England has etched its name in history by becoming the first nation to win the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup three times, after a commanding 50-38 victory over France in Wollongong, Australia, on Friday.
Just as they did four years ago, England's wheelchair team delivered a memorable triumph that helps ease the disappointment of the men's and women's teams' earlier exits. The final was a pulsating encounter between the sport's two dominant forces, and England's performance was nothing short of peerless.
A Fitting Finale
From the opening whistle, it was clear that this would be a battle. England drew first blood with two tries from Joe Coyd, but France, refusing to be overwhelmed, responded through Jeremy Bourson, Damien Dore, Leo Hivernat, and Florian Guttadoro. The first half was a see-saw affair, with momentum shifting dramatically. A flashpoint occurred when Mason Billington was penalised for shoving Hivernat, and France capitalised immediately to narrow the gap.
However, England's response was emphatic. A stunning individual effort from Hawkins, who evaded two defenders before offloading to Brown, swung the contest back in England's favour before the break. Hawkins, recently crowned the first player in any form of rugby league to win three successive Golden Boots, lived up to his billing with a two-try performance that included a spectacular acrobatic finish in the second half.
France started the second half with a whirlwind try from Dany Denuwelaere, but England immediately regained control. Hawkins's acrobatic grounding in the right corner restored a six-point advantage, and from there, England never looked back. Tries from Coyd (four in total), Hawkins (two), and Brown (three) underscored their dominance, while Hawkins and Collins added goals to seal the win.
A Physical and Skilful Spectacle
The match was a bruising affair, with heavy collisions and chair smashes that required running repairs, including the reconstruction of a set of goalposts. Emotions ran high, but the skill on display was extraordinary, making it a superb advertisement for wheelchair rugby league.
England's victory is a testament to their positive approach. In the build-up, they spoke of wanting to win the trophy rather than defend it, and they delivered on the sport's biggest stage. The win avenges their loss to France in the 2021 final and marks their third World Cup title, following successes in 2008 and 2017.
For France, it was a valiant effort, but they were ultimately outclassed by an England side that combined physicality with finesse. The French team, led by tries from Denuwelaere (three), Bourson, Hivernat, Dore, and Guttadoro, never gave up, but England's relentless pressure and clinical finishing proved decisive.
Looking Ahead
As England celebrates their historic achievement, the future of wheelchair rugby league looks bright. The sport continues to grow in popularity, and this final showcased the very best it has to offer. For England, the victory is a culmination of years of hard work and dedication, and they will now look to build on this success.
Tom Coyd's side has once again shown that they are a force to be reckoned with, and their legacy will inspire future generations of players. The Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup has found its first three-time champion, and England's name is now forever etched in the history books.
