'We're ready to take over': McKenna's warning to World Cup heavyweights

Wheelaroos captain Bayley McKenna has issued a warning to Wheelchair World Cup heavyweights England and France, declaring: “We are coming”.

England enter IRL Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup 2026 as the No.1 ranked nation – a position they have held since ending France’s nine-year domination in the final of the last tournament in Manchester in 2022.

But McKenna predicted there could be a changing of the guard in Wollongong, which will host the tournament in entirety at WIN Entertainment Centre from Friday’s opening matches until the final on October 13.

“We're coming, we’re on our way and we are ready to take over,” McKenna said. “We've been putting in so much work to get a win. We aren’t going to back down."

The Australian team has building since the last World Cup and came away from last year’s Ashes series against England on the Gold Coast confident that they could win, despite falling just short in both Tests.

“So much work has been getting put in behind the scenes with us that we aren’t broadcasting to anyone, but we've got some swagger about us this year,” McKenna said.

“It’s just the brotherhood we've got, the connections we've got, who we are as people, and the home ground advantage, I think, is really going to help us.”

McKenna was speaking at a media launch for the Wheelchair World Cup which kicks off on Friday with Ireland meeting USA and England taking on Wales in Pool A matches.

The Wheelchair matches will be followed by a Men’s and Women’s double-header at the adjoining WIN Stadium, with England Men playing PNG Kumuls in a clash both teams must win to keep their finals hopes alive, while England Women face Fetu Samoa in a play-off for a semi-final spot.

Fans are encouraged to take advantage of a "World Cup Magic Round" ticket offer whereby anyone with a ticket to the Men's and Women's double-header can gain free entry to Friday's Wheelchair fixtures.

Australia open their campaign against New Zealand on Saturday, while France play Scotland in the other Pool B match.

For McKenna, a 2025 Golden Boot finalist, it will be a proud moment as the Townsville product captains Australia for the first time.

“It means everything, man. I’m so keen to get around the boys and have a cracking tournament,” he said.

“To be able to come down here and be a part of this environment as a World Cup and to be representing Australia, the coat of arms and especially being at home, I am so excited. It’s going to be a really good tournament.”

For many  fans, the World Cup will be the first time they have seen Wheelchair Rugby League and McKenna predicted they would enjoy the physicality of the sport, as well as the skill.

“It's a non-contact sport, but there is plenty of contact, so they should be aware of that,” he said.

“There are big hits, tyre explosions, people getting injured, broken hands, broken fingers, broken wrist, broken arms, dislocated shoulders, that sort of thing.”