The Tuesday Wrap: Wheelchair World Cup

Six tries for France’s Jeremy Bouson earned him a second Player of the Match medal – that’s now 13 for the tournament after his seven against the Scots.

It took the Wheel Kiwis 45 minutes to score, but when Kauri Murray reached out to plant the ball in the right corner he raised the roof at WIN Entertainment Centre.

Thirteen minutes later and teammate Nikia Fa’atau crossed to reinforce the Wheel Kiwis are determined to make their presence felt. That was Fa’atus third try for the tournament.

“It’s hard with the some of the results against us but we’re a new team – first time here (World Cup) – and we have a great culture already,” Fa’atau told NRL.com.

“It’s about playing for our families back home and staking a claim so we can set up a future for the others coming through.”

For France, the Clausells clan did their part for the win and showcased the egalitarian nature of the sport in the process.

Uncle Gilles Clausells had a couple of try assists for his nephew Nicolas Clausells in the first half and the trend continued in the second as the pair continually supported each other’s runs.

Nicolas scored four tries off six line-breaks, but also adds value as a goalkicker with eight goals.

In Wheelchair Rugby League the only stipulation for the five players on court is that three are disabled, two able-bodied, and any mix of genders. This means family members can play together.

Scotland, Ireland and Wales all have females on their teams at the 2026 tournament.

Pool B: Australia 104 def. Scotland 24

The Scots held their line for eight minutes under extreme pressure from the Wheelaroos but several attacking raids were finally rewarded with Australia’s first try to Zac Schumacher, who now has six in two games.

“We executed pretty well but still got away from us in parts of the game with errors we shouldn’t be making,” Schumacher told NRL.com.

Australia still muscled its way to a 44-12 halftime lead before scoring another 10 tries. Player of the Match went to Adam Tannock with six.

“There were a few different combinations on the court today so we can see what works the best,” Schumacher said.

“But we’re definitely building for the big one on Friday – France.”

Schmacher scored twice in the semi-final against France four years ago and is keen for another crack.

“We haven’t played France since 2022 but we’ve played England a couple of times and come pretty close to the reigning champs. So you could say we’re eager.

“We know we control our path to this World Cup’s finals. But we need to put it all together against France.”

Schumacher said Tannock’s try haul – with a broken finger that he is frustrating physios with – is a sign of the grit in the Wheelaroos.

“He actually broke it in July in our training camp after nationals. But with everything that is happening at this end of the year he can’t afford to take time off to let it heal, which is getting him in trouble with the physios.

“But he’s a power machine. He knows his role and the speed he’s got is sensational.”

Pool A: Ireland 68 def. Wales 28

Before the anthems were played a minute’s silence was held for Irish marathon runner Cian Horgan, who died from cancer on Monday at the age of 34.

Irish players and staff all wore black armbands.

Maybe it provided some inspiration as the Irish were only two points ahead (26-24) with 20 minutes left to play but then piled on seven tries to one to run away with it.

Skipper Joseph Calcott put in a fine captain’s knock with six tries to claim the Player of the Match award.

“Really strong start from Wales but I think we let a few nerves creep in. But for the second half we were far more composed,” Calcott said.

“This is a game, a dominant game, that we can work from,” he said, cognisant that the Wolvehounds’ next match against current world champions England on Friday.

Dragons goalkicker Matthew Turner celebrated his 17th birthday with four goals and his first try of the tournament, making him Wales’ top pointscorer.

Pool A: England 134 def. USA 0

England rested their 11-try hero from Round 1, Robert Hawkins, and still scored 23 times via eight different players.

It only took 33 seconds from the whistle for England’s Tristan Norfolk to score first and the floodgates never shut.

They were sitting comfortably 58-0 at half-time off the back of 10 tries and added another 13 in the second 40 minutes.

“All week we’ve been banging on about playing to the best of our ability no matter what,” said captain Mason Billington.

“I’m really proud of the boys and the way we just kept at it.

“I’m over the moon with some of the brilliant performances from our side.”

The choice of Player of the Match wasn’t easy with the sprinkling of points across the whole 10-man squad but goalkicker Finlay O’Neill claimed it with 15 conversions from 16 attempts and two individual tries.

Next match for England is against Ireland on Friday, while the Wheel Hawks take on Wales.