'There's a bit of rivalry': Dragons team-mates to face off in trans-Tasman clash

Wheel Kiwis players Mitch Stone and Pele Sulusi have vowed to shock the Wheelaroos as the pair prepare to put their friendship with Dragons team-mate Corey Cannane on hold in Saturday's World Cup clash in Wollongong.

Stone and Sulusi will make their international debuts for New Zealand in the trans-Tasman clash at WIN Entertainment Centre, while Cannane is one of the stars of the Wheelaroos squad.

The trio play for St George Illawarra, along with Wheel Kiwis coach Edie George, but they will be fierce rivals on Saturday.

“We’ve got Corey over there in the Aussie team; we know what he plays like,” said Stone.

“It'll be a bit of fun, a bit of rivalry there; we’re not out there to hurt each other. We are out there to play a game of footy and get the job done.” 

As international loyalties take centre stage, all four remain united by their connections to the Dragons, who reached the NSWRL Wheelchair Grand Final this season.

Canane is considered one of the best players in the game and claimed player of the tournament honours at the Wheelchair Rugby League National Championships earlier this year.

For Stone, who has played for the Dragons for the past five years, the connection to Canane and the familiarity between the two sides adds another layer of interest to the upcoming contest.

“It’s a strong Australian team, and we definitely have our work cut out for us, but if we get those one percenters right, I think we’ve got a chance," he said.

Despite the Wheelaroos hosting a home-court advantage, Stone believes the WheelKiwis are capable of producing an upset against one of the tournament’s favourites.