RLWC

The team was welcomed to the country today by dancers from Vabukori village in a small reception just after lunch.

“We’ve had a couple of tough games, but we’re learning all the time. We’re looking forward to Sunday playing against a very tough and a very good PNG team. We’re keen to put on a good performance against them,” said coach, Brian McDermott

Captain, Mark Offerdahl who is playing in his second World Cup, said the team is looking to improve from every game played and are looking forward to this Sunday.

Nicknamed the Hawks, this is their second appearance on the biggest stage of international rugby league. Their first was back in 2013.

USA is currently ranked tenth in the world.

This Sunday’s match against the PNG LNG Kumuls will kick off at 3pm at the Oil Search National Football Stadium.

USA are winless so far having lost their opening match to Fiji 58-12 and then to Italy 46-0 last weekend.

The opening exchanges quickly turned into an arm-wrestle for position, which Fiji took advantage of when a perfect kick from halfback Henry Raiwalui earned his side a repeat set. Front-rower Eloni Vunakece took advantage of the attacking field position to use his massive frame to crash through the Wales defence and score the first try of the night.

Kumuls winger Garry Lo was the difference, running for a game-high 200 metres, breaking 15 tackles and scoring a try.

His performance was a highlight in an error-riddled contest, with both sides pushing the pass and struggling to execute when it mattered most.

Leading 8-6 at half-time, PNG could not put the game away and it left the door open for an unlikely Irish victory.

Second-row forward Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook came within inches of becoming an Irish hero, knocking on over the goal line with 10 minutes to go.