England Secures Historic Win at Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup
England’s Wheelchair Rugby League team celebrated a remarkable achievement, successfully defending their title by defeating France 50-38 in the World Cup final held in Wollongong, Australia. Throughout their campaign, the team employed unique strategies, including the use of a ladder in team meetings to symbolize their path to victory, marking each win with a spray-painted gold rung.
Under the guidance of coach Tom Coyd, who champions an aggressive approach, England set out with a clear mission to adopt a proactive mindset. Since their trophy win in Manchester four years ago, Coyd has focused on steering the narrative away from “defending” their title to embracing an offensive strategy.
As a demonstration of their attacking mindset, England achieved an impressive tally of 386 points in the group stage and semi-finals while conceding just 68. This tactical shift ultimately led them to become the first nation to secure the Wheelchair World Cup three times.
“I think your reality is the story that you tell yourself,” Coyd stated. He emphasized the importance of reframing their approach, noting, “We found that framing to be defensive… and we wanted to come in with an attacking mindset and with a hunter’s mindset.”
The final against France proved to be a thrilling encounter. After a shaky start where England fell behind 22-10, they rallied to take control of the match and achieve victory. Coyd praised the execution of his players, noting France’s strong performance and expressing pride in his team’s transformation.
Despite facing pressure from France, who had taken a brief lead in the match, England regained their composure with crucial tries from Rob Hawkins, recently named the world’s best player for the third time, and Jack Brown. Captain Lewis King’s leadership provided the team with the reassurance needed during critical moments, as Coyd described him as “without a doubt the talisman for this group.”
Joe Coyd, Tom’s younger brother and a key performer with four tries, remarked on the team’s camaraderie, highlighting their collective confidence and mutual support. Jack Brown, celebrating his third winner’s medal, agreed that the team’s organized approach did not rely on extravagant speeches but rather on their understanding of what needed to be accomplished.
The final match demonstrated not only England’s skill but also their ability to adapt and overcome challenges, solidifying their status as a powerhouse in the Wheelchair Rugby League.
