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Bayley McKenna, the captain of Australia’s wheelchair rugby league team, has a particularly grisly way of selling his sport. Basically, he says, spectators at the World Cup should expect gladiatorial-level gore.
“They can expect big hits, finger dislocations, wrist dislocations, shoulder dislocations, tyre explosions, massive, massive bangs and a lot of skill to be able to push your chair, catch the ball, put it on your lap and straighten up and balance up on one wheel,” he said. “It is brutal.”
The Australian side is aiming to improve on their best finish – as runners-up in the inaugural tournament in 2008 – when they kick off their campaign against New Zealand in Wollongong on Saturday.
Named Wheelaroos captain last month, McKenna, 26, becomes the first player without a disability to lead the Australian team. He was introduced to the sport through his father, Darren, who became an amputee in 2006, when McKenna was six.
The semi-finals of the Women’s World Cup are locked in for next weekend, with New Zealand to face Samoa and Australia taking on Fiji.
Patriotic Aussie sporting fans looking for a win tonight may be wise to follow the footy only, with Australia’s cricketers making a meal of their final day run chase against South Africa so far. Both Matt Renshaw and Marnus Labuschagne were dismissed in the first over of the day by Kagiso Rabada.
Follow that blog over here , if you dare.
New Zealand are currently top of group A after thrashing Fiji 78-0 on the Gold Coast this afternoon.
1. Reece Walsh 2. Jack Bostock 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Bradman Best 5. Tom Trbojevic 6. Cameron Munster 7. Tom Dearden 8. Patrick Carrigan 9. Harry Grant 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. Jacob Preston 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo (c) Interchange: 14. Ethan Strange 15. Keaon Koloamatangi 17. Reuben Cotter 18. Lindsay Smith 19. James Tedesco 22. David Fifita
1. Valentine Holmes 2. Cameron Brown 3. KL Iro (c) 4. Reubenn Rennie 5. Esan Marsters 6. Maui Winitana-Patelesio 7. Brad Takairangi 8. Davvy Moale 9. Ruatapu Ngatikaura 10. Rhys Dakin 11. Chaev Kolone 12. Delahia Wigmore 13. Mason Teague Interchange: 14. David Tuariki 15. Makahesi Makatoa 16. Pride Petterson-Robati 17. Amare Milford 18. K-Ci Newton-Whare 19. Glassie Glassie
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of tonight’s Rugby League World Cup clash between Australia and the Cook Islands in Townsville.
It’s a humid 26 degrees at Queensland Country Bank Stadium tonight, and there should be plenty of opportunities for free-flowing attacking footy against tiring defences.
Most of that attacking footy is expected to come from the Aussies, with the Cook Islands $41 outsiders to win this game with the bookies. And this hasn’t been a tournament for upsets – since the Kangaroos’ thrilling 24-22 win over the Kiwis in the World Cup opener, the majority of games have been blowouts.
The Cook Islands lost their first game 40-12 to Fiji, then made a bright start against New Zealand before being walloped 82-16.
The Australians are coming off a 36-22 win over the Fijians last Sunday, and should be primed for a big win here. Kick-off is at 8.05pm.
