England Win Wheelchair World Cup for Third Time
England (28) 50
- Tries: Coyd 4, Hawkins 2, Brown 3
- Goals: Hawkins, Collins 6
France (22) 38
- Tries: Bourson, L Hivernat, Dore, Guttadoro, Denuwelaere 3
- Goals: L Hivernat 3, N Clausells 2
England can now adorn their dressing-room ladder with a golden rung—their third Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup victory.
On Friday in Wollongong, Australia, they became the first nation to lift the trophy three times, displaying a dominant performance against France, winning 50-38. This triumph comes on the heels of their men's and women's teams' disappointments.
The match was a closely contested affair, with the only surprise being the 12-point gap between the two powerhouse nations in the sport. Since their victory in Manchester in 2022, England and France had met four times, each winning twice.
England, with a positive approach, aimed to win the trophy rather than defend it. They delivered on this ambition, showcasing their skills in a thrilling match filled with intense collisions and dramatic moments.
Joe Coyd, who scored four tries, and Jack Brown, with a hat-trick, were key contributors, but numerous other players in white showcased their heroism. The Wollongong Entertainment Centre was the stage for a nerve-racking contest, filled with brutal collisions, chair smashes, and goalpost repairs, adding to the intensity.
Hawkins, the recent recipient of three consecutive Golden Boots, lived up to his reputation, providing memorable moments and setting up Brown for a try before halftime. Despite England's initial lead, they faced a setback when Mason Billington was penalized for shoving Leo Hivernat, allowing France to gain momentum with a try from Jeremy Bourson. Damien Dore, Hivernat, and Florian Guttadoro extended France's lead, but England quickly regained control, with Hawkins scoring again to secure their lead. They never relinquished it, adding to their list of World Cup victories.