Monday 21 November 2022

Wheelchair RL WC History 2008-21

 2008: Host - Australia. Winner England

Four sides were invited but the NZ team pulled out. Those that attended were England (winner by 44-12), Australia (runner up), France (presumably third) and the Barbarians (an invitation squad to make a fourth team). 

I don't have any other information so if anyone could provide some, please let me know at rdc1234@gmail.com. Thank you. 


2013: Host - Australia. Winner France

After some digging, I managed to get all the results. Six nations were represented in three groups and one crossover game with the other group. This gave each team at least three matches. 

Group Stage: France was convincing winner of its group with Australia advancing with just one win after losing its cross over game with Wales. England took the other Group although it lost its crossover fixture with France. 

Semi Finals/Playoffs/Final: France defeated a spirited Welsh side and likewise England against Australia. The two bottom pool nations went head to head, with Ireland beating Scotland. Third and fourth involved Wales and Australia, the former winning a tight one. The final pitted unbeaten France against England and in a close one, France took the title 42-40.  



2017: Host - Australia. Winner France

There were seven nations this time around, Ireland not here from last time but Italy and Spain added. The top four sides met in a super group and the lesser three in the other.  

Group Stage: France won its group from England, Australia and Wales. Italy took the other ahead of Spain and Scotland.

Semi Finals/Playoffs/Final: France overwhelmed the Group 2 winner and England confirmed its supremacy over Australia. Wales defeated Spain for the fifth spot and Australia was too good for Italy for the third placing. In the Final, England led with moments to go but France sweaked home in a tight one 38-34.



2021: Host - England. Winner England

France was hoping to make it a threepeat but England were well prepared to stand in their way. The average winning margin ratio throughout the Wheelchair competition was 79 to 21 or rounded 8 to 2. The final itself was just four. 

Group Stage: This went as expected for those two top nations but the USA surprised, being at it was the least experienced team. However, Wales defeated them and took the semifinal place in their stead. 

Semifinals/Final: Australia gave France a stern test although never looked like creating a huge upset. Were they keeping some in reserve for the final? England was far too good for Wales, their speed and execution impressive.

The final was always going to be a different animal, with two closely matched sides in the most important game. It certainly didn't disappoint and the better side on the day lifted the trophy. Five tries to three and biased calls from one of the officials keeping it from being more. 

For a round by round summary of the 2021 tournament, simply click on the following labels:

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