USA’s new assistant coach will partner with head Coach Brian McDermott (Leeds Rhinos) and head-trainer Sean Rutgerson as they prepare team USA ‘Hawks’ to compete at the Rugby League World Cup 2017 in Australia, New Zealand & PNG.

Kimmorley (40) an Australian former professional rugby league footballer, New South Wales Origin and Australian international representative halfback also played for Australia during the 2000 Rugby League World Cup.

Kimmorley retired from the NRL in 2010, and has since gained experience as head coach for Wests Devils Rugby League and as a specialist Halfback Coach at Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs, Canberra Raiders assistant coach and Wests Tigers National Youth Competition Head Coach.

He added, “I look forward to sharing my knowledge of the game and assisting the players with their performance not only in the World Cup, but also when they return to America. I have played in a World Cup and view it as the pinnacle of international game and will do my best to achieve the best results that we can.”

McDermott who successfully guided the USA to qualify in 2015 was excited about the prospect of Kimmorley joining the USA team, “Getting Brett Kimmorley on board with the coaching staff is fantastic news. He’s a pedigree player and his status in the game will only bring more attention to the USA’s World Cup journey. Practically speaking, Brett will add a dynamic to our coaching staff that will certainly give us an edge in planning, prep and practice.”

The announcement comes on the heels of USA winning their last five representative matches including the annual Colonial Cup (USA vs. Canada) earlier this month in Wilmington, Delaware.

USARL Chairman Peter Illfield celebrated the announcement, “Brett will add another dimension and more experience to the USA Hawks coaching staff with his hands-on approach supporting Mac.”

Chairman Illfield continued, “Brett was introduced to me by newly recruited USA Hawks player, Junior Vaivai. Junior played under Noddy at Wests Devils and was selected to represent NSW Country Firsts. Recruiting Junior to the Hawks has proven very valuable with him traveling to Canada and the USA in September and October for the 2-test series Colonial Cup. He sealed a win with a last-minute try and conversion in the second test against the Canada Wolverines to reclaim the Colonial Cup for the USARL. We welcome Brett and look forward to RLWC2017."

The USA Hawks’ first Rugby League World Cup 2017 pool game is against Fiji Bati on 28 October 2017 at Townsville Stadium.

Tickets for the Rugby League World Cup 2017 go on sale to the general public this Thursday, 27 October 2016.
Ticket prices start from $10 for kids and concessions, $20 for adults and $45 for a family of four. 

View the full tournament draw and ticket details here.

Source: USA Rugby League