Leeds Rhinos coach, Brian McDermott has admitted that he is excited about his new role in charge of the USA. When it comes to Rugby League the country is a “sleeping giant”, he says.
To start the new coaching role – which McDermott will hold in tandem with his current job at Leed’s Rhinos – he will head to the States at the end of the year, when USA play some World Cup qualifying games.
“The potential for the game in America is enormous,” he told Super League TV. “I am excited about it.
“Our club has an affiliation with the USA and especially the team in Florida. We’ve been out there on pre-season camps, and this year we played against the American Pioneers so I know that a fair bit goes on out there.”
“They’ve got some fantastic athletes; it’s a sleeping giant is USA Rugby League. There’s a fair bit done by some individuals already, and at the end of the year I’ll go over there and be involved with the World Cup qualifiers.
“Being an international coach is what appealed; you always want to test yourself at the highest level. But if you’re not going to do an England, Australia or New Zealand, you start thinking about which other country you’d want to coach, and there’s a fair bit of scope for the game in the USA.
“There’s also a fair bit of time to go before they become one of the big dogs in the game, but in terms of potential it’s huge.”
