Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup

Last updated

Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup
Upcoming tournament
Rugby football current event.svg 2026 Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup
Sport Rugby league
Instituted 2008
RegionInternational (IRL)
HoldersEngland (2nd Title) (2021)
Most titlesEngland, France (2 titles)
Website rlwc2021.com
Related competition

The Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup is an international wheelchair rugby league tournament contested by the top national teams. The tournament was first held in Australia as part of the 2008 Festival of World Cups and was upgraded to a centrepiece event in 2021.

Contents

History

The inaugural tournament took place as part of the 2008 Festival of World Cups and was held in Sydney, Australia. The four teams participating were Australia, England, France and a Barbarians V Pacific Islands team. [1] [2] The fourth team were a replacement for New Zealand who withdrew before the start of the competition. [3] England were the first winners, defeating hosts Australia 44–12 in the final. [2]

In 2013 the tournament was held in Gillingham, England. The six teams that took part were Australia, England, France, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. [4] France won the competition, defeating England 42–40 in the final. [5] [6] [Note 1] Wales won 16–12 against Australia in the third-place play-off [9] and Ireland defeated Scotland 36–14 to finish fifth. [4]

France hosted the 2017 tournament and won 38–34 in the final against England to retain the title. [10] Seven teams took part in the tournament with the semi-finalists from 2013 placed in Group A and Italy, Spain and Scotland in Group B. [11] Australia, who had intended to host the tournament, [12] finished third after defeating newcomers Italy 58–45. [13] Spain, who were also making their first appearance at the world cup, lost 45–66 to Wales in the fifth-place play-off match. [14]

The 2021 tournament (played in 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic) saw the United States compete at the world cup for the first time. [15] Norway, who were also due to make their debut, withdrew from the competition in February 2022. [16] It was the first time that the wheelchair tournament was played simultaneously with the men's and women's competitions. [17] The hosts England defeated France 28–24 in the final in front of a wheelchair rugby league world record crowd of 4,526 at Manchester Central. [18]

Format

The tournament has been played using different formats depending on the number of teams participating. In 2013 the six teams were divided into two groups. Each team played the two teams in their group and one team from the other group. This determined the qualifiers for the semi-finals which were followed by the play-off matches and final. [19] In 2017 the seven teams were also divided into two groups, but this time Group A contained the four top ranked teams and Group B was made up of the lower ranked teams. The top two from Group A qualified for the semi-finals and were joined by the winners of play-offs between the top two Group B teams and the remaining Group A sides. [11] The 2021 tournament had two groups of four teams with the top two from each progressing to the semi-finals. [15] [20]

Trophy

Nathan Collins with the trophy during celebrations at Old Trafford in 2022 England wheelchair rugby league team celebrating at Old Trafford (Nathan Collins).jpg
Nathan Collins with the trophy during celebrations at Old Trafford in 2022

In November 2019 a new trophy for the wheelchair tournament was unveiled. It shares a similar overall appearance to the men's and women's trophies and features imagery of wheelchair athletes in action. [17]

Results

Tournaments

Ed.YearHostFinalNum.
teams
Gold medal icon.svg ChampionScoreSilver medal icon.svg Runner-up
1 2008 Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Flag of England.svg England 44–12 [2]
Betts Stadium, Sydney [2] 		Flag of Australia (converted).svg Australia 4
2 2013 Flag of England.svg  England Flag of France.svg France 42–40 [6]
Medway Park, Gillingham [21] 		Flag of England.svg England 6
3 2017 Flag of France.svg  France Flag of France.svg France 38–34 [13]
Parc des Expositions, Perpignan [8] 		Flag of England.svg England 7
4 2021 Flag of England.svg  England Flag of England.svg England 28–24 [22]
Manchester Central, Manchester [23] 		Flag of France.svg France 8

Participating teams

Team 2008
Flag of Australia (converted).svg 		2013
Flag of England.svg 		2017
Flag of France.svg 		2021
Flag of England.svg
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Australia2nd4th3rdSF
Barbarians V4th–––
Flag of England.svg  England 1st2nd2nd1st
Flag of France.svg  France 3rd1st1st2nd
Four Provinces Flag.svg  Ireland –5th–G
Flag of Italy.svg Italy––4th–
Flag of New Zealand.svg New Zealandw–––
Flag of Norway.svg Norway–––w
Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland –6th7thG
Flag of Spain.svg Spain––6thG
Flag of the United States.svg  United States –––G
Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales –3rd5thSF
Refs [1] [3] [24] [4] [9] [10] [25] [16] [26] [27]
Legend
  • 1st = Champions
  • 2nd = Runners-up
  • 3rd or SF = Third place or semi-finalist
  • 4th = Fourth place
  • G = Group stage
  • P = nation participating in Final Tournament not yet played
  • w = nation withdrew from (final) Tournament
  • – = nation did not enter competition.
  •    = Hosts

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Some sources record the score as 44–40 to France [7] [8]

Related Research Articles

Wheelchair rugby league is a wheelchair-based version of rugby league football, one of two recognised disability versions of the sport. It was developed by French rugby league player, coach, and official, Wally Salvan in 2004. Unlike other wheelchair sports, people without disabilities are allowed to compete in top-level competition. The sport is also unique in the fact that men and women of any age can play against each other in top-level competition.

The Women's Rugby League World Cup is an international rugby league tournament, contested by the women's national team of the International Rugby League (IRL). The competition has been held since 2000 and was incorporated into the Festival of World Cups in 2008 until 2017 when it became a centrepiece event along with the men's competition. Under the current format, eight teams are separated into two groups of four with the top two in each group qualifying for the semi-finals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rugby League World Cup</span> International rugby league football tournament

The Rugby League World Cup is an international rugby league tournament contested by the top national men's representative teams. The tournament is administered by the International Rugby League and was first held in France in 1954, which was the first World Cup held for any form of rugby football.

The England women's national Rugby League team represents England in Women's Rugby League. They are administered by the Rugby Football League. As Great Britain, they toured Australia in 1996, New Zealand in 1998, and reached the first-ever Women's Rugby League World Cup final in 2000, where they lost 26–4 to New Zealand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021 Men's Rugby League World Cup</span>

The 2021 Men's Rugby League World Cup was the 16th Rugby League World Cup, and one of three major tournaments of the 2021 Rugby League World Cup. The tournament was held in England from 15 October 2022 to 19 November 2022. It was originally due to be held between 23 October 2021 and 27 November 2021, but the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent withdrawals of Australia and New Zealand caused the tournament to be postponed. 16 teams competed in the tournament, an increase of two from the previous two tournaments and the first to feature 16 teams since the 2000 Rugby League World Cup.

The 2017 Festival of World Cups was a series of rugby league world cups that were held in Sydney, Australia during July 2017. As part of the festival, there was University World Cup and a Defence Force World Cup. It was originally intended that the event would also include a Police World Cup and the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup. In May 2016, the World Cup organising committee raised concerns over financial support for the festival and in November 2016, it was announced that the 2017 Wheelchair World Cup would be held in France.

The Australia physical disability national rugby league team represent Australia in international physical disability rugby league competitions throughout Asia-Pacific and the World. At the 2018 Rugby League Commonwealth Championship the team won the Physical Disability tournament based on their group results. They drew in the final against New Zealand. In September 2018 a squad was named to take part in a best of three series against New Zealand as part of the 2018 Emerging Nations World Championship in Sydney.

The New Zealand physical disability national rugby league team represent New Zealand in international physical disability rugby league competitions throughout Asia-Pacific and the World. At the 2018 Rugby League Commonwealth Championship the team finished second in the Physical Disability tournament after a draw in the final against Australia. In August 2018 a squad was named to take part in a best of three series against Australia as part of the 2018 Emerging Nations World Championship in Sydney.

The 2021 Women's Rugby League World Cup was the sixth staging of the Women's Rugby League World Cup, and was one of three major tournaments part of the 2021 Rugby League World Cup. The tournament was held in England from 1 November to 19 November 2022. Originally planned for 2021, it was delayed a year along with the men's and wheelchair tournaments due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The tournament featured eight teams, an increase of two from the previous tournament.

The 2021 Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup was the fourth staging of the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup, and was one of three major tournaments part of the 2021 Rugby League World Cup. The tournament was held in England from 3 November to 18 November 2022. It was originally planned to be held in November 2021 but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic in England. It was the first occasion on which the wheelchair rugby league competition took place concurrently with the men's and women's tournaments. The competition was also the first time that participants in the wheelchair tournament received the same participation fees as players in the other competitions and the first time that prize money was awarded.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of the Rugby League World Cup</span>

The Rugby League World Cup is an international rugby league tournament currently played every four years. The first tournament was held in 1954, hosted by France who had pushed for such a tournament to be approved. Since the first edition, 14 others have been held at sporadic intervals.

The England national wheelchair rugby league team represents England in wheelchair rugby league. The team have played in all four World Cup tournaments, winning both the inaugural competition in 2008 and the 2021 edition on home soil, and being runners up in both 2013 and 2017. They also won the 2015 European Wheelchair Rugby League Championship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021 Rugby League World Cup</span> International rugby league tournaments

The 2021 Rugby League World Cup (RLWC2021) was a collection of world cups in the sport of rugby league, held in England from 15 October to 19 November 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021 Men's Rugby League World Cup final</span>

The 2021 Rugby League World Cup final was the rugby league match to determine the winner of the 2021 Rugby League World Cup, played between Australia and Samoa on 19 November 2022 at Old Trafford in Manchester, England.

The final of the 2021 Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup was one of three finals of the integrated 2021 Rugby League World Cup. It was played at Manchester Central Convention Complex in Manchester on 18 November 2022, the day before the men's and women's finals.

The Scotland national wheelchair rugby league team represents Scotland in wheelchair rugby league. They have competed at the World Cup, the European Championships and several tournaments within the British Isles, such as the Celtic Cup and Four Nations competitions.

The Wales national wheelchair rugby league team represents Wales in wheelchair rugby league. They have competed at the World Cup, the European Championships and several tournaments within the British Isles, such as the Celtic Cup and Four Nations competitions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ireland national wheelchair rugby league team</span>

The Ireland national wheelchair rugby league team represents Ireland in wheelchair rugby league. They have competed at the World Cup, the European Championships, the Celtic Cup and Four Nations competitions.

The United States national wheelchair rugby league team represents the United States in wheelchair rugby league. The team, nicknamed the Hawks, is controlled by USA Rugby League, the governing body for rugby league in the United States. Formed in 2022, the team made its debut at the 2021 Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup finishing third in their group with one victory and two defeats.

The 2017 Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup was the third staging of the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup. The tournament was held from 20 July to 28 July 2017 and was originally planned to be held in Sydney, Australia, as part of the 2017 Festival of World Cups but was relocated to France. The tournament was won by France who defeated England 38–34 in the final in Perpignan to retain the title.

References

  1. 1 2 "England Wheelchair Rugby League win the World Cup". Sport Focus. 17 November 2008. Archived from the original on 17 October 2022. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Story of the 2008 World Cup". RLWC2001. 13 October 2022. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
  3. 1 2 "Wheelchair Rugby League tournament". 9 November 2008. Archived from the original on 12 November 2008.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  4. 1 2 3 "wheelchair". Festival of World Cups 2013. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  5. ↑ "Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup final: England 40-42 France". BBC Sport. 14 July 2014. Retrieved 19 October 2022.
  6. 1 2 "Match Report: Wheelchair World Cup Final". European Rugby League. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
  7. ↑ "Story of the 2013 World Cup". RLWC2001. 11 October 2022. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
  8. 1 2 "Wheelchair World Cup". rugbyleague.wales. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
  9. 1 2 "Match Report: 2013 Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup Third-Place Play-Off". rugbyleague.wales. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
  10. 1 2 "Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup: England lose to France in final". BBC Sport. 28 July 2017. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
  11. 1 2 "Match Report (France v Wales 24 July 2017)". rugbyleague.wales. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
  12. ↑ "2017 WHEELCHAIR RUGBY LEAGUE WORLD CUP". rugbyleague.wales. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
  13. 1 2 "Story of the 2017 World Cup". RLWC2001. 10 October 2022. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
  14. ↑ "Match Report: 2017 Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup Fifth-Place Play-Off". rugbyleague.wales. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
  15. 1 2 "Wheelchair tournament". RLWC2021. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
  16. 1 2 "Ireland to replace Norway in Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup". RLWC2021. 28 February 2022. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
  17. 1 2 "New Rugby League Wheelchair World Cup Trophy Revealed". RLWC2021. 25 November 2019. Retrieved 19 October 2022.
  18. ↑ "Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup final: Tom Halliwell late try secures trophy for England". BBC Sport. 18 November 2022. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
  19. ↑ "2013 WHEELCHAIR RUGBY LEAGUE WORLD CUP". wrl.wales. Retrieved 18 October 2022.
  20. ↑ "Rugby League World Cup 2021: Four reasons to follow the Wheelchair Rugby League tournament". BBC Bitesize. Retrieved 18 October 2022.
  21. ↑ "Medway urged to roar England on to World Cup wheelchair rugby glory". Kent Online. 30 April 2013. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
  22. ↑ "England beat France to win Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup - reaction". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
  23. ↑ "Pressure on France in final - England's Halliwell". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
  24. ↑ "Results: 2008". RLEF. Archived from the original on 24 July 2009.
  25. ↑ "Classement Final Coupe du Monde – Les 10 meilleurs joueurs" [World Cup Final Standings – Top 10 Players]. FFRXIII (in French). 29 July 2017. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
  26. ↑ "France Wheelchair 24 – 28 England Wheelchair". RLWC2021. Retrieved 1 December 2022.
  27. ↑ "Standings". RLWC2021. Archived from the original on 22 March 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.