Senior International Matches (Men)

Fri 28th February 2025   - KO  15:30 - Silver Bowl Park, Las Vegas
Official: Cody Kuxmann (USA)

United States of America

10

FT

46

Half Time
10 - 18

Greece

Tries

Malcolm Webb (24)
Ulice Gillard (20)

Sam Stratis (60,75)
Johnny Mitsias (44,50)
Leon Bakis (2)
Eddie Markopoulos (40,67)
Nicholas Tuliatu (56)
Myles Gal (33)

Goals

Mason McCrory (1/2)

Sam Stratis (1/2)
Eddie Markopoulos (0/1)

Sinbins

Joe Eichner (30)
Daniel Vidot (56)

Preview: USA v Greece

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

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 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).

3 March 2025
1 David Washington
Full Back
Tyrone Tsagalias 1
2 Jason Martin
Right Wing
Sam Stratis 2
3 Ryan Burroughs
Right Centre
Nick Mougios 3
4 Daniel Vidot
Left Centre
Nick Mougios 4
5 Ulice Gillard
Left Wing
Johnny Mitsias 5
6 Ryan Bannerot
Stand Off
Leon Bakis 6
7 Peter Lupton
Scrum Half
Eddie Markopoulos 7
8 Tevita Bryce
Prop
Robert Tuliatu 8
9 Mason McCrory
Hooker
Kody Papa 9
17 Anson Jiang
Prop
Nicholas Tuliatu 13
11 Wes Piggins
Second Row
Chris Slater-Raptis 11
13 Joe Eichner
Second Row
Nicholas Flocas 12
10 Malcolm Webb
Loose Forward
Deon Iro 14
14 Fatai Makavaha
Int 1
Billy Mougios 15
15 Max Dacey
Int 2
Myles Gal 16
19 Anthony Russo
Int 3
Mitchell Zampetides 18
21 Celcius Tarawhiti
Int 4
Theodoros Nianiakas 21

Greece men, on the other hand, piled on the points in the second half to defeat a gallant United States 46-10.

Greece began the game well, with stand off Leon Bakis throwing a dummy and racing over to score with just under two minutes of the game played.

Chris Slater-Raptis, making his international debut for Greece after injury forced him out of the 2021 Rugby League World Cup, was unlucky not to add another.

The Hawks hit back in the 20th minute when skipper Peter Lupton put in a cross-field kick that was taken by Ulice Gillard.

The winger was able to out leap his opposite number Sam Stratis and plant the ball down for a try. It came after Lupton landed a 40/20 kick.

Four minutes later, USA hit the front when Greece full-back Tyrone Tsagalias failed to take a high bomb from Lupton, whose excellent kicking game was causing problems.

The hosts used the good field position to perfection with forward Malcolm Webb barging over to score between the posts. Mason McClory added the simple conversion to make it 10-6.

Hawks went close to increasing their lead when Fatai Makahava beat three defenders but lost the ball in the process of scoring.

Greece levelled up just after the half hour when interchange forward Myles Gal spun out of a tackle and crashed over next to the posts, Stratis landing the conversion to make it 12-10 to the visitors.

Right on half-time, half-back Eddie Markopoulos showed and went before racing 30 metres to score and Stratis kicked his third goal of the afternoon to give Greece a 18-10 advantage.

It took just under four minutes of the second half for Greece to extend their lead with Jonny Mitsias crossing wide out. Minutes later, the same player was over again to make it 26-10.

Former NRL player Daniel Vidot, who played 114 matches for Canberra, St George Illawarra, Brisbane and Gold Coast between 2009 and 2017 and also had a stint at Salford, was then sin binned for a crusher tackle on Stratis.

With USA down a player, Greece ran in two tries to be in control at 36-10 through Nicholas Tuliatu and Stratis, who dived over in the corner.

In the 67th minute, Bakis took on the defence on the last tackle and sent the excellent Markopoulos over.

With five minutes remaining, Tsagalias sent Stratis in for his second try and the Greek boys had chances to claim the half century but pushed the pass on a number of occasions.

Sydney Roosters boss Nick Politis presented the man-of-the-match award at the conclusion of the game.

“We brought over 25 players with us to play two matches with the USA. The boys were disappointed that they didn't play in the first game, but it was out of our control,” said Greece Head Coach Steve Georgallis.

“We had many young players in the squad, we are building for the future. There were a lot of 21-, 22-, and 23-year-olds and it was great to watch them play."

5 March 2025