'Creating our own team song was cool': Hawks build culture in Vegas

USA Hawks players created their own team song in Vegas last week and then got to sing it after beating Scotland in an encouraging performance ahead of a proposed tour to Ireland and Wales later in the year.

Inspired by the support of former USA World Cup stars Joseph Paulo, Clint Newton, Mark Offerdahl and Kristian Freed, the Hawks defeated Scotland 28-20 in their first performance under the coaching of Adam Woolnough.

The former Knights, Panthers and Storm prop was proud of the efforts of his players but even more so their determination to build a team culture.

“It was good to get a win and to do it on home soil in the US meant a lot to the boys. It was a great experience and there were so many elements to it that were highlights,” Woolnough said.

“Creating our own team song through a cultural session with the women’s and the men’s teams was really cool.

“We got the women’s and the men’s players to come together, they broke off into groups of six - mixed together - to come up with team songs. They had to present to the rest of the group and perform it. They came up with one that Daniel Vidot actually choreographed.

 “Those sort of things meant a lot to the playing group and it just shows how much the bought into it. Certainly, from the men’s perspective, there was also strength in drawing on the old boys.

“We had Joseph Paulo present a speech in one of our team meetings before we went away, we had old boys in the sheds and watching the game in the stands, including Clint Newton, and Mark Offerdahl and Kristian Freed did video messages that were sent around to the playing group.”

Woolnough was impressed by the way the Hawks responded after completing just 45 per cent of first half possession and conceding a try on halftime when Bravehearts winger Max Anderson-Moore intercepted a pass from Vidot, who played in the secondrow after flying in from a wrestling bout in Japan just four nights earlier.

Zimbabwe-born winger Shingirai Hlanguyo caught Woolnough’s eye – and that of the Knights – while Wes Piggins, a nephew of South Sydney Rabbitohs patriarch George Piggins, was relentless in the secondrow and former Toronto Wolfpack star Ryan Burroughs showed his class at fullback.

“I haven’t spoken to him but I think there is some definite potential for a player like Shingi, who is in his mid-20s to come out [to Australia] and have a crack,” Woolnough said.

“I believe from all reports that he impressed the Newcastle Knights because he went and did an opposed session for them before the game. They were really appreciative and impressed by his speed and IQ around the game, footwork and defensive reads.”

Photo: LA Roosters trio Shingirai Hlanguyo, Esteban Tupuola and Daniel Vidot trained with Newcastle Knights.

Woolnough also praised Utah forward Fatai Makavaha and Brooklyn Kings utility Kyle Granby, who both came off the interchange bench.

The main focus for the Hawks players now is the upcoming USARL season, before the national team embarks on a tour to Ireland and Wales in October.

By coincidence, Woolnough and Wales coach Paul Berry were both at Melbourne Storm training on the eve of the NRL Round 1 clash with Parramatta and they discussed plans for the international fixtures.

“He is out here doing a bit of a study tour and I was there to present a jersey to a debutant, so we got chatting about making sure we are progressing and promoting the international game. There is a commitment there from those nations in and around our ranking to play as many games as we can,” Woolnough said.

“Personally, and I spoke to the Welsh coach about it, I would like to add a sprinkling of quality to that tour. Maybe some of those fringe first graders or some that have played a handful of games could come into the team so we can start integrating them.”

Newcastle hooker Harrison Graham, Brisbane Broncos prop Ben Te Kura, Sydney Roosters forward De La Salle Va'a and his brother Xavier, who plays for York, and Dragons rookie Xavier Vaivai, whose father Junior Vaivai played for the Hawks, are among the US heritage players with NRL or Super League clubs.

“That will be part of my focus now, to talk to clubs and players and agents about who is eligible and interested in playing for the US,” he said.

“If they don’t know who is coaching, what the program is and what the vision is there may be a reluctance, but some of the players I have spoken to are really keen to honour their heritage through their mum or dad or grandparents or even their place of birth.”