THE US side suffers from a lack of opposition in their area, and the only matches they’ve played since the last World Cup were a two-match series against Wales over two years ago.

They were intending to have matches against Australia in Las Vegas last year, but they didn’t take place. In fact, with no leagues set up as yet, the only matches they play are in-house, with some players having to take two planes just to attend training camps. No-one should ever complain about the M62 again!

It leaves the Wheelhawks with six new players in their squad of 12, but many have come from other wheelchair sports, especially the popular wheelchair basketball.

But they came into the 2022 World Cup with no experience at all and promptly turned over Scotland in their first game and then took a two-try lead against Wales in their second. They ended up going out in the group stages, but could go one better this time.

KEY PLAYERS

MACK JOHNSON is one of just four ever-presents in the USA side, and is the side’s top try- and points-scorer with 10 tries and 44 points so far. 

He was selected in the 2022 World Cup Team of the Tournament thanks to his performances four years ago and will be one to watch once again.

Another ever-present, captain Jesse Lind will also be a massive influence. A U.S. Marine Corps veteran, he suffered a spinal cord injury following a motor vehicle accident. Originally from western New York, he has now relocated to where the squad is based in South Carolina.

COACH

GEOFF MASON switched to coaching wheelchair rugby league after being asked by fellow Australian Andy Lucas if he wanted to help set up and coach the new USA side. 

He played the running game professionally for Newtown Jets and Penrith Panthers in the NSW Cup before moving to the USA to play and coach rugby union at the University of South Carolina.

SQUAD

Lavern Anderson, Mo Fox, Antoine Gray, Brent Hawkins, Bill Johnstone, Andy Kingsley, Jabrier Lee, Jesse Lind, Mack Johnson, James Ross, Frederick Smith, Eric Wooten.