Tomahawks Send
Raiding Party to Canberra

The USA Tomahawks will arrive in Canberra this Sunday to begin preparations for their eagerly-awaited trial clash with the Raiders next weekend.

The touring party touched down in Australia Wednesday, and will travel to Queanbeyan this Sunday, where they will spend the week promoting the team and preparing for the trial match, to be played at Seiffert Oval next Saturday night (14th February).

The "Tomahawks" will be put to the test against a Raiders team that will be lead by "local boy", Raiders stalwart and Queanbeyan resident Ruben Wiki, before facing the giant Tongans in a forty-minute exhibition the same night.

The Tomahawks, coached by former St.George player and close friend of Raiders Coach Matthew Elliott, David Niu, have named a team that mainly comprises players from the American National Rugby League (ANRL), although a couple of familiar faces will be seen at Seiffert next Saturday night.

Former Raiders junior rep, Ian Mortimer, and former Manly centre Alf Duncan are both included in the squad.

Mortimer, who's mother is American, is currently contracted with St.George and represented the Raiders Jersey Flegg squad (u'20's) in 2002. Duncan currently plays with Newtown in the NSWRL Premier League competition.

The trial kicks-off at 6.00pm, Saturday 14th February, Seiffert Oval Queanbeyan. Tickets available at the gate.

Full squad list for the USA Tomahawks and their ANRL Club listed below:

Coach: David Niu (and president of the ANRL)

Jeff Preston (Captain) Philadelphia Flight Martin O'Donoghue Washington DC Slayers David Faimanifo Washington DC Slayers Phil Shipos New Jersey Sharks and Wyong Roos (AUS) Greg Minniger New Jersey Sharks and Wyong Roos (AUS) Mike Mulvihill Connecticut Wildcats Rich Portale Connecticut Wildcats Marcus Vassilakopoulos Glen Mills Bulls Alf Duncan Newtown Jets (NSWRL Premier League) Jade Porter Moree Boomerangs (AUS) Steve Watene North Sydney Bears (NSWRL Premier League) Greg Swinford New Jersey Sharks Patrick Kelly Philadelphia Fight Matt Astill New York Knights Ian Mortimer St.George Dragons Ed Woodbridge Glen Mills Bulls Kevin Deal Glen Mills Bulls Ian Blake Queensland University Nate Smith University of Louisville Shayne Mains Glen Mills Bulls Adam Dunn New Jersey Sharks