Cronulla Sharks rookie Ronaldo Mulitalo has been called up by the USA for the World 9s in Sydney in October

Author: Troy Whittaker NRL.com Reporter
Timestamp: Wed 11 Sep 2019, 06:33 PM

Exciting Sharks rookie Ronaldo Mulitalo is set to represent the United States in the inaugural World Cup 9s tournament in October at Bankwest Stadium.

The athletic winger - who won't feature in Cronulla's sudden-death finals match against Manly on Saturday due to suspension - was included in USA's 20-man squad on Wednesday.

The New Zealand-born Mulitalo, 19, qualifies for selection through his American Samoan descent. He has scored five tries in eight NRL appearances to date.

Finals snapshot: Sharks

He follows in the footsteps of former Shark Joseph Paulo, who captained the USA at the 2013 World Cup.

Jay Florimo, the son of North Sydney legend Greg, was also announced in the USA squad after being recruited by coach Sean Rutgerson.

Greg Florimo and Rutgerson played together at the Bears in 1998 and 1999.

Now 29, Jay Florimo previously played NYC for Wests Tigers and now turns out for The Entrance on NSW's Central Coast.

"Jay’s mother was born on a US army base in Germany to an American father,” Rutgerson said.

“I tried to get in contact with him last year, was unsuccessful but was told when I took over that he was eligible.

World Cup 9s launch

“He actually finally got back to me on Facebook Messenger recently and I got him to send all his stuff."

Former Rabbitohs and Panthers outside back Junior Vaivai joins Mulitalo and ex-Souths, Tigers and Titans forward Eddy Pettybourne as the only squad members with NRL experience.

Vaivai, who is contracted to French club Toulouse Olympique, is the nephew of Hollywood star Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.

Australian prop Brock Davies, who tried out for NFL champions the New England Patriots in 2017, is poised to debut for the Hawks alongside Mulitalo and Florimo.

The US face a tough draw at the World 9s with Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea in their pool.