Vaivai finished the regular season as the competition’s second highest point-scorer despite missing games while on mid-season duty with the Hawks.

It was a campaign that saw him named player of the tournament in the Colonial Cup series against Canada having also been a part of the qualifying process in 2015.

The squad also includes Bureta Faraimo, Eddie Pettybourne, Gabriel Farley, Daniel and Stephen Howard, Kristin Freed and Mark Offerdahl who were part of the Hawks run into the quarter finals at the 2013 Cup.

Skipper, and former Illawarra Cutter, Offerdahl, said the squad will be looking to match or better that result.

“This World Cup once again puts the USA Rugby League on the global stage,” he said.

“I'm proud to wear the red, white and blue and will continue to help grow the game in the US anyway I can.”