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

USA will host Greece for a women’s and men’s double header later today, Friday 28th February at Silver Bowl Park in Las Vegas.

The nations’ men’s sides were due to clash earlier this week, but the game was cancelled following an issue with the floodlights, which has also seen the kick off times moved for today’s games to 1.30pm (Women) and 3.30pm (Men) local time to accommodate the lighting.

Both games will be streamed live at NRL.com

Greece’s womens squad will be looking to return to winning games after a losing in a plucky performance against Ireland last October in Athens which saw them exit from the Rugby League World Cup Qualifying campaign and will potentially hand out five debuts for the game. 

“This is the first time that he have combined girls from all over the world. We have players coming from Greece, Australia, Wales and the USA,” said head coach Denis Lowe. “We have five girls making their international debut for Greece and we are looking forward to playing the USA for the first time.”

USA will also be looking to record a win after their loss to Canada in the Americas RLWC Qualifying tournament. The game will be an interesting test for the side who to date have only played Canada and Jamaica and will be exposed to a different style of play. Shannon Cross Hustosky, Lucinda Darvell and Erin Walsh are in line to make their debuts for the national team. 

"We are Looking forward to taking on Greece on Friday” added head coach Sean Rutgerson. “It’s the first game between our two countries and the first time we have staged a double header with the men for USARL. Both games should be great contests and we’re hoping to get a big crowd to come out and support us.”

Although disappointed about the cancellation of the first planned game, both men’s squads are very much relishing the challenge of clashing for the first time.

“This is another opportunity for our domestic players to gain international experience and to keep developing the sport here in the USA” added Rutgerson. “The more games we get, the level of play rises for the team. Playing in Vegas should be a lot of fun”

Greece, who name a squad blended with players playing in Greece and in Australia, have been in the US for just over a week in preparation for the game but are not underestimating the challenge that the USA pose. 

“We have seven players making their international debut against the USA as we look towards the future,” said head coach Steve Georgallis. “The USA will be playing on home soil and will be a tough opponent.”

USA Women
Shannon Cross Hustosky (East Palo Alto Razorbacks) Sarah Esther Anderson, Lucinda Darvell, Ashley Mencke (New York State Queens) Haley Sheldon, Taylor White (Jacksonville JaxAxe Women) Erin Walsh (LA Mongrel) Jeanna Beard, Bee Blackmon (San Diego Barracudas) Samantha Black, Rachael Bradley, Cynthia Campbell, Nicole Fisch, Narcisse Jordan, Robyn Oliveri, Kadie Sanford, Stacia Thompson (Tampa Mischief)

Greece Women
Angelina Ballas (North Sydney), Marilena Girlemi (Aris Eagles), Sam Glumac (Mounties), Stephanie Glumac (Mounties), Sofia Kitsaneli (Aris Eagles), Georgina Kalomenopoulou (Aris Eagles), Klaudia Koule (Athens Raiders), Rania Koutsikou (Cardiff Demons), Asimina Mastoraki (Aris Eagles), Nicola Munday (Brisbane Norths Rugby Union), Lisa Paloukis (West Belconnen), Ella Panagiotopoulos (Belconnen Sharks), Hayley Papa (Toukley), Effie Skouroliakou (Aris Eagles), Sotiria Skouroliakou (Aris Eagles), Maggie Stavrianou (Athens Raiders), Lavinia Taukamo (Redfern All Blacks), Meleanna Waters (Mascot), Eleni Zis (Atlanta Rhinos).

USA Men
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
Alex Aliu (Rhodes Knights), Leon Bakis (Sydney Roosters), Nic Flocas (Carina), Myles Gal (Bundaberg Brothers), Deon Iro (Cabramatta), Aris Koulizakis (Attica Rhinos), Eddie Markopoulos (Cabramatta), Jonny Mitsias (Young), Vassilios ‘Billy’ Mougios (Kingsgrove Colts), Nic Mougios (Ryde-Eastwood), Theodoras Nianiakas (Waverley-Oakleigh), Kody Papa (Hills District), Chris Slater-Raptis (Newtown), Sam Stratis (Blacktown Workers), Tyrone Tsagalias (Mounties), Nectarios Tsakalos (Athens Raiders), Nicholas Tuliatu (Newcastle Souths), Robert Tuliatu (Athens Raiders), Mitch Zampetides (unattached).