Newton hits back at Tomahawks critics

Nov 13, 2013 - 6:01 PM Clint Newton has hit back at suggestions the United States rugby league team is nothing more than a bunch of Australian mercenaries bending the World Cup rules.

Although, like the vast majority of his teammates, the Newcastle-bound NRL player speaks with an Australian accent, he is one of a host a players with genuine American credentials.

And the South Carolina-born Newton says no one will be prouder to wear the stars and stripes when the Tomahawks take on the Kangaroos in Saturday's quarter-final in Wrexham.

"I'm a very passionate United States person," he said.

"It really does get my back up when we've copped a load of criticism over the last few weeks from the foreign press over here saying we're bending the rules and that some of us shouldn't be qualifying.

"You don't have to look too far to count how many players were actually born and bred in certain countries that are playing in this tournament.

"It's no different to the Olympics. England seem to be pulling people from all over the place to represent them in the Olympics, aren't they?

"We've played by the rules - we've got 11 nationals and this is something that we're proud of."

Newton, 32, who was born in America while his famous golfing father Jack was playing on the US circuit, has played a key role in the Tomahawks' surprise wins over the Cook Islands and Wales that enabled them to top Group D and earn a place in the knockout stages.

The ball-playing backrower realised a long-held ambition when he made his debut for the USA in their opening World Cup match in Bristol.

"It's taken the best part of 13 years for me to get to his point," Newton said.

"... I can't thank the guys enough who got us into this position by winning the qualifiers to let me be a part of this.

"It's a pretty humbling experience because those guys worked their tails off to get us here.

"For me to now jump on at the business end of the trip, I'm honoured and just hopeful to do them proud."

Still rated at 500-1 for the tournament, hopes of beating Australia are slim for the US, but that will not prevent them giving their all.

"Saturday is going to be the highlight of the guys' careers and the highlight of mine," said former Gold Coast winger Matt Petersen, who will retire after the tournament.

Source: AAP