England's wheelchair rugby league team opened their 2026 World Cup campaign with a commanding 98-18 victory over Wales at the Win Entertainment Centre in Wollongong. The reigning champions, who have reached every final since the tournament's inception in 2008 and won titles in 2008 and 2022, next face the United States in Group A on Tuesday.
Squad built on diverse pathways
Captain Rob Hawkins, 25, leads the side after winning the Wheels of Steel award for the Wheelchair Super League's best player and helping Halifax Panthers secure the Grand Final. He scored 11 of England's 18 tries against Wales. Luis Domingos, a former Portugal basketball international, switched both sport and nationality to represent England for Sheffield Eagles. Jack Brown spent five and a half years in Australia coaching and working as a welder before returning to focus on playing; he will become Wakefield's wheelchair head coach next season. Finlay O'Neill, forced to retire from running rugby league at 16 after a knee dislocation, found a new career in the wheelchair game with Halifax Panthers.
France, Ireland and Australia pose strongest challenges
England's historic rivals France have contested the past three finals, winning in 2013 and 2017 before England's 28-24 victory in Manchester four years ago. Ireland, ranked third globally, began their campaign with a 110-10 thrashing of the USA. Hosts Australia field their strongest ever squad and opened with a 112-14 win over New Zealand, raising the possibility of an unprecedented sweep of the men's, women's and wheelchair tournaments.
Non-disabled players integral to sport's growth
Australia's captain Bayley McKenna is the tournament's first non-disabled skipper, having taken up the sport in 2006 to support his paralysed father. Non-disabled players are vital for squad depth and visibility, though McKenna revealed he faced social media abuse during the previous World Cup from critics who questioned his participation. England's Jack Brown is also non-disabled, having entered the sport alongside his disabled brother. A two-match Test series between England and Australia last year suggested the competitive gap may be narrowing.
