FULL TEAM The USA Tomahawks have announced their 19-man squad to face Cook Islands at Bristol Memorial Stadium on Wednesday night and it features three American-based players in the starting 13. Michael Garvey, born in New Jersey before moving to Philadelphia, starts at left centre alongside Hawaiian three-quarter Loto Tagaloa. While Hamptons, New York, personal trainer and owner of Southampton Dragons Craig Priestly makes his World Cup debut at halfback. Parramatta Eels utility Joseph Paulo is captain and five-eighth while his older brother and former Eels player Junior starts at prop. Wigan Warriors-bound prop Eddy Pettybourne will play his first game for the Tomahawks as will Newcastle Knights forward Clint Newton and Wests Tigers hooker Joel Luani. Coach Terry Matterson said narrowing down his 19-man squad was an arduous process due to the talent on offer. This was a really tough selection process, he said. With three games in eight days all of the squad will be needed with this tough schedule. Mark Cantoni and Ryan McGoldrick are the players not considered. 1. Kristian Freed 2. Bureta Faraimo 3. Michael Garvey 4. Loto Tagaloa 5. Matt Petersen 6. Joseph Paulo (C) 7. Craig Priestly 8. Junior Paulo 9. Joel Luani 10. Eddy Pettybourne 11. Clint Newton 12. Matt Shipway 13. Daniel Howard 14. Tui Samoa 15. Mark Offerdahl 16. Stephen Howard 17. Les Soloai 18. David Marando 19. Judah Lavulo The Tomahawks final 17-man team list will be released one hour prior to kick off on Wednesday.
Posted on: Mon, 28 Oct 2013 19:16:18 +0000