In 2019 the organizers of the 2021 Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup announced the United States as one of the countries invited to participate in the tournament.[2] At the time of the invite there was no national team, so Australian Geoff Mason, a former player, was recruited to form a team.
History
2021 World Cup
Following try-outs a squad of 11 domestically based players was chosen and flew to England for the Cup.[3] The squad was captained by Jeff Townsend who had previously played wheelchair basketball and included just one non-disabled player, Micah Johnson.[4] In England the squad was joined by Matthew Wooloff, a player based in the United Kingdom.[4]
The team's first ever competitive match was against Scotland in Sheffield on November 4 with the US winning 62–41 with Mackenzie Johnson being named player of the match.[5]
The second group match was against Wales with the US defeated 32–50 in a hard fought game.[6] The defeat left the US team with a chance of qualifying for the semi-finals but it would require Wales lose their last group game against Scotland while the US team would have to beat defending world champions and number 1 seeds, France.
The game against France was a one-sided affair as France ran in 21 tries to win 116–6 with Mackenzie Johnson scoring the only try for the US.[7] Mackenzie Johnson was named in the RLWC2021 Wheelchair Team of the Tournament.[8]
Hosting Wales
The team played its first matches at home in February 2024 when they hosted a two-match tour by Wales.[9] Both matches were played at the Sports Center in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Wales won both matches.[10]
