American History
In 1939 the Californian Rugby Football Union wrote to the RFL to tell them they wanted to switch from rugby union and affiliate to the RFL. In June 1939 the RFL made plans to send a delegation out to California but were unable to do so due to the outbreak of World War Two.
1950s: American All-Stars
One of the earliest attempts to introduce rugby league to the United States was in 1953, when Mike Dimitro, a wrestling promoter, was asked to organise a tour of Australasia by an American rugby league side. The team was given a huge schedule that included 26 matches against Australian and New Zealand sides. None of the 22 American players had ever played rugby league prior to this tour, they presented themselves in gridiron like attire early on in the tournamenet. The side only won six games as well as drawing two.
Their second match of the tour, against a Sydney side, drew a crowd of 65,453 to the Sydney Cricket Ground. After a consistent lack of competition, crowds were good but never reached the same heights. The tour did not in turn bring any benefits to American rugby league, but Mike Dimitro did not give up, he was able to organise two exhibitions against Australia and New Zealand in California that did not turn out to be a big success. An American side also made a short tour of France in early 1954, including a match against the France national team in Paris. France beat USA 31-0.
Mike Dimitro was still optimistic of developing rugby league in the United States, but his bid to host a Rugby League World Cup in the 1960s failed, most likely due to America's poor record with rugby league. Rugby league was not played again in the United States for decades.
1980s: State of Origin in California
In 1987 an exhibition State of Origin match was played between Queensland and New South Wales at Long Beach, California. The result of this match was not to be included in official statistics, but in recent years the New South Wales Rugby League, and media organisations based in that state have added the win to their tally.
1990s: The return of the United States
The AMNRL has been running a successful domestic competition in the north-east of the United States since 1998. Prior to this, 'Adirondacks', a club based in New York state USA, participated in the 4-team Canadian Tri-County competition in the late 1980s. Since 2002, the Tomahawks have been playing regular international competition in the United States.
Since 1990s, the USA national rugby league team has represented is country and competed against other teams from Australia, Ireland, Japan, Russia, France and England. The AMNRL welcomes new clubs to the national competition each year.
National developments In a effort to reach new audiences, the AMNRL has acquired the Television rights and managed the distribution of, the Australian NRL Competition; the State of Origin Series, and Australian International fixtures through Foxsports International - A total viewing audience of over 22 million households in North America and the Caribbean will now see these games on Fox Sports World! These games produced and played at the highest level will feature advertising and promotions of the AMNRL throughout the games directing potential fans to AMNRL.com.
Legends of the West
(All below played in interantional competition)
| Loren Broussard | Arizona | Wing | 1995-2003 | |
| Ray Lolesio Pua | California | Center | 1995 | |
| Mike Dwyer | Arizona | Forward | 1992-1995 | |
| Duke Ireko | California | Flyhalf | 1994-1996 | |
| Mike Evergin | California | Forward | 1995-1996 | |
| Vea Ofa | Utah | Forward | 2001-2003 | |
| Marcus Maffei | Texas | Fullback | 1995-1997 | |
| Mo Tuifua | Utah | Forward | 2001 | |
| Laau Affuhamango | Texas | Forward | 1995-1997 | |
| David Bowe | Texas | Forward | 1995-1997 | |
| Ra Fifita | Utah | Prop | 2001 | |
| Halafihi Kivalu | Utah | Prop | 2001 | |
| Salty Thompson | Arizona | Scrum-half | 1992 | |