TRL’s Offerdahl earns World Cup honours

Goondiwindi’s Mark Offerdahl is set to add another international tournament to his resume after being chosen in the final squad for the United States in next weekend’s World Cup Nines.

Mark Offerdahl will again line up for the United States. Picture: Zak Simmonds

RUGBY LEAGUE: The Toowoomba Rugby League is set to have a representative at next weekend’s World Cup Nines in Sydney, with Goondiwindi’s Mark Offerdahl named to run out for the United States.

The Boars player-coach has been chosen in the side’s final, continuing a proud history with the Tomahawks.

Offerdahl first played for the United States in 2011, before going on to play in the 2013 and 2017 World Cups, captaining the side in the latter.

He said it an honour to be chosen after coming back to the TRL in 2019, for a tournament featuring some of the best players from the NRL and English Super League.

“It’s great to come out of Goondiwindi and make the side,” Offerdahl said.

“There’s players coming from England, France and around the world, so it’s good to get a look in.

“It’s good for the TRL and good for Goondiwindi.

“Things have been pretty tough of late with the drought and everything, so it’s something to talk about.”

This year marks the inaugural staging of the short-form event, with teams of nine taking the field for 18-minute matches.

The United States has been placed in a proverbial pool of death alongside Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.

The back-rower has limited experience in the shorter format of the game, however said he will give his all in the back-friendly tournament.

“I played against a few club sides in Sydney a few years ago,” Offerdahl said.

“It’s all over the shop and a pretty tough game.

“I think we’ll go with two middles, so we’ll try and do what we always do.”

The World Cup Nines begins on October 19.

Originally published as