History awaits as the New Zealand Wheel Kiwis squad is named to represent Aotearoa, in what will be their first-ever Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup campaign in Wollongong, Australia.
The milestone competition will be held from 30 October, with the Wheel Kiwis set to face Australia, France, and Scotland in Pool B.
Preparation for the World Cup has been building since early 2026, with a wider squad following a dedicated training programme and competing in the 2026 LCA NRL Wheelchair Championships and the recent inaugural NZRL Wheelchair Nationals.
The selected Wheel Kiwis 10-man squad combines experience, strength, and emerging talent, with five returning members from the first-ever Test side that faced Australia in 2024.
Among those returning are Nikia Fa’atau, Kauri Murray, and Wheel Kiwi #1 Jayson Hooker, who will captain the team throughout their World Cup campaign.
The squad also features five debutants in Jack Brown, Hayden Delves, Joshua Hirini-Barclay, Pele Sulusi, and Mitch Stone. While yet to earn Test caps, all five have experience in the national programme, representing the New Zealand Resident Wheel Kiwis sides that competed in the 2025 and 2026 LCA NRL Wheelchair Championships.
Head Coach Edie George will also return to lead the team, having been instrumental in the Wheel Kiwis programme since their maiden 2024 campaign. George has continued to develop the side through the 2025 and 2026 LCA NRL Wheelchair Championships and the NZRL Wheelchair Nationals.
“Representing Aotearoa at our first-ever Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup is a huge honour for this group," Geroge said.
"We’ve worked incredibly hard to get here, and I’m proud of the commitment, growth, and belief the players have shown. We’re excited to take this next step together and represent New Zealand on the world stage.”
The team will continue their preparations in the coming weeks, with the squad set to come together in Auckland for a connection and training camp before travelling to Australia for the World Cup.
New Zealand Wheel Kiwis squad
1. Jack Brown*
2. Ryan Charles #6
3. Hayden Delves*
4. Nikia Fa’atau #2
5. Joshua Hirini-Barclay*
6. Jayson Hooker (C) #1
7. Kauri Murray (VC) #4
8. Pele Sulusi*
9. Mitch Stone*
10. Jamie Tapp #7
*Denotes debutant
New Zealand Wheel Kiwis staff
Head Coach: Edie George
Assistant Coach: Robert Graham (Wheel Kiwi #3)
Head Trainer: Lincoln Jefferson
Team Manager: Korral Heremaia
Physio: Megan Blair
Wellbeing Manager: Kylie Leuluai
Media Manager: Jeremy Siulepa
Analyst: Joseph Pouniu
