Clint Newton and Daniel Howard sing the US national anthem. Photo: Getty Images
They are the Canberra brothers living the most improbable of World Cup dreams.
But for one day, Stephen and Danny Howard will rub shoulders with some of the biggest names in rugby league when the USA Tomahawks take on the star-studded Kangaroos in a quarter-final on Saturday night (Australian time).
Stephen is a third-year law student at the University of Canberra, works full-time installing pergolas and was the best and fairest for the Tuggeranong Bushrangers in the Canberra Raiders Cup.
US and Canberra player Daniel Howard during the win over the Cook Islands. Photo: Getty Images
Older brother Danny owns a plumbing business in Sydney and plays for Wentworthville in the NSW Cup.
''It's mind-blowing how blessed we are to be in this position,'' Stephen said.
''It's a change of scenery for me playing football in a professional environment.
''I've had the best time over here and wouldn't change it for the world.''
The Tomahawks have been the Cinderella story of the tournament.
Written off as cannon fodder before a tackle had been made, they booked their spot in the final eight with victories against the Cook Islands (32-20) and Wales (24-16).
A 22-8 loss to Scotland in their final pool game failed to take the gloss off the US achievement of reaching the finals.
''Over half the squad played with us in the qualifiers in Philadelphia [against Jamaica and South Africa] two years ago, so we got to know a lot of the guys there,'' Stephen said. ''We're as tight as can be and we're all great mates.''
The Howard brothers were born in Los Angeles before the family moved back to Canberra when they were young.
Both attended Marist College before Danny relocated to Sydney to take up a contract with the Roosters.
He played alongside NSW State-of-Origin five-eighth James Maloney at the Newtown Jets, the Roosters' feeder club, in the 2008 NSW Cup grand final before switching to Wentworthville.
The 28-year-old has started all three games at lock for the Tomahawks, while Stephen played the opening game against the Cook Islands and was 18th man for the following two fixtures.
He admitted to being in awe of the Kangaroos, especially NSW skipper Paul Gallen.
''I'll be looking to swap my jersey with Paul Gallen after the game if I can,'' he said.
''I'm a massive fan but, at the same time, we can't give them too much respect.
''We've just got to concentrate on our own game if we want to give ourselves a shot.''
Penrith Panthers veteran Clint Newton and Parramatta Eels utility Joseph Paulo have fitted in seamlessly to the Tomahawks' squad.
''Everyone gets treated exactly the same, there's no egos here in camp,'' Stephen said.
''At the start I was slightly star struck to be hanging around with them, but after having a chat with them for two minutes you realise they're like everyone else and they treat everyone exactly the same.''
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