Author : Margie McDonald NSWRL media

NSW fall short in Wheelchair State of Origin

NSW Wheelchair Rugby League 2022 State of Origin team (Photo : Steve Montgomery)

Queensland proved too strong for NSW with a dominating 50-30 win in the Wheelchair State of Origin match in Sydney today, recording their first win of the interstate series.

For eight years the Blues overwhelmed the Maroons playing for a Challenge Cup.

But in 2019 the State of Origin concept was born. NSW won it 52-4 before the Covid pandemic shut down the 2020 and 2021 scheduled games.

Today’s match was the postponed 2021 game from last June, and with Queensland’s win it is now 1-1 on the Origin stage.

“Our guys are feeling it. Congratulations to Queensland because they outplayed us (on Saturday).

It’s back to the drawing board,” said NSW coach Edie George.

Maroons our score blues

Queensland 2022 Champions Wheelchair Rugby League State of Origin team (Photo : Steve Montgomery)

And on that board will be an emphasis on defence, since the Maroons scored nine tries to the Blues five at the Whitlam Leisure Centre in Liverpool.

“We put more emphasis on attack than defensively and that showed. We didn’t read their plays well enough,” George said.

“We needed to hold them out and we didn’t.

They were camped in our red zone on the back of our own penalties and silly mistakes.”

NSW co-captain Craig Cannane said the Queenslanders were a more cohesive and aggressive unit.

“That two-year gap hurt us. Queensland haven’t been totally locked down so they’ve been able to get together and keep on working and keep their competitions going,” Cannane said.

“Across the field they were conditioned better than us. We’ve got to put in more hard work and get our fitness back to what it was before.

“They were fitter and stronger across the whole field. That’s what we’ve got to do,” he said.

“That result will burn a bit for the next six months but we’ve got the NSW Cup to play, and City-Country and then back into Blues camps.

Blues not done yet

I take my hat off to Queensland but we’re not done yet.”

Queensland took a 28-18 lead into halftime off the back of five tries to NSW’s three.

It was tit-for-tat points from both sides early for scores to be locked up three times.

But late in the half Queensland scored back-to-back tries through Zac Schumacher and Adam Tannock to surge to the lead.

They compounded the Blues misery not long after the break, with two quick tries to Peter Arbuckle to take the score out to 38-18.

NSW pegged one back through Rick Engles but the Maroons scored two more four-pointers to reach their half-century 50-24 and take a stranglehold on the match.

A length of the field try to Engles for his double gave NSW a little hope but it was all too late.

Two players made their debuts for the Blues – Edie Morgan (Dragons) and Tim Robinson (Raiders).

Another two – Australian Wheelaroos Corey Cannane (Dragons) and Brad Grove (Raiders) – were George’s pick from his 10-man squad.

Cannane, who is Craig’s son, scored two tries, while Grove was a constant thorn in Queensland’s side.

QLD played out of their skin

“They played out of their skins today. Corey is always so strong up the middle and Brad has such speed down the sidelines,” George said.

“We’ve got another Origin in less than six months so we’ll be more prepared for that one.”

The two players’ awards today both went to Queensland: Adam Tannock was given the ‘Spirit of the Game’ trophy, while goal-kicker with 6-7 for the match, Bayley McKenna was named ‘Man of the Match’.

Watching proceedings was Australian coach Brett Clark, who will name a 13-man Wheelaroos squad in a fortnight so training camps can be organised ahead of November’s World Cup in the UK.

The 2022 Wheelchair State of Origin will be held in June with Clark able to add or subtract from his 13 based on form, or injuries.

NSW Wheelchair State of Origin Team

1. Brad Grove
2. Brett Henamn
3. Corey Cannane
4. Craig Cannane
5. Diab Karim
6. Eddie Morgan
7. Jason Attard
8. Liam Luff
9. Rick Engles
10. Tim Robinson

Coach : Edie George

Manager : Cherrie Moulang

Trainer : Brad Turnbell

Queensland Wheelchair State of Origin Team

1. Pete Arbuckle
2. Chris Robinson
3. Shaun Harre
4. James Hill
5. Matt Lodewikus
6. Giles Harris
7. Bayley McKenna
8. Zac Shumacher
9. Adam Tannock

Coach : Jack Brown

Ass Coach : JJ Atuahiva

Manager : Jade Brown

Trainers Peter Lee, Joseph Faualo

Action Photo Gallery coming soon

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Author : NSWRL

Rugby League’s greatest rivalry opens another brutal chapter

When people watch Wheelchair Rugby League for the first time, Australian and NSW rep player Brad Grove knows what their reaction will be.

“The first comment we get most often is ‘Why haven’t I seen this before?’,” Grove said.

“Their reaction shows that there’s an appetite for our game out there.”

Those not familiar with the game can watch the live stream on NSWRL TV of the State of Origin between NSW and Queensland from the Whitlam Centre in Liverpool at 2.15pm tomorrow (29 January).

The game has been postponed the past two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with NSW winning the 2019 interstate clash 52-4.

Unfortunately, due to the current Omicron surge, Saturday’s match is not open to spectators.

But Grove, a veteran of the NSW Blues side as well as a Wheelaroo (an Australian player at the 2013 and 2017 Wheelchair World Cups), encouraged fans to tune into NSWRL TV to have their eyes opened.

“Straight off the bat it’s different,” he said.

“Everyone is used to seeing the men’s and women’s games but when people see our game, they don’t expect us to be able to do the things we can do in a wheelchair.

Saturday’s match is not open to spectators

“After missing the last two years we’re obviously pretty disappointed (there’s no fans) but at least it’s getting streamed. For us the main thing is we get to play.

“All the boys are ready. We’ve got a few new players and lot of experienced guys there so we’re gelling really well – we’re ready to go.”

NSW co-captain Craig Cannane said in 2019 the game not only attracted a large crowd to Sydney Olympic Park but was live streamed as well.

“We had a big audience on live stream, which proves people want to watch us,” he said.

Cannane said the Queensland team had a number of Australian players in their ranks and were coached by England international, Jack Brown.

“Jack is one of the best players in the world and will be back playing for England at this year’s World Cup,” he said.

“He won the Golden Boot award in 2019 so he has experience and familiarity with the game.”

Cannane is also a dual World Cup representative.

the NSW Wheelchair Rugby League team presented with the NSW Blues playing Jerseys before the 2019 State of Origin (Photo : Steve Montgomery)

National selectors will use Saturday’s Origin game as they formulate the Wheelaroos squad for the 2022 World Cup.

The tournament is being played simultaneously with the men’s and women’s tournaments for the first time.

Grove is expecting a more highly competitive game than in 2019.

“The Queenslanders haven’t had the lockdowns we’ve had in Sydney so they’ve had more time to prepare as a group,” he said.

Commentary for the Origin game will be led by Jason Costigan, who has called more than 200 NRL games, mostly on Fox League in Australia and New Zealand’s Sky Television, including the 2002 NRL Grand Final.

Costigan will be joined in commentary by David Nugent, who will be team manager for the Wheelaroos at the World Cup and has an extensive background in Wheelchair Rugby League.

There are five players on court at a time, with the rules a close mirror of the 13-a-side running game but obviously without tackles, scrums, or traditional play-the-balls.

Players must pass backwards, possession changes after six tackles, the ball must be grounded on the try line or in-goal, and the points-scoring system is the same.

Players are tackled similar to OzTag – by defenders removing an attacking players’ velcro tag worn on the shoulders. The “field” is half the size of the running game – 50m x 25m – or across three indoor basketball courts.

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The post 2022 Wheelchair Rugby League State of Origin appeared first on OurFootyTeam.

Author : Colleen Edwards QRL content producer 

Queensland ready to roll for State of Origin match up

This year is shaping up as a huge one for the nation’s best wheelchair rugby league players, with next week’s NRL Wheelchair State of Origin kicking off a busy representative calendar in 2022.

There has been a steady growth in support and exposure for the game during recent seasons and players will be pushing their case for selection in the Australian team.

NSW v QLD face off in the annual interstate clash at the Whitlam Leisure Centre in Liverpool, Sydney, on Saturday, January 29.

The Australian Wheelaroos team will compete in the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup in England later this year, with the tournament to be played simultaneously with the men’s and women’s tournaments for the first time.

Queensland coach Jack Brown said with improved preparations across the board in the lead-up to this game.

He was confident in a strong showing by his side for the match that was postponed last year due to COVID-19 complications.

“New South Wales have been a tough unit for a very long time now by developing with their long-running domestic leagues,” Brown said.

“It has given them the advantage against Queensland in the past. On the other side, Queensland previously have had literally no preparation leading up to their Origin games.

“This year, they have had full Queensland trials and camps to prepare themselves and have had the time to plan and learn how each individual in their team works.

“It’s safe to say, this is the greatest chance Queensland have had so far, and we’re only getting better.

“The players are some of the most professional individuals I have had the pleasure to work with.

“I’m sure they’re all excited for the chance to represent their country and with the form they are showing in our Queensland sessions now, Brett (Clark – Australia head coach) will be lucky to have any of them in his squad.”

Queensland Wheelchair Rugby League TeamPhoto from the 2019 NRL Wheelchair State of Origin game. Steve Montgomery)

The match with kick off at 3pm AEDT and New South Wales Rugby League plan to livestream the game.

The State of Origin match comes as the sport recently announced their Come, Try and Play project received a major funding boost after being awarded a Sport Australia participation grant.

The grant will help provide more opportunities for people to play wheelchair rugby league.

In Queensland, big strides have already been made in recent years, with Brown happy to see a growth in grassroots competitions which also lead to the inaugural state championships being staged last year.

“I can’t speak for previous seasons as I only arrived in Queensland before the 2021 season.

Having said that, I was involved in the Ashes series between England and Australia in 2019 when there were no domestic level competitions in Queensland,” Brown said.

“Then last season, it hit off with the first leagues in North Queensland and South East Queensland, with some amazing skills on show and heaps of opportunities for juniors and their parents to get involved.

“After this State of Origin and then the World Cup this year, our expectations for growth in the sport are sure to be exceeded.”

‘It’s exciting to be a part of it, with the sport growing”It’s exciting to be a part of it, with the sport growing’

‘It’s exciting to be a part of it, with the sport growing’

Find out more about Wheelchair Rugby League via their website.

Queensland Wheelchair Rugby League 2022 squad

Pete Arbuckle
Shaun Harre (c)
Giles Harris
James Hill
Mathew Lodewikus
Bayley McKenna
Mathew Lodewikus
Zac Schumacher
Adam Tannock

Head coach: Jack Brown
Assistant coach: JJ Atuahiva
Team manager: Jade Brown
Trainer: Peter Angelo-asiga Lee
Interim chair of Queensland: David Nugent

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Author : Wheelchair Rugby League

2022 NRL Wheelchair Rugby League State of Origin fixture and teams

Fans won’t have to wait long to catch the skill and action of representative players with the NRL Wheelchair Rugby League State of Origin match to be held Saturday 29th January 2022.

The game will be played at the Whitlam Centre, 90 Memorial Ave, Liverpool, 3 pm kick-off and entry is free.

NSW Rugby League will also live-stream the event.

The representative teams are:

NSW BLUES

Brad Grove
Brett Henman
Cory Cannane (AB)
Craig Cannane
Diab Karim (AB)
Eddie Morgan
Jason Attard (AB)
Liam Luff
Rick Engles
Tim Robinson (AB)

NSW blues 2019 Wheelchair Rugby League State of Origin Champions (Photo : Steve Montgomery)

FOXVILLE QUEENSLANDERS

Pete Arbuckle
Adam Tannock
Zac Schumacher
Dougie Chan
Chris Robson
Matty Lodewikus
James Hill
Shaun Harre
Bayley McKenna
Giles Harris

A Come N Try event will be held as the precursor to the State of Origin game.

The game will be the first representative match for 2022, with many in the team vying for a spot in the Wheelaroos team that will contest the Rugby League World Cup to be played in England during November 2022.

Free registration for the State of Origin: https://events.humanitix.com/wheelchair-rugby-league-state-of-origin-2022

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Push your Limits

Wheelaroos welcome World Cup draw

Wheelaroos welcome World Cup draw r ‘We’re pumped’: Wheelaroos welcome World Cup draw Australian wheelchair…

France roll over England in test

England captain Tom Halliwell praised an impressive performance by France in the first of two Wheelchair Rugby League Internationals in Kent this week – but backed his team to bounce straight back when the teams meet again at the same venue on Saturday.

CRRL announce Wheelchair Rugby League Strategic Plan

Canberra Region Rugby League has developed a 2022-2025 wheelchair rugby league strategic plan to lead the inclusion program in Canberra and surrounding regions, including southern NSW.

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The post Wheelchair Rugby League State of Origin appeared first on OurFootyTeam.

Author : Brad Walter NRL.com Senior Reporter

‘We’re pumped’: Wheelaroos welcome World Cup draw

Australian wheelchair coach Brett Clark has welcomed the release of the draw for next year’s World Cup in England.

The eight-team Wheelchair World Cup will be played alongside the men’s and women’s tournaments, culminating in all three finals being staged in Manchester on November 18 and 19.

The Wheelaroos will be based in London for their pool matches at the Copper Box Arena on:

November 3 v England
November 6 v Norway
November 9 v Spain

The semi-finals will be played at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield on November 13, with the final at the 5,000 seat Manchester Central on November 18 after being shifted from Liverpool.

Cory Cannane and his dad Craig proudly display their Wheelaroos jerseys.

The change to the draw, due to the postponement of the World Cup from this year, means the wheelchair final will be played the night before the men’s and women’s deciders at Old Trafford on November 19.

Clark said the Wheelaroos were excited to be taking part in the World Cup and would now step up preparations for the tournament.

“It goes without saying that the last years have been difficult but with the great news that the Rugby League World Cup has been locked in for November 2022 I am excited that wheelchair rugby league will be showcased alongside the men’s and women’s running game,” Clark said.

“Our Wheelaroos squad is currently in preparation to be part of this milestone event. I am pumped, the team is pumped, we are coming England, bring it on.”

France will go into the tournament as favourites after the 2017 World Cup winners triumphed in their recent two Test series against England in Kent.

However, England captain Tom Halliwell believes the additional 12 months preparation due to the postponement of the World Cup caused by the COVID-19 pandemic will help other nations to close the gap with France.

“It gives us more time to be able to prepare and more time to be able to build this tournament to be the best in the world,” Halliwell said.

“We have a young squad and to get that World Cup lifted we have to become better people and become better players. That 12 months gives us an opportunity to be able to do that.

“To have the final in Manchester brings sort of a family unity to the tournament, which is what rugby league is all about.

“To be here with the men’s and women’s, it’s like a whole England family and ikf all three teams get to the final it will be an amazing experience.”

Tickets can be purchased via www.rlwc2021.com/tickets

England captains John Bateman, Tom Halliwell and Amy Hardcastle with the World Cup trophies. ©RLWC2021

Wheelchair draw

Group A

Nov 3: Spain v Norway at Copper Box Arena, London
Nov 3: England v Australia at Copper Box Arena, London
Nov 6: England v Spain at Copper Box Arena, London
Nov 6: Australia v Norway at Copper Box Arena, London
Nov 9: Australia v Spain at Copper Box Arena, London
Nov 9: England v Norway at Copper Box Arena, London

Group B

Nov 4: France v Wales at English Institute of Sport, Sheffield
Nov 4: Scotland v USA at English Institute of Sport, Sheffield
Nov 7: France v Scotland at English Institute of Sport, Sheffield
Nov 7: Wales v USA at English Institute of Sport, Sheffield
Nov 10: France v USA at English Institute of Sport, Sheffield
Nov 10: Wales v Scotland at English Institute of Sport, Sheffield

Semi Finals

Nov 13: Semi-Final 1 (Winner B v RU A) at English Institute of Sport, Sheffield
Nov 13: Semi-Final 2 (Winner A v RU B) at English Institute of Sport, Sheffield

FINAL

Nov 18: Final at Manchester Central, Manchester

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CRRL Wheelchair RL plan

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Author : NSWRL 

Wheelchair State of Origin has been POSTPONED

Billed as one of the most significant events on the Wheelchair Rugby League calendar, the NSW Blues and Foxville Queenslanders will go head-to-head on 10 July in a highly anticipated clash.

The Wheelchair Rugby League State of Origin match will be held 10 July 2021, Whitlam Centre, 90 Memorial Ave, Liverpool (4pm kick-off, free entry).

The State of Origin match showcases the best representative players as they go head-to-head in this dynamic interstate battle.

A Come N Try event will be held as the precursor to the State of Origin game, in partnership with the West Tigers.

The State of Origin series and the Come N Try event will celebrate the all-inclusive game and allow the community to attend, see how the game is played and give it a go themselves.

“I tell everyone I know to get on board with it. It’s unreal to be a part of, and great to watch!” Wests Tigers captain and Wheelchair Rugby League Ambassador James Tamou said.

NSW Blues – Wheelchair State Of Origin

Brad Grove, Brett Henman, Cory Cannane (AB), Craig Cannane, Diab Karim (AB), Eddie Morgan, Jason Attard (AB), Liam Luff, Rick Engles, Tim Robinson (AB).

Note : (AB) = Able Bodied

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