Vidot to debut for USA Hawks in South Africa

Former NRL star Daniel Vidot is set to make his debut for the United States in Wednesday's opening Test against South Africa in Pretoria.

Vidot, who played 114 NRL matches for the Raiders, Dragons, Broncos and Titans, was selected for the Hawks after playing for DC Cavalry in the USARL's north-east Rugby League United conference.

He has previously played 10 Tests for Samoa, including the 2013 World Cup and 2014 Four Nations tournament.

The 34-year-old moved to the United States in 2018 to pursue a career with the WWE and qualifies for the Hawks under International Rugby League's five-year residency rule.

USA coach Sean Rutgerson, the former Canberra and North Sydney Bears forward, has chosen Vidot in the centres for the first Test against the Rhinos on Wednesday in Pretoria.

South Africa will host a second Test against the Hawks on Saturday, also in Pretoria.

“We look forward to this opportunity, two games in South Africa is a real challenge to the players,” said Rutgerson, who played three Tests for the Rhinos at the 2000 World Cup.

“It's a great chance for them to grow as we continue to build the programme.”

The USA will host Greece in a men's and women's double-header in Vegas on February 28, coinciding with the quadruple header at Allegiant Stadium on March 1 featuring the Raiders-Warriors and Panthers-Sharks NRL matches, an historic Australia-England women's Test and Super League clash between Wigan and Warrington.

The NRL will also conduct a talent combine and Vegas 9s tournament. 

The Pretoria Tests are the first time the Rhinos have hosted the Hawks, with their last meeting, in October 2011 in Philadelphia, resulting in a 40-4 win by USA.

Both nations have picked domestic players only in a further attempt to develop the game in their respective nations, with South Africa building up to the 2025 World Series against France, Jamaica and Cook Islands.

“This venture will prove to our lads the level of preparation needed, mental and body wise, to compete at this level," South Africa coach Fanie Bredenhann said. 

South Africa have also announced their intention to bid to host the 2030 IRL Men’s World Cup.

“We are excited to welcome USA Hawks and look forward to what promises to be a competitive and high-quality series of matches,” Rhinos team manager Andre Coetzer said.

“This is an incredible opportunity to test ourselves on the international stage.”

Veteran Hawks captain Peter Lupton, who played for London, Hull, Castleford and Workington, while also representing Wales, said the trip to South Africa was the first step towards a place in the 2030 World Cup.

“This tour is a great test for the USARL to show the intent of being a strong nation for the next World Cup cycle,” Lupton said.

Both Tests will be streamed on www.sarugbyleague.co.za

South Africa Rhinos (squad)

Allan Kasselman, Brandan Le Sar, Chrisjan Meyer, CP Louw, Dylan Venter, Franco van Deventer, Heinrich Rademeyer, Jason Makari, Jean Coetzer, Marcelle Corneelsen, Simba Janga, Wessel Cronje, Wynand de Sousa (Harlequins RL), James Cambell, Junaide Seedat, C-Jay Strauss, Frikkie Jansen, Graig Pienaar, Rourke Lyte-Mason (Nigel Rabbitohs)

USA Hawks (squad)

Anson Jiang, Peter Lupton (Boston 13s) Tevita Bryce, Kyle Granby, Derek Lipscomb, Dom Sofe, Anthony Russo (Brooklyn Kings) Ryan Burroughs, Max Dacey, Ethan Ferrick, Daniel Vidot (DC Cavalry) Ryan Bannerot, Mason McCrory, David Washington (Jacksonville Axemen) Ulice Gillard, Wes Piggins, Andre Williams (Southwest Florida Copperheads) Joe Eichner, Gunnar Johnson (Tampa Mayhem)