Wave of Aotearoa's next female stars enters the NRLW

History awaits as the New Zealand Wheel Kiwis squad is named to represent Aotearoa, in what will be their first-ever Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup campaign in Wollongong, Australia.

The milestone competition will be held from 30 October, with the Wheel Kiwis set to face Australia, France, and Scotland in Pool B.  

Preparation for the World Cup has been building since early 2026, with a wider squad following a dedicated training programme and competing in the 2026 LCA NRL Wheelchair Championships and the recent inaugural NZRL Wheelchair Nationals.

The selected Wheel Kiwis 10-man squad combines experience, strength, and emerging talent, with five returning members from the first-ever Test side that faced Australia in 2024.

Among those returning are Nikia Fa’atau, Kauri Murray, and Wheel Kiwi #1 Jayson Hooker, who will captain the team throughout their World Cup campaign.

The squad also features five debutants in Jack Brown, Hayden Delves, Joshua Hirini-Barclay, Pele Sulusi, and Mitch Stone. While yet to earn Test caps, all five have experience in the national programme, representing the New Zealand Resident Wheel Kiwis sides that competed in the 2025 and 2026 LCA NRL Wheelchair Championships.

Head Coach Edie George will also return to lead the team, having been instrumental in the Wheel Kiwis programme since their maiden 2024 campaign. George has continued to develop the side through the 2025 and 2026 LCA NRL Wheelchair Championships and the NZRL Wheelchair Nationals.

The team will continue their preparations in the coming weeks, with the squad set to come together in Auckland for a connection and training camp before travelling to Australia for the World Cup.

The competition will mark another significant milestone in the growth of wheelchair rugby league in Aotearoa, as the Wheel Kiwis take their place on the international stage at their first World Cup campaign.

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New Zealand Wheel Kiwis squad

1. Jack Brown*

2. Ryan Charles | Wheel Kiwi #6

3. Hayden Delves*

4. Nikia Fa’atau | Wheel Kiwi #2

5. Joshua Hirini-Barclay*

6. Jayson Hooker (Captain) | Wheel Kiwi #1

7. Kauri Murray (Vice-Captain) | Wheel Kiwi #4

8. Pele Sulusi*

9. Mitch Stone*

10. Jamie Tapp | Wheel Kiwi #7

*Denotes debutant

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New Zealand Wheel Kiwis Staff

Head Coach: Edie George

Assistant Coach: Robert Graham (Wheel Kiwi #3)

Head Trainer: Lincoln Jefferson

Team Manager: Korral Heremaia

Physio: Megan Blair

Wellbeing Manager: Kylie Leuluai

Media Manager: Jeremy Siulepa

Analyst: Joseph Pouniu

• Geely becomes NZRL’s first ever official vehicle partner in a three-year deal, supporting New Zealand Rugby League, the Kiwis and, from 2027, the Kiwi Ferns

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• A twelve-car fleet of Geely Starray EM-i’s will hit the road across NZRL head office and regional associations, backing the people growing the game from grassroots to senior level

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• Community connection sits at the centre of the partnership, helping NZRL reach and support rugby league communities across the country.

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Geely, part of NordEast Vehicle Distributors Ltd, has been named the first ever official vehicle partner of New Zealand Rugby League and the Kiwis in a three-year partnership, with the Kiwi Ferns to be included from 2027. The partnership brings together two organisations focused on innovation, connection and growing rugby league across Aotearoa.

Coming off the back of a record sale’s month in September for Geely, the brands partnership will see twelve new Geely’s on the road to help grow the game throughout New Zealand communities. The fleet will serve NZRL's head office and regional associations, from the CEO through to the regional representatives driving growth in the amateur game, supporting everyone from kids picking up a ball for the first time, through to senior club teams.

The fleet is made up of the Geely Starray EM-i, with Geely's Electric Hybrid technology helping NZRL's associations extend their reach into communities throughout New Zealand. The cars will be wrapped in a new design created to align with the team uniform, turning every vehicle into a moving flag for NZRL wherever it travels.

Geely's commitment goes all the way to the top of the game. The brand will feature on the Kiwis’ jersey when they compete on the world stage at the 2026 Rugby League World Cup, putting Geely in front of the massive, passionate audience that follows one of the country's biggest sports, and underscoring its belief in New Zealand's national sides.

NZRL CEO Andrea Nelson shared, "We're very excited to welcome Geely to the NZRL whānau and look forward to working together, with a shared focus on innovation and performance. We're proud to partner with a company that understands the importance of helping people go further, as we continue to grow our game across Aotearoa."

Geely combines world-class safety through its associated factory brands – such as Volvo – and global automotive expertise and advanced in-car technology to deliver moments of Everyday Magic for New Zealand drivers.

NordEast Group General Manager, Dane Fisher says, "The values that sit behind rugby league in New Zealand, community, resilience and opportunity, closely mirror what we're building with Geely. We're proud to stand alongside NZRL and support the people growing the game across the country. Whether it’s helping regional associations get further into their communities or backing the Kiwis on the world stage, this partnership is about creating positive impact and helping people go further.”

It is an exciting time for New Zealand Rugby League, with momentum building across the game and the Kiwis preparing to represent Aotearoa on the world stage. Geely's support strengthens that momentum, and with three years ahead, both organisations are looking forward to growing the partnership as it evolves, giving NZRL a partner aligned with its ambition to grow the sport, deepen community connection and improve access to the game nationwide.

16s Boys

Grand Final | Counties Manukau 32 vs South Island 18

Counties opened the scoring with two early tries inside the first 10 minutes, but the South Islanders were undeterred, hitting back with two tries of their own. Counties scored the final try of the half to take a 16-8 lead over the Scorpions into the break.

They carried their scoring momentum into the second half, crossing for two more tries to extend their advantage. Although the Scorpions remained in the fight and responded with two tries, Counties lead was too great. They ran out 32-18 winners to claim the title, with back-rower Karcin Puna scoring a double and Kairoa Hynes adding eight points from the kicking tee.

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New Zealand Residents 16s Boys team

Rome Faanana | Akarana

Te Kiriwera Hurae | Bay of Plenty

Devan Hansen | Bay of Plenty

Leonjay Salevao | Canterbury

Michael Fidow | Canterbury

Pharron Maletino | Counties Manukau

Tyler-James Finlay | Counties Manukau

Desmond Kingi | Counties Manukau

Reuben Ned Matautia | Counties Manukau

Siope To'ofohe | Counties Manukau

Dayton Edwards | Counties Manukau

Cordē King | Hawke's Bay

Arama McGlade | Hawke's Bay

Matai Jones | Northland

Boston Davis | South Island

Lian Knoetze | South Island

Jackson Robinson | South Island

Khan Te Paea | Taranaki

Finals MVP

Karcin Puna | Counties Manukau

Emerging Player

Jak Lawn | Taranaki

MVP of the Tournament

Jackson Robinson | South Island Scorpions

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16s Girls

Grand Final | Counties Manukau 24 vs Auckland 10

The 16s Girls Grand Final was an intense battle from the outset, with both sides trading tries in the opening ten minutes before Counties edged ahead. Centre Madison Kaumavae crossed twice to help give her side a 14-4 lead at the break.

Auckland came out firing in the second half, capitalising on a Counties error to score and narrow the margin to just 14-10. With the score unchanged and only seven minutes remaining on the clock, an incident saw two Vulcans players and one Counties player shown cards and sent from the field for the remainder of the match. With the extra player advantage, Counties scored twice in quick succession to seal the 16s Girls title for a fifth consecutive year.

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New Zealand Residents 16s Girls team

Tania Savali | Akarana

Lynneera Tutaia | Akarana

Sasha Toailoa | Akarana

Tupou Grace Havea Pahulu | Auckland

Braxton Brown | Counties Manukau

Kimora-Lee Lisone | Counties Manukau

Presley McGarvey | Counties Manukau

Tamara Lam | Counties Manukau

Jovana Paselio | Counties Manukau

Caitlyn Pohahau | Counties Manukau

Tylah Fa'alili | Counties Manukau

Pewhairangi Ashby | Manawatū

Keighley-Rein Araia | Manawatū

Nahla Mackie | Northland

Kaea Jay Abraham | Northland

Hazel Lang | Waikato

Fabianni Napara | Waikato

Tahlia Timoteo | Wellington

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Finals MVP

Presley McGarvey | Counties Manukau

Emerging Player

Ocean Burns | Akarana

MVP of the Tournament

Keighley-Rein Araia | Manawatū

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18s Boys

Grand Final | Akarana 18 vs Counties Manukau 6

The 18s Boys Grand Final was an intense 50-minute battle, with both teams engaging in a physical contest and leaving everything on the field. Counties opened the scoring through second-rower Lyonidas Samuel, but Akarana responded with two tries before halftime, both through winger Israel Halalupe, to take a narrow 12-6 lead into the break.

Akarana added another try in the second stanza to extend their advantage, while tough defence kept Counties from crossing the line despite several close attempts. Akarana held on to secure an 18-6 victory and claim the 2026 title.

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New Zealand Clubs 18s Boys team

Zak Schramm | Akarana

Kahmarley Andrews | Akarana

Solomon Westerlund | Akarana

Bailey Butler-Maruariki | Akarana

Isa Oto'oto | Akarana

Victor Kenese | Akarana

Uli Toki-Fisiifetau |Akarana

Jarno Andrewes | Auckland

Samas Kafoa | Auckland

Robert Pange | Auckland

Savelio-Anthony Pelenato | Auckland

Xavier Tavita-Saumanaia | Canterbury

Mason Cole | Canterbury

Kaci Heath | Canterbury

Ezra McCarthy | Counties Manukau

Ashton Ulaula-Ieremia | Counties Manukau

Siaosi Talakai-Alele | Counties Manukau

James Tulikaki | Counties Manukau

Tristan Ford-Walter | Counties Manukau

Tusi Liam Fanolua | Counties Manukau

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Finals MVP

Ashton Ulaula-Ieremia | Counties Manukau

Emerging Player

Makarios Vaihola | Wellington

MVP of the Tournament

Ashton Ulaula-Ieremia | Counties Manukau

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18s Girls

Grand Final | Counties Manukau 32 vs Auckland 6

The Counties wāhine took an early lead, scoring three tries. Despite being scoreless at halftime, Auckland remained in the hunt, creating several close opportunities and keeping the deficit to just 12-0, with Counties unable to add any conversions.

The Aucklanders started the second half strongly, scoring an early try to get their first points on the board. However, Counties responded with a try of their own to regain momentum, going on to dominate the remainder of the match and secure a 32-6 victory, centre Armeliah Isara finishing with a double.

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New Zealand Clubs 18s Girls team

Jaelynn Marsh | Akarana

Chrisena Nathan | Auckland

Tylah Waddington | Auckland

Aliyah Peka Tanoai | Auckland

Stella Leef | Auckland

Maraea Makiha | Bay of Plenty

Makayla Graham | Bay of Plenty

Lily Clarke | Bay of Plenty

Shanthie Lui | Counties Manukau

Armeliah Isara | Counties Manukau

Tayla Peters | Counties Manukau

Betsy Fifita | Counties Manukau

Jayralee Tonga | Counties Manukau

Moonlight Moala | Counties Manukau

Ella Leauga | Manawatū

Maddison Renae Seumanutafa | Manawatū

Gabriella Wright | Manawatū

Te Ami Amairi Te Hei | Manawatū

Taliah Mapakaitolo | Wellington

Casey Sio | Wellington

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Finals MVP

Armeliah Isara | Counties Manukau

Emerging Player

Karamea Driscoll Maruariki | Akarana

MVP of the Tournament

Shanthie Lui | Counties Manukau

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Referees Awards

Young Referee of the Tournament | Cody Docherty

Referee's Choice of the Tournament | Aleigha Macdonald-Cope

Referee of the Tournament | Luke Whittaker

On Day 2 of the National Youth Tournament, Bruce Pulman Park remained windy with sporadic showers continuing throughout the day - but the weather did little to deter the participating rangatahi and supporters who still turned out in force.

The 16s boys’ and girls’ grades went straight into quarter-finals before battling through semis to lock in their Grand Finalists. The 18s girls also contested their quarter-finals and semi-finals, while the 18s boys completed pool play before moving into quarters, with semi-finals locked in for tomorrow morning.

Grand Finals kick off from 10:00 am on Field 1, all broadcast live on Sky Sport.

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16s Boys

With the top eight seeded teams heading straight into quarter-finals in the opening round of the day, Counties dominated Bay of Plenty, South Island edged Hawke's Bay by two points, Taranaki narrowly defeated Wellington by a try, and a strong Canterbury side defeated the 2025 champions Akarana, 24-12.

In semi-final 1, Counties eliminated the Cantabrians from title contention with a 14-0 win, and the South Island Scorpions dominated Taranaki 34-6 in the second semi-final to book a Grand Final spot against Counties.

16s Boys Grand Final | Counties Manukau vs South Island 10:00 am

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16s Girls

Over in the 16s girls quarters, Counties convincingly beat Northland, Auckland edged out Waikato by just four points, Wellington also bested Manawatū by a try in a high-scoring contest, and Akarana proved too strong for Bay of Plenty.

Four-time defending champions Counties then defeated Akarana 14-4 in the first semi-final, while Auckland overcame Wellington 18-4 to secure their place in the big dance. This sets up a Counties vs Auckland Grand Final, a rematch of the 2025 decider.

16s Girls Grand Final | Counties Manukau vs Auckland 11:10 am

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18s Boys

In Pool A of the 18s Boys, Auckland completed an undefeated run to top the table, while 2025 champions Canterbury finished second with just one loss to Auckland. Similarly in Pool B, Akarana finished Day 2 unbeaten, with Counties securing second place after only losing to the frontrunners.

The semi-finals kick off at 9:00 am tomorrow, with Auckland facing Counties and Akarana taking on Canterbury. Both match-ups are set to be intense contests as the teams battle for a place in the Grand Final.

18s Boys Grand Final | TBC 12:20 pm

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18s Girls

In the 18s Girls grade, teams completed the final round of pool play in the morning, before the top two teams from each pool crossed over in the afternoon semi-finals.

Counties finished unbeaten 3-0 to top Pool A, with Auckland finishing second. In Pool B, Bay of Plenty claimed the top spot after an upset victory over Akarana, who still advanced in second.

Counties proved too strong for Akarana in their semi-final, cruising to a 40-0 victory. In the other semi-final, the Auckland Vulcans defeated Bay of Plenty 20-10. The Bay side made a valiant second-half comeback, but the Vulcans held on to secure their place in the Grand Final.

18s Girls Grand Final | Counties Manukau vs Auckland 1:40 pm

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See all results & draws here: sporty.co.nz/nzrl/national-competitions-1/national-youth-competition

Keep up with all the action on the NZRL grassroots social pages: beacons.ai/nzrlgrassroots

42 teams from 13 different Zones and Districts from across Aotearoa descended on Auckland’s Bruce Pulman Park, ready to make their mark at the 2026 NZRL National Youth Tournament. Despite the rain showers and strong winds, the fields were buzzing with young players, team staff, and supporters, as round-robin action got underway across all four boys’ and girls’ grades.

Day 2 tomorrow will see round-robin games continue, before semi-finals and grand finals take place on Tuesday.

All Field 1 games are broadcast live on Sky Sport.

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16s Girls

Counties, Auckland, Manawatū and Bay of Plenty lead the pack of 11 teams at the end of Day 1, all undefeated. Counties recorded the biggest win of the day, 52-0 over Canterbury, while Waikato edged Akarana in a 14-12 upset in Round 1. Manawatū and Northland also had an intense clash, a last-minute Manawatū try securing them an 18-16 win.

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18s Girls

In Pool A of the 18s Girls grade, Counties took an early lead, finishing as the only undefeated team of the day after winning two from two against Waikato and Auckland. Similarly in Pool B, the wāhine from the Bay of Plenty put the pool on notice after securing two wins over Wellington and Akarana. The top two teams from each pool at the end of Day 2 will advance to semi-finals.

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16s Boys

In the largest grade of the tournament with 13 competing teams, Counties Manukau, South Island and Taranaki finished the day in the top three, all recording two wins from two. Counties showed their strength with a 22-4 win over Northland and 54-0 defeat of Manawatū.

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18s Boys

Over in the 18s grade, Canterbury and Auckland claim the top two spots of Pool A, while Akarana and Counties lead Pool B - all undefeated. Akarana had the biggest win of the day, keeping Waikato scoreless 40-0. In Pool B, Bay of Plenty and South Island played a thriller, BoP emerging winners by a kick. As in the 18s Girls, the top two teams from each pool at the end of Day 2 will advance to semi-finals.

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See all results & draws here: sporty.co.nz/nzrl/national-competitions-1/national-youth-competition

Keep up with all the action on the NZRL grassroots social pages: beacons.ai/nzrlgrassroots

The National Men’s Premiership and Sky Sport Women’s Premiership Grand Finals got underway at Bruce Pulman Park, with supporters braving blistering winds and showers to get behind their teams.

The men’s Grand Final delivered a thrilling contest that went down to the wire, culminating in an upset victory, while the women’s Grand Final saw a dominant performance as the champions asserted their control from the outset.

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National Men's Premiership

Auckland 22 Counties Manukau 18

The Men’s Premiership Grand Final went down to the wire, with defending champions Counties Manukau and Auckland putting their bodies on the line in a tough, physical battle for the national title. Counties struck first through veteran forward Albert Vete, before centre Antony Naitoko crossed to extend their lead. The Vulcans hit back through the elusive Andre Kahui-Singh, keeping themselves in the competition with the score at 12-6 heading into the break.

Auckland came out firing in the second half, with halfback Tama Darlington crossing and converting his own try to level the scores and swing the momentum firmly in their favour. Auckland would go on to cross for two more tries to take the lead, with a late response by Counties as Naitoko crossed for his second of the afternoon with just two minutes remaining. Auckland held firm to complete the upset and claim the national title with a 22-18 victory. Darlington played a key role in the Vulcans' comeback, finishing with 10 points from a try and three conversions, and teammate Kahui-Singh winning Finals MVP.

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‍Sky Sport National Women's Premiership

Counties Manukau 36 Wellington 10

Counties set the tone from the opening whistle, with veteran captain and powerhouse forward Onjeurlina Hunt making an unstoppable line break in the opening minute of the game to open the scoring. Wellington hit back with a try of their own, with a swinging attack play to their left edge for winger Hinemaia Uruamo-Taiaki to score from dummy half and put their first points on the board. Despite the Orcas' try, Counties were not deterred and showed their strength in the middle of the park, crossing for three more tries before the break to take control of the contest 24-4.

The Stingrays carried that scoring momentum into the second half, while Wellington managed just one more try as Counties continued to build their lead. At full-time, Counties had secured a 36-10 victory and retained their national title for another year. Halfback Tiana Thomson was instrumental in guiding her side around the park and proved equally vital with the boot landing four conversions, her standout performance earning her Finals MVP honours.

The Counties Manukau Stingrays and Auckland Vulcans have secured their spots in the National Men’s Premiership Grand Final after defeating South Island sides Canterbury and Otago respectively in their semi-finals at Bruce Pulman Park today.

Canterbury and Otago will meet in the third-place play-off, with all Men's and Women's Premiership finals set for Bruce Pulman tomorrow in conjunction with Day 1 of the NZRL National Youth Tournament.

The Counties women will face Wellington in the Sky Sport National Women’s Premiership Grand Final, as decided at the Napier qualifying tournament two weeks ago. Having met earlier in the tournament, the two strong sides are familiar with each other, setting the stage for an intense rematch tomorrow afternoon.

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National Premiership Finals | Sunday 27 September, Bruce Pulman Park Auckland

National Men's Premiership third place final | Canterbury vs Otago 11:00 am

National Men's Premiership Grand Final | Counties vs Auckland 1:00 pm

Sky Sport National Women's Premiership Grand Final | Counties Manukau vs Wellington 2:00 pm

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Auckland 24 Canterbury 10

The South Islanders came out firing, taking an early lead through tries to loose forward Cyris Timo-Latu and Amby Palega, both converted successfully. Not out of the fight, the Aucklanders hit back with two tries in quick succession to bring the score to 12-10 at half-time, with Canterbury holding a narrow two-point lead.

The second half saw an intense back-and-forth battle for the opening 15 minutes, before Auckland broke the deadlock with another try to take the lead for the first time. The momentum shifted firmly in their favour from there, with the Cantabrians unable to find a way through for points or keep the Aucklanders at bay. Auckland crossed twice more to seal a 24-12 victory and secure their place in the Grand Final.

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Counties Manukau 42 Otago 0

Led around the park by skilful halfback William Fakatoumafi, Counties proved too strong for the Otago side. The score sat at just 16-0 at half-time, with Otago defending strongly and doing well to foil multiple Counties try-scoring opportunities. But Counties lifted the intensity after the break, putting their foot down in the second half. Fakatoumafi and winger Jerry Poutu both finished with doubles, while centre Antony Naitoko crossed for a hat-trick. Standoff Tyrone Waipouri also contributed 12 points, scoring a try and landing five conversions as Counties ran out 42-0 winners.

The National Men's Premiership semi-finals, Grand Finals, and Sky Sport Women's Premiership Grand Finals are locked in for this Saturday and Sunday at Auckland's Bruce Pulman Park, following the thrilling qualifying tournaments in Napier and Christchurch.

The 2026 National Youth Tournament also kicks off at Bruce Pulman on Sunday, running through to Tuesday 29 September, with the boys’ and girls’ tournaments taking place together across the three days.

The tournament will see 42 District representative teams compete for national honours - a 16% increase from 2025 - across the 16s boys, 16s girls, 18s boys, and 18s girls grades, with 13 Districts from across Aotearoa being represented at the tournament.

Hawke’s Bay will enter the 16s boys and girls grades, adding another District to this year’s growing line-up. In the 16s boys, Coastline and Taranaki make their return to the grade. Over in the 18s, Northland return to the boys tournament, while Waikato, Bay of Plenty and Manawatū also re-enter the girls grade, adding further depth to the tournament.

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National Men's Premiership semi-finals | Saturday 26 September

Canterbury Bulls vs Auckland Vulcans 12:00 pm

Counties Manukau Stingrays vs Otago Whalers 2:00 pm

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National Men's Premiership Finals | Sunday 27 September

Third place final 11:00 am

Grand Final 1:00 pm

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Sky Sport Women's Premiership Grand Final | Counties Manukau Stingrays vs Wellington Orcas 2:00 pm

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Draws and Broadcast

All draws and results: https://www.sporty.co.nz/nzrl/national-competitions-1/national-mens-premiership

All upcoming NZRL national tournaments will be exclusively broadcast on Sky Sport. All Premiership finals will be live broadcast, as well as all National Youth Tournament Field 1 games including Grand Finals on Tuesday.

For a $59.99 monthly Sky Sport Now pass, watch NZRL's National Men's Premiership, Sky Sport National Women's Premiership, National Youth Tournament, and the NZ Resident youth representative matches - as well as all the NRL and NRLW action, with playoffs continuing this weekend.

Broadcast replays will be uploaded to the NZRL YouTube channel in the following day/s.

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Parking

Best spectator parking is available through Gate A (Walters Road) and Gate C (Kuaka Drive). Parking via Gate B (Walters Road) is reserved for allocated teams and staff, spectators will only be permitted entry to the carpark area closest to the road.

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Food

A number of delicious food vendors will be on site throughout the weekend for supporters, whānau, and players to enjoy, including Sweet Azz Hawaiian BBQ, Karaage Boy, Hey Presto, Donut Waka, Mia's Real Fruit Ice Cream & Coffee, Addicted Coffee and Coffee Guy.

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Keep up with all the tournament action on NZRL’s grassroots social media platforms: beacons.ai/nzrlgrassroots

Wheel Kiwis co-captains Kauri Murray and Jack Brown are examples of how wheelchair rugby league is creating a pathway into the game for many disabled athletes - and, for some, a pathway back.

Murray, who was left paralysed in his left leg after suffering a reaction to a polio vaccine as an infant, believes wheelchair rugby league is playing a pivotal role in ensuring the game is inclusive as it welcomes disabled and non-disabled athletes alike.

"We have many people from many walks of life, and they all have incredible stories to tell," Murray said.

"I always wanted to play rugby league growing up, and I've always tried to find ways to fill that hole. 

"A lot of those stories relate to us playing rugby league in the past and now being unable to play. Now wheelchair rugby league is our option."

At 18 years-of-age, Jack Brown was in a car accident that left him paralysed. Brown took up wheelchair basketball but felt the sport wasn't satisfying his itch for the contact rugby league can provide.

Having played rugby union for 14 years prior to his accident, Brown craved the physicality he felt was missing from wheelchair basketball.

"I missed that level of contact," he said. "After my injury, I got into basketball, but I got sent off every game for fouling."

Brown discovered wheelchair rugby league socially three years ago and quickly found the competitive edge he'd been searching for.

"I love the contact. I want to get out there and smash and barge. You don't get that from basketball," Brown commented.

The experiences of Murray and Brown highlight the code's growing ability to create opportunities, whether that's people returning to the game they love or introducing them to rugby league for the first time.  

Although their journeys into the sport may be different, both players found the same thing: a place where disability wasn’t a barrier to taking part in the rugby league.  

New Zealand coach Edie George has been encouraged by the side’s rapid growth since the inauguration of Wheel Kiwis in 2024.

“The respect, the banter, the camaraderie. I’ve never seen a group of people gel together this quickly,” commended George.

“Our biggest strength is our culture.”

George trusts that the sport’s growing profile is creating greater visibility and opportunities for people with disabilities. 

With disabled and non-disabled athletes competing together, George highlights that wheelchair rugby league offers a rare level of inclusivity, expanding participation opportunities while strengthening the game through a wider talent pool.

Having been involved with wheelchair rugby league since 2020, George is confident that the Wheel Kiwis can make an impression at their first-ever Wheelchair World Cup.

“Our goal is to show the world we’re competitive and make our country proud," he said.

With the Wheel Kiwis only in their third year of operation, wheelchair rugby league in New Zealand is still in its infancy.

Despite that, the team has lofty ambitions ahead of October’s Rugby League World Cup, where the wheelchair rugby league tournament will run alongside the Men's and Women's competitions. 

"We're Kiwis; we love sport, and we love contact," Brown said.

"We might not be at the top yet, but it’ll be a great experience for the team."

The Wheel Kiwis open their campaign against Australia on October 31, before meeting France on November 3 and Scotland on November 6. All games are at Wollongong's WIN Entertainment Centre.

“Hopefully, we can inspire Kiwis who can’t compete in traditional sport that there’s always an opportunity in rugby league,” George said.  

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As seen on rlwc2026.com

Competition was high, but so was connection as the inaugural NZRL Wheelchair Rugby League Nationals took place over this weekend, a significant milestone for wheelchair rugby league in Aotearoa.  

Helping to create more opportunities for people to participate and enjoy our game, new and seasoned players alike from both across the country and through an invited Queensland team took to the courts, challenging each other in hard fought games.  

Day 1: Rounds

Day 1 saw teams going head-to-head, with Auckland, Wai-Coa-Bay, Whaanui, and Queensland Rolling Toads all looking to put their mark on the competition and vying for finals spots on the Sunday.

Auckland and Wai-Coa-Bay opened the tournament, Auckland able to edge out their competitors by only a few tries to claim the victory 22-12. Later in the day, they were also able to see out Whaanui 34-22 to go into Day 2 with 2 wins. However, it was the visiting Queensland side that stood top of the table on points difference, also 2 wins from 2. They saw out Whaanui in their first game 52-12 before taking to the court in back-to-back games to take the win against Wai-Coa-Bay in a much closer match, the final score 34-26.

Day 2: Finals

Sunday kicked off with the semi-finals, Auckland up against Whaanui and Wai-Coa-Bay pitted against Queensland.  

Auckland versus Whaanui proved a tight contest. After trading tries, Auckland led for the majority of the game, up 26-12 at one point. However, Whaanui weren’t going to let it slip way, fighting back hard all the way to the dying seconds. With the final score 26-24, Auckland secured their place in the final.  

In the other semi, Queensland proved too good for Wai-Coa-Bay. Despite being able to amass 20 points, Queensland’s speed and agility helped them run away with it, 60 points on the board for the visiting team in the end. This saw them through to the final against Auckland.  

3^rd vs 4^th

In a game with plenty of big hits, Whaanui and Wai-Coa-Bay both put it all out there from the opening whistle. Trading two tries each it was only one conversion that separated them at half time, Wai-Coa-Bay up 14-12.

In the second half Wai-Coa-Bay were first to get on the board, a kick chase recovered and passed through to see the team extend their lead. With one more try they had the ascendancy at 24-12.  

But again, Whaanui showed incredible spirit, fighting their way back into the game. After two tries, Whaanui were able to lock the score up at 24 all, the final hooter going off and the two teams sharing 3^rd place.  

Final

With the inaugural title, and bragging rights on the line, Auckland lined up against trans-Tasman rivals Queensland, hoping to keep the trophy in Aotearoa.  

However, Queensland showcased their skill in the first 10 mins, dotting over three times to take the lead to 12-0.  

But Auckland was determined to get back into it. Off a goal line drop out, Auckland were able to slice through the opposition, regather the kick and score at the other end to take it to 12-4.  

Unfortunately, Queensland were able to dot down another two times before half time, 22-4 seeing them with a lead that would be hard to pull back.  

Although Queensland were first to score in the second half, again Auckland fought back immediately with two tries of their own. 28-14 and Auckland needed to continue the momentum.  

It wasn’t to be though. Another 20 points on the board for Queensland putting the trophy all but in their hands. Despite one more try to Auckland, the buzzer goes off and Queensland are crowned the champions, the final score 48-20.  

Tournament MVP: Nikia Fa'atau

The countdown to the biggest and most competitive Rugby League World Cup is entering its final stages, with just one month to go until the heavyweight showdown between the Kangaroos and Kiwis kicks off the tournament at Allianz Stadium on October 15.

The blockbuster clash reignites one of the international game’s greatest rivalries as Australia, the 2025 Ashes Series winners, take on Pacific Cup champions New Zealand before what is set to be the biggest international rugby league crowd in Sydney for almost two decades.

More than 150,000 tickets have already been sold as anticipation builds for Rugby League World Cup 2026, which involves 26 teams representing 14 nations in three tournaments -Men's, Women's and Wheelchair.

Staged across nine cities in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea, RLWC26 features 53 matches in Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Port Moresby, Christchurch, Newcastle, Wollongong, Gold Coast and Townsville.

The Kangaroos-Kiwis clash is set to be the most attended international rugby league fixture in Sydney since 34,157 fans packed Allianz Stadium for the opening match of the 2008 World Cup between the trans-Tasman rivals.

The tournament culminates on November 15 at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium, where theMen's and Women's World Cup champions will be crowned after a month of intense competition.

Fans are encouraged to secure their seats now as RLWC26 features a number of must-see matches, including:

• England v Tonga at HBF Park on October 17
• Fiji v Cook Islands at McDonald Jones Stadium on October 18
• Tonga v Lebanon at CommBank Stadium on October 23
• Australia v Fiji at Suncorp Stadium on October 25
• England v Papua New Guinea at WIN Stadium on October 30
• New Zealand v Fiji at Cbus Super Stadium on October 31
• Australia v Cook Islands at Queensland Country Bank Stadium on October 31
• Samoa v Tonga at CommBank Stadium on November 1

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Rugby League World Cup 2026 will also showcase the best of the Women’s game, with the Jillaroos opening two matches against Samoa at CommBank Stadium on October 14 and England at HBF Stadium on October 26 to be played in prime time broadcast slots.

For the first time, Men’s, Women’s and Wheelchair matches will be played alongside each other in Wollongong on October 30 – featuring all three England teams in back-to-back fixtures

Established in 1954, the Rugby League World Cup is the second oldest sporting World Cup and the 17th edition shapes as the most competitive and unpredictable yet.

The rise of Pacific nations has transformed the international game and traditional powerhouses Australia, New Zealand and England are no longer assured of dominating.

Led by Jason Taumalolo, Tonga ignited a rugby league revolution at RLWC2017 before Samoa became the first Pacific nation to reach a World Cup final in 2022 against Australia at Old Trafford.

Since then, New Zealand have won two Pacific Championships, inflicting a record 30-0defeat of Australia in the 2023 final.

Tonga qualified for the 2024 Pacific Cup final while Samoa has continued to establish themselves among the game's elite nations by reaching last year’s decider.

Papua New Guinea are also on the rise after winning the Pacific Bowl for the past three years and with the introduction of the Chiefs, while Fiji have been semi-finalists at three of the past four World Cups.

Cook Islands are set to field their strongest team yet while Lebanon and France will be dangerous and unpredictable opponents, and England have a point to prove.

With a unique tournament format featuring crossover matches and head-to-head results playing a crucial role in determining semi-final positions, every match is must-win.

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MEN

The 10-team Men's World Cup will feature one pool of four nations and two pools of three nations.

Group A: Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Cook Islands

Group B: England, Samoa, Lebanon

Group C: Tonga, Papua New Guinea, France

The Men's tournament begins on October 15 with Australia facing New Zealand at Allianz Stadium, while England's opening clash against Tonga at Perth's HBF Park on October 17 is set to be another highlight of the opening weekend.

The Group stage concludes with a showdown between Pacific rivals Tonga and Samoa at CommBank Stadium on November 1 that could determine which nation progresses to the semi-final stage.

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WOMEN

The Women's Rugby League World Cup promises to be the most competitive ever, with eight nations vying for international supremacy.

While the Jillaroos remain the benchmark, the ongoing growth of the NRLW competition and changing international eligibility rules have dramatically strengthened rival nations.

The Kiwi Ferns continue to build a formidable squad, while England, Samoa, Fiji and Papua New Guinea are set to be bolstered by NRLW stars.

Group A: Australia, England, Samoa, Wales
Group B: New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, France, Fiji

The Women's tournament begins on October 16 when Australia faces Samoa as part of a double-header with the Men's clash between Samoa and France at CommBank Stadium.

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WHEELCHAIR

The Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup will once again highlight why rugby league is known as the greatest game for all.

Defending champions England are aiming to secure back-to-back World Cup titles, while France seeks redemption after their heartbreaking defeat in the 2022 final. Australia will be chasing history by winning a Wheelchair World Cup on home soil.

All Wheelchair World Cup matches will be staged at Wollongong's WIN Entertainment Centre, with the opening games on October 30 and the final to be played on November 13.

Group A: England, Ireland, Wales, USA
Group B: France, Australia, Scotland, New Zealand

One of the most unique days of RLWC2026 will occur on October 30 when England's Wheelchair team opens its campaign against Wales before the England Men's and Women's teams take the field at the adjoining WIN Stadium in a historic festival of international rugby league.

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Tickets and draw: rlwc2026.com

All matches will be broadcast live and exclusive in Australia on Seven and 7plus, onSky Sport in New Zealand and Digicel in Papua New Guinea.

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As seen on rlwc2026.com

The final day of the North Island tournament in Hastings and South Island tournament in Christchurch determined the National Sky Sport Women’s Premiership Grand Finalists and the National Men’s Premiership semi-finalists, set to take place in Auckland in two weeks’ time.

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National Men's Premiership semi-finals

Saturday 26 September | Bruce Pulman Park, Auckland

Counties Manukau Stingrays vs Otago Whalers

Canterbury Bulls vs Auckland Vulcans

Grand Final Sunday 27 September | Bruce Pulman Park, Auckland

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National Sky Sport Women's Premiership Grand Final

Sunday 27 September | Bruce Pulman Park, Auckland

Counties Manukau Stingrays vs Wellington Orcas

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National Men's Premiership wrap up

North Island

Day 2 of the North Island tournament delivered comebacks and upsets with the race for second spot going down to the final round. In Round 1, the Akarana Falcons fought back from 22-6 down at half-time to defeat the Auckland Vulcans and keep their semi-final hopes alive. Halfback Cassius Tia was instrumental in the comeback, putting on a masterclass with four try assists and four conversions. A Bay of Plenty default then cemented Counties Manukau’s position at the top of the standings, guaranteeing them a place in the semi-finals.

With Waikato, Auckland and Akarana all still in contention for second, the final round was crucial. Auckland put the pressure on with a dominant 36-6 victory over Waikato, led by a double from Tumua Soo-Choon and four conversions from Sefanaia Cowley-Lupo. With everything to play for, Akarana put up a valiant fight against Counties. Trailing just 10-0 at half-time, the Falcons crossed early in the second half, before Counties hit back to extend their lead to 16-4. Akarana responded with two more tries to close the gap, but with neither converted and the clock running down, the Falcons ultimately fell 16-12. The result saw the Vulcans claim second spot and secure the final semi-final spot on points differential.

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South Island

On Day 1 of the South Island Men’s Premiership tournament, the Canterbury Bulls went undefeated to secure the top spot and a place in Sunday’s placing final, as well as a guaranteed trip to the National Premiership semi-finals. It was far from an easy run, with the Bulls edging the Otago Whalers 34-32 before narrowly overcoming the Wellington Orcas 14-10. Otago finished second after a dominant 30-14 victory over Wellington, followed by a tight 22-20 win over the Southland Stags.

In Sunday’s placing final, the hosts delivered a classy performance in front of a strong home crowd, running out 42-8 winners to claim first place in the South Island competition. The result sets up a National Premiership semi-final against the North Island’s Auckland Vulcans, while the second-placed Whalers will face Counties Manukau in the other semi-final.

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National Sky Sport Women's Premiership wrap up

At the start of Day 2, Counties Manukau solidified their position at the top of the standings and locked in a Grand Final berth with a dominant 54-6 victory over Akarana.

With the second Grand Final spot still up for grabs between Akarana, Canterbury and Wellington, the final round was pivotal. Counties continued their strong form, defeating Canterbury 20-4, knocking the side out of contention and completing their undefeated tournament run. Although Auckland were already out of the title race with only one win, they had nothing to lose heading into their final game against fellow Aucklanders Akarana. They produced a strong performance to cause a 16-10 upset, with winger Jeyla Ropati scoring a double. That result left the door open for Wellington, who delivered a dominant 48-0 victory over Waikato to claim the second Grand Final spot ahead of Akarana on points differential. Siaiga Filipo and Manaia Maxwell-Puohotaua both crossed twice, while Maia Rickard contributed a 12-point haul to round out a convincing performance.