England’s world champion wheelchair team have warmed up for their upcoming two-Test Ashes series against the Wheelaroos with back-to-back wins over NSW and Queensland.
The World Cup winners in 2022 will play Australia in the opening Test of the Wheelchair Ashes series on Thursday at Gold Coast Sports and Leisure Centre, with the second Test on Sunday at the same venue.
The two Tests bookend the LCA NRL Wheelchair Championships, starting on Friday on the Gold Coast, which will feature seven teams, including a New Zealand squad and an Affiliate States team, each vying for the coveted Joseph Chidiac Cup.
The Wheelaroos, who are playing at home for the first time since England’s last tour in 2019, will use the series to help prepare for their RLWC26 campaign in Australia next October and November.
After beating NSW 86-10 at the Whitlam Sports Centre in Liverpool last Friday, England coach Tom Coyd enthused about the welcome England his team have received since arriving in Australia - including from the Penrith Panthers club.
“For us to be hosted by the Panthers has been incredible,” said the England coach.
“I’d say they’ve been the most successful sports club in the world for the last five years, certainly at such an elite level, but they have gone out of their way to be hospitable – including Matt Cameron, their CEO, who has been really engaged about Wheelchair Rugby League and inclusive sport.”
England had a tougher encounter on Monday night against Queensland, winning 72-60 at the Caloundra Sports Centre.
Nathan Collins, the Leeds Rhinos pivot who scored 20 points in the second half of England’s opening victory against NSW, relished the chance to start against Queensland by scoring two tries and making another as they came from behind to take a 42-24 half-time lead.
Joe Coyd, the London Roosters forward who won the Wheels of Steel award as the outstanding player of the domestic season, scored England’s first two tries and also made one for Collins.
However, the Queenslanders gave England a real fright by taking a 12-6 lead and continuing to compete strongly throughout.
Collins was presented afterwards with the Player of the Match award named after one of his England team-mates, Jack Brown, in recognition of his contribution to the development of Wheelchair Rugby League in five years working in Queensland before he returned home to Halifax last winter.
Tom Coyd MBE, the England head coach, said: “That was a really nice tribute to Jack. He didn’t manage to win his own award, but it was very clear from the way everyone spoke that they are absolutely grateful up here in Queensland for what he’s done for the sport”.
Zac Schumacher scored five tries for Queensland and Bayley McKenna landed nine goals from as many attempts – a warning to England as both are set to be key players for the Wheelaroos in the two Tests on the Gold Coast.
