New Zealand national wheelchair rugby league team

New Zealand
Team information
NicknameWheel Kiwis
RegionAsia-Pacific
IRL ranking 9 Increase 1 (19 December 2024)[1]
Team results
First international
Biggest defeat
World Cup
Appearances0

The New Zealand national wheelchair rugby league team represents New Zealand in wheelchair rugby league.

History

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When the first Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup was held in Australia in 2008, it was planned that New Zealand would take part, but the team withdrew shortly before the start of the tournament. They were replaced by a scratch team, the Pacific Island Barbarians, which included former New Zealand international Tawera Nikau.[2][3] As one of the top three rugby league nations, the absence of a wheelchair team representing New Zealand at the 2021 World Cup was notable and led to a number of groups, including the Warriors Community Foundation, New Zealand Rugby League and Disability Sport Auckland, working towards developing the sport in New Zealand with the aim of participating in the next World Cup. Assistance has also come from Australia with the Wheelaroos keen to build a strong trans-Tasman rivalry.[4][5][6] In November 2024, the New Zealand team played their first international match in a Test series against Australia at the Eventfinda Stadium, Auckland. Jamie Tapp became the first player to score for New Zealand, but Australia won both matches for a 2–0 series victory.[7][8] In December 2024, New Zealand were included in the World Rankings for the first time.[9]

Results

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Date Opponent Score Competition Venue Attendance Ref.
1 November 2024  Australia 4–98 Two match series friendly Eventfinda Stadium, Auckland [7]
4 November 2024  Australia 8–110 [8]

References

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  1. ^ "IRL World Rankings: Wheelchair". International Rugby League. 19 December 2024. Retrieved 19 December 2024.
  2. ^ "Wheelchair Rugby League tournament". 9 November 2008. Archived from the original on 12 November 2008.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  3. ^ "England Wheelchair team beat Australia in World Cup". RLEF. 7 November 2008. Archived from the original on 28 December 2009.
  4. ^ "NZ Wheelchair eyeing RLWC2026 with Australian backing". International Rugby League. 23 April 2024. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
  5. ^ "Wheelchair rugby league is the newest battleground for sport between Australia and New Zealand". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 30 October 2024. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
  6. ^ "New trans-Tasman rivalry to boost wheelchair game in Pacific". NRL. 31 October 2024. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
  7. ^ a b "McKenna stars as Wheelaroos start World Cup campaign with big win". NRL. 1 November 2024. Retrieved 1 November 2024.
  8. ^ a b "Wheelaroos train with rivals ahead of Test as game grows in NZ". NRL. 4 November 2024. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
  9. ^ "Pacific nations on the rise in IRL World Rankings". NRL. 20 December 2024. Retrieved 19 December 2024.
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