Rhinos Ready to Charge

By Daniel Roberts

In 2014, the Rhinos made it to the South Conference Final with the help of their three import players, losing out the Central Florida Warriors 42-26. However, determined to build on their first season the side headed into 2015 with a renewed desire to win and an all home-grown US squad.

Two players who have been with the team since its inception are Club Captain, Nick Newlin and utility back, Terrance Williams and they are more than focused on the job in hand.

Originally from Port Washington, WI, Nick Newlin spent four years on active duty in the United States Marine Corps. from 2008 to 2012; with 2 deployments to Afghanistan, before he joined the Atlanta Rhinos side. Newlin started out playing rugby union in college and continued to play whilst in the military before coming across the Rhinos just 2 weeks before training camp in their inaugural season. Honoured to just be a part of the team, Newlin was then given some exciting news.

“I was chosen as captain of the team by our 3 Aussie imports that we had over last year prior to our first game and I couldn’t have been more proud and honored to take on the leadership role. I think the guys embraced me as a leader from the start and being able to carry over that into this year has really helped us along.  We do not have a set coach and myself and Salesi Tongamoa have been taking on player/coaching roles this year while I also captain the side.”

Newlin was far from overwhelmed by his appointment as captain in the Rhinos first ever season in the USARL and led his troops from the front, walking away with the ‘Coaches Player’ award and the respect of the entire squad. However, it isn’t just his own team that he has impressed since joining the Rhinos as he was chosen in the USA Pioneers squad to play both the New Zealand Police squad and the European Super League’s Leeds Rhinos in January 2015. His days of representing the US are far from over though as he is also in the 35 man player pool for the USA Hawks.

“Being chosen in the 35 man player pool is a feeling I can’t even describe at this moment, it means a lot to possibly be able to represent my country on the grandest stage for rugby league after fighting for my country and honoring the stars and stripes.”

Rhinos utility back, Terrance Williams grew up in Hartford, CT before moving to Georgia when he was 13, but only started playing rugby three years ago and that was for the opposing code, rugby union. It was Daryl ‘Spinner’ Howland, who has been an influential figure in the growth of the game in the US, that first spotted Williams playing a college union game and asked him to try out for the Atlanta Rhinos.

“I was chosen as a starter by the 3 Aussie imports that we had last season and I've been a starter ever since. I'm very proud of my team and how far we've come and everything that we have accomplished this season without any import players or an actual coach. That just makes the victory after winning a game that much sweeter.”

As last season came to an end, Williams joined his captain in winning an award at the end of year banquet, being named ‘Most Improved Back’. He was so improved in fact, that he was also selected to play against the New Zealand Police and Leeds Rhinos, before being one of only two American players to join the Leeds side in their pre-season camp.

“I was actually pretty honored to receive this award and it was such a great feeling to know that my teammates had voted me most improved back. I was also honored to be chosen to play in the USA vs New Zealand police team game, as well as being apart of the game where the USA pioneers took on the Leeds Rhinos. I was one of two Americans picked to train with the Leeds Rhinos for a week during their training camp down in Jacksonville FL. and I have to say that it was easily one of the best moments in my life.”

The only other thing that Williams could hope for was selection in the USA Hawks squad for the Firehouse Subs World Cup Qualifiers - Americas, but for a while it seemed that Williams would not be joining his club captain Nick Newlin in the 35 man pool as he waited and waited for the email confirmation of the initial squad to drop in his inbox.

“I wasn't included in the email that went out to each player stating whether or not they made the team so I began getting concerned. Hours later my team captain Nick Newlin forwarded me the email that I was included in saying that I made the 35 man pool. It was such an exciting and surreal moment for me at the time. I couldn't believe it. I look forward to putting on that jersey, going to war with my USA brothers and defending my country, but I wouldn't be where I am right now without God, family, friends, my teammates and Spinner.”

So what exactly is it that has made the Rhinos into one of the best teams in the USARL within two years? Atlanta’s captain Nick Newlin believes that he has the answer.

“We only have one player on our team with more than two years of rugby league experience.  Most of us have just started to nail down the fundamentals of this game over the first few weeks of the season. But we play with incredible confidence in our abilities and know that if we can come together as a team we can achieve great things.”

Event Schedule and info:

• Early Bird Tickets Until 6:00pm on Wednesday August 26. (CLICK HERE)
• Discount Hotel Rates can also be found on the ticket page
• BEST ENTRY is the North side of UNF Campus and park in LOT 18
• August 29, 4:30pm Gates Open
• $10 walk-up entry / $15 Chop Zone seating with in-seat concessions service
• Kids 13 and Under are FREE
• Full Concessions available on site
• Team Merchandise will be sold onsite during the event
• 5:00pm North vs. South All Star Game
• 6:50pm National Championship Pre-game starts
• 7:00pm Kickoff to the USA Rugby League National Championship Game
• 8:45pm post game presentations
• 9:00pm Post Game Social with players for all four teams at TIME OUT SPORTS GRILL on Beach Blvd.