Preview: USA and Greece men name squads for Las Vegas internationals

USA and Greece men have named their squads for the first of two senior international clashes, as part of the Australian National Rugby League’s programme of events in Las Vegas this week.

The sides will meet initially tomorrow (Wednesday) at Silver Bowl Park (kick off 6pm, local time). USA Hawks head coach, Sean Rutgerson, commented: “This is another opportunity for our domestic players to gain international experience and to keep developing the sport here in the USA.”

The Greece squad have been training with LA Roosters in preparation, their head coach, Steve Georgallis, noted: “We are looking forward to playing the United States in Las Vegas, in what will be the first clash between the two nations. There will be eight players making their full international debut for Greece with a further four players coming from the local Greek domestic competition. For us, it is all about building for the future.”

The men will face each other in a second clash at the same venue on Friday, preceded by their women’s sides who kick off at 6pm (local time). Rutgerson said of that clash: “We are looking to build on the Women’s World Cup Qualifiers. The more games we get, the level of play rises for the team. Playing in Vegas should be a lot of fun.”

The games will be livestreamed on NRL.com

USA HAWKS SQUAD
Anson Jiang, Peter Lupton (Boston Bears) Tevita Bryce, Anthony Russo (Brooklyn Kings) Ryan Burroughs, Max Dacey, Daniel Vidot (DC Cavalry) Ryan Bannerot, Jason Martin, Mason McCrory, David Washington, Malcom Webb (Jacksonville Axemen) Sione Masoe (LA Roosters) Fatai Makavaha (Provo Broncos) Celsius Tarawhiti (Riverton Seagulls) Ulice Gillard, Wes Piggins (Southwest Florida Copperheads) Joe Eichner, Gunnar Johnson (Tampa Mayhem)   

GREECE MEN SQUAD
Aris Dardamanis (Aris Eagles), Aris Koulizakis, Nectarios Tsakalos (Athens Raiders), Nick Stephanou (Attica Rhinos), Sam Stratis (Blacktown Workers), Deon Iro, Eddie Markopoulos (Cabramatta),  Vassilios Mougios (Kingsgrove Colts), Tyrone Tsagalias (Mounties), Chris Slater-Raptis (Newtown), Emmanuel Michailou (Renown United), Nic Mougios, Stefano Totidis (Ryde-Eastwood), Leon Bakis (Sydney Roosters), Lewis Georgallis, Mitchell Zampetides (unattached), Theo Nianiakis (Waverley-Oakleigh), Jake Kambos , Jonny Mitsias (Young)