# Australia national wheelchair rugby league team

The Australia national wheelchair rugby league team represent Australia in wheelchair rugby league. The team have played at all four World Cup tournaments and were finalists in the inaugural competition in 2008.

## History

Wheelchair rugby league was introduced to Australia in 2004 when a French team travelled to Sydney, Australia. Four matches were played with each side winning twice as the Australians won the series on points difference. In 2006, wheelchair rugby league was given official recognition by the Rugby League International Federation.
In 2008, Australia was one of four teams that competed in the first Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup. It took place in Sydney, as part of the Festival of World Cups, which was held as a build-up event for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup. Australia defeated France 22–20 in the semi-final before losing 44–12 to England in the final. At the 2013 World Cup, Australia won their opening match 148–0 against Scotland. They lost to England in the semi-finals and finished fourth in the tournament after a narrow 16–14 defeat to Wales in the third-place play-off match.
The 2017 World Cup was intended to be part of the Festival of World Cups which was hosted by Australia in Sydney, but in late 2016 the wheelchair tournament was moved to France. To enable the Australian team to take part they received A$50,000 from the NRL towards their transport costs. Australia reached the semi-finals but were again defeated by England. Australia finished their campaign with a 58–45 win over Italy in the third-place play-off. In 2019, Australia hosted an England tour in which the two teams played a two-match Ashes Test series. A Wheelaroo Tour to England in October 2020 was planned but did not take place. At the 2021 World Cup, Australia reached the semi-finals where they lost 84–40 to France. In August 2023, it was announced that Australia were to play the United States in a three-match series in Las Vegas in 2024, however, the series was cancelled in November 2023. A proposed tour to Australia by France was also cancelled. In November 2024, Australia played a two-match series against New Zealand in Auckland. Australia achieved a 2–0 series win over the Wheel Kiwis who were making their international début.

## Competitive record

World Cup Record :
| Year | Finish |
| 2008 | Runners-up |
| 2013 | 4th place |
| 2017 | 3rd place |
| 2021 | Semi-finalist |

### Results

| Date | Opponent | Score | Competition | Venue | Attendance |
| 7 November 2008 | England | 26–34 | 2008 World Cup Group stage | Sydney Academy of Sport, Narrabeen | |
| 10 November 2008 | France | 14–44 | 2008 World Cup Group stage | Betts Stadium, Sydney | |
| 12 November 2008 | Barbarians | 88–0 | 2008 World Cup Group stage | Sydney Academy of Sport, Narrabeen | |
| 14 November 2008 | France | 22–20 | 2008 World Cup Semi-final | Whitlam Centre, Sydney | |
| 17 November 2008 | England | 12–44 | 2008 World Cup Final | Betts Stadium, Sydney | |
| 29 June 2013 | France | 12–102 | 2013 World Cup warm-up match | Centre Sportif du Mont-Valérien, Nanterre | |
| 3 July 2013 | Scotland | 148–0 | 2013 World Cup Group stage | Medway Park, Gillingham | |
| 6 July 2013 | Wales | 16–25 | 2013 World Cup Group stage | Medway Park, Gillingham | |
| 9 July 2013 | France | 6–72 | 2013 World Cup Group stage | Medway Park, Gillingham | |
| 11 July 2013 | England | 10–81 | 2013 World Cup Semi-final | Medway Park, Gillingham | |
| 13 July 2013 | Wales | 14–16 | 2013 World Cup 3rd/4th play-off | Medway Park, Gillingham | |
| 18 July 2017 | France | 16–70 | 2017 World Cup warm-up match | Gymnase L'Olympie, Limoux | |
| 20 July 2017 | Wales | 72–24 | 2017 World Cup Group stage | Halle aux Sport, Carcassonne | |
| 22 July 2017 | France | 22–102 | 2017 World Cup Group stage | Complexe La Rijole, Pamiers | |
| 24 July 2017 | England | 26–80 | 2017 World Cup Group stage | Gymnase du Lac, Saint-Jory | |
| 25 July 2017 | Spain | 49–40 | 2017 World Cup Group play-offs | Gymnase du Cosec, Albi | |
| 26 July 2017 | England | 24–76 | 2017 World Cup Semi-final | Gymnase Compans Cafferlli, Toulouse | |
| 27 July 2017 | Italy | 58–45 | 2017 World Cup 3rd/4th play-off | Gymnase du Cosec, St-Orens | |
| 21 October 2019 | England | 28–84 | Ashes Test series | Whitlam Leisure Centre, Sydney | |
| 23 October 2019 | England | 50–58 | Ashes Test series | University of Wollongong, Wollongong | |
| 26 October 2022 | British Army | ?–? | 2021 World Cup warm-up matches | Medway Park, Gillingham | |
| 29 October 2022 | Wales | 86–38 | 2021 World Cup warm-up matches | Cardiff Met University Cyncoed Campus, Cardiff | |
| 31 October 2022 | Scotland | 129–1 | 2021 World Cup warm-up matches | Medway Park, Gillingham | |
| 3 November 2022 | England | 8–38 | 2021 World Cup Group Stage | Copper Box, London | 3,033 |
| 6 November 2022 | Ireland | 76–18 | 2021 World Cup Group Stage | Copper Box, London | 3,268 |
| 9 November 2022 | Spain | 52–32 | 2021 World Cup Group Stage | Copper Box, London | 3,847 |
| 13 November 2022 | France | 40–84 | 2021 World Cup Semi-final | English Institute of Sport, Sheffield | 1,318 |
| 1 November 2024 | New Zealand | 98–4 | Two match series friendly | Eventfinda Stadium, Auckland | |
| 4 November 2024 | New Zealand | 110–8 | Two match series friendly | Eventfinda Stadium, Auckland | |

## Records and statistics

IRL Wheelchair World Rankingsvte :
| Official rankings as of June 2024 ||||
| Rank | Change | Team | Pts % |
| 1 | | England | 100 |
| 2 | | France | 89 |
| 3 | | Australia | 61 |
| 4 | 1 | Ireland | 49 |
| 5 | 1 | Wales | 47 |
| 6 | | Scotland | 38 |
| 7 | 1 | United States | 27 |
| 8 | 1 | Spain | 23 |
| 9 | | Italy | 0 |
| Complete rankings at INTRL.SPORT ||||
* Biggest win: 148–0 v. Scotland (3 July 2013)
* Biggest defeat: 12–102 v. France (29 June 2013)