Wheel Kiwis captain Jayson Hooker has expressed his team’s commitment to growth and resilience following their historic trans-Tasman wheelchair rugby league Test in Auckland, where Australia triumphed 98-4. This milestone game, which saw the first haka performed in wheelchair rugby league, marked New Zealand’s international debut in the sport, with Jamie Tapp scoring the Wheel Kiwis’ inaugural try.
The Australian Wheelaroos, led by captain Brad Grove, showed their dominance, with Bayley McKenna achieving a record-breaking 44 points through five tries and 12 goals. Although Australia led 42-0 at halftime, the Wheel Kiwis’ spirited performance on such short notice was a source of pride for Hooker, who acknowledged his team’s limited training time. “We’ve only had five hours together, so it was all heart from us today,” he said. “It was great to put points on the board.”
Looking ahead to the second Test at Eventfinda Stadium on Monday, Hooker is optimistic about New Zealand’s potential for improvement. He also hopes that this Test series will pave the way for more frequent matches with Australia and inspire other Pacific nations to join the competition.
Australia’s win builds on their World Cup semi-final success in 2022, with Grove determined to capture the title on home soil in 2026. “This is a great start to our World Cup campaign,” he said. “We’ve not played a home World Cup, so this one means a lot to us.”
Despite Australia’s formidable display, Grove was encouraged by New Zealand’s entry into the sport, seeing it as a promising step for wheelchair rugby league in the Pacific region. “The Kiwi team is fantastic; there’s a bright future for them,” Grove said. “We’re keen to see the Pacific nations – like Papua New Guinea and Fiji – join in soon.”
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