the United States will feature in a World Cup after the USA Tomahawks defeated Jamaica 40 - 4 in the final match of the Atlantic World Cup qualifiers.
The Tomahawks will now join tournament co-hosts, Wales and the Cook Islands in Group D of the tournament which will be held across the United Kingdom.


http://www.nrl.com/tomahawks-qualify-for-2013-world-cup/tabid/10874/newsid/65293/default.aspx

Good on them.

Wondering if the Jamaican side, is some of the bobsled team.

 

[Coxy]

I dare say the Jamaican outside backs would be pretty quick...

 

[dukey]

Good to see. They have a strong amateur league there with loyal fans. Hopefully this gives them a shot in the arm. Italy will probably win the final spot.

 

[ningnangnong]

Ja, maican the World Cup is great for US rugby league. :cheesy:

To be serious though, if there's going to be another country outside of Australia, New Zealand and England (and to a lesser extent France) where rugby league grows, I reckon it'll be the good old US of A.

 

[Charmamba]

Awesome news, Gives me a second team to cheer on now.

 

[Coxy]

Ja, maican the World Cup is great for US rugby league. :cheesy:

To be serious though, if there's going to be another country outside of Australia, New Zealand and England (and to a lesser extent France) where rugby league grows, I reckon it'll be the good old US of A.

^ this. (not the dad joke, although it was Quality).

Rugby league is a sleeping giant in the US. Just need the right entrepreneur to get excited by it and pour money into it and it will grow. Much like soccer has.

Itll never compete with MLB, NBA or NFL/college football but can carve a successful niche which could be, dollar for dollar, more lucrative than the NRL or ESL

 

[Je$ter]

^ this. (not the dad joke, although it was Quality).

Rugby league is a sleeping giant in the US. Just need the right entrepreneur to get excited by it and pour money into it and it will grow. Much like soccer has.

Itll never compete with MLB, NBA or NFL/college football but can carve a successful niche which could be, dollar for dollar, more lucrative than the NRL or ESL

Easily. Look at the money MLS generates and it's light years away from the big 4 sports.

And imagine some of the athletes they would get playing. There are 120 division 1 college football teams each with about 100 players. Only 350 go from college ball to the pros, so you have all these guys who are great athletes and a degree in sociology or something useless. Get them into rugby league they would kill it.

 

[m1c]

Rugby is huge over in America - it's one of the largest college sports. I'd dare say if League were to break into the market it would have to be on the back of Rugby's success. It certainly is an easier game to get your head around.

 

[dukey]

The similarities between league and gridiron would certainly endear it to Americans. Especially with the strong college rugby culture. The trick is getting them to take notice in the first place.

 

[Coxy]

The similarities between league and gridiron would certainly endear it to Americans. Especially with the strong college rugby culture. The trick is getting them to take notice in the first place.

And that's where a rich, well known, popular advocate is needed. I know Rusty has tried to spread the word to his Hollywood mates, but so far they only show it when they're here (and rock up to a token Souths game). We need one of them to be so in love with the game as to go back and talk to the AMNRL and get it going that way.

 

[dukey]

The Souths/Leeds game he held in Florida was a good step, but those brands just don't have any recognition in the US. The Liberty Bell Cup, Kangaroos vs the Tomahawks in (I think) 2004 was a better idea, because it's the USA against another recognisable name. If you're advertising 'USA vs England' or 'Australia vs New Zealand' the general public are at least going to know who is playing.