Woolnough era starts in winning style for USA

A new international era for USA rugby league under former NRL prop Adam Woolnough began in winning style with the Hawks defeating Scotland in Las Vegas.

The Hawks, whose side included former NRL star Daniel Vidot, trailed 12-10 at halftime but proved too strong in the second half against an ill-disciplined Bravehearts side.

The Test was Woolnough’s first in charge since being appointed earlier this year and he was assisted by former Knights team-mate Cory Paterson in plotting the 28-20 win.

After a slow start, the Hawks took advantage of a string of second half penalties to take the lead after hooker and man-of-the-match Jace Delaney raced over from dummy half in the 46th minute.

The Bravehearts were made to pay further when secondrower Wes Piggins - the Florida-based nephew of South Sydney Rabbitohs patriarch George Piggins - used sheer strength to score five minutes later.

Quick hands saw Bravehearts winger Harrison Goldthorpe scored out wide and he helped produce a try saving tackle to prevent USA opposite David Washington from responding at the opposite end.

However, they again paid the price for poor discipline when Tevita Bryce crashed over from close range to extend the USA’s lead to 28-16 midway through the second half.

A tap on pass from Goldthorpe created an overlap for Jacob Grierson to score out wide and give Scotland a chance to snatch a late victory but the Hawks hung on to win 28-20.

Woolnough said: “This is a new start for the rugby league in the US”.

USARL director Joe Kelly - CEO of Sydney Roosters, who sponsor the Hawks teams - said Woolnough had built a great spirit within the team in a short period.

The Hawks Women also performed strongly, coming from 10-0 down at halftime to draw level before going down 26-14.

Kelly congratulated the Hawks on behalf of Sydney Roosters, as a partner in USARL, and predicted they would continue to build after going down 46-10 to Greece 12 months ago in Vegas.

Making the performance even more impressive was the fact that some players only had one training session with the team, including Vidot, who arrived after a Japanese wrestling bout on Monday.

Vidot joined United States team-mates Shingirai Hlanguyo and Esteban Tupuola in an opposed session with the Knights in Vegas on Thursday.

“They were saying ‘what, you're still playing?'. I told them, 'yeah, I still try'. For me I think I need to get that fix of playing league still," Vidot told Rugbyjp.com after Monday night's All Japan Pro Wrestling event.

“I love both things - footy and wrestling - (and) right now I want to take on whatever challenges come my way."

The former Raiders, Dragons, Broncos and Titans winger switched into the forwards under Woolnough, who played more than 150 NRL matches in the frontrow for the Knights, Panthers and Storm.

“I love rugby league, I always have. I want it to grow and especially in USA," said Vidot, who moved to the USA in 2018 to pursue a wrestling career with WWE.

"I think there's massive potential there. Not taking away from the NFL, but we do 80 minutes without breaks and no pads. I encourage everyone to watch this weekend.”

The USA-Scotland Men's and Women's double-header at Cougar Stadium were the first IRL sanctioned international fixtures of 2026.

Both matches were live-streamed on NRL.com

Part of the annual Rugby League Las Vegas festival, headlined by the season opening Cowboys-Knights and Bulldogs-Dragons double-header at Allegiant Stadium, the USA-Scotland event also included an U19s international.

USARL chair, Matt Goschnick, said: “The USARL board is excited to see all the squads get together and to build on last year’s event here. It shows a commitment to pathways and development".