Wheelchair RLWC

[Perth Red]

Worthy of its own thread. Have to say this is the first time I've watched nay wheelchair RL and I'm hooked! Amazing skill, bravery and effort.

My sis lives in London and she messaged me during the week to tell me her and her husband had been to the eng game. They are big union fans (shame on her welsh husband!) and had gone to see the union version at the olympics. She said they were both amazed at how good it was and that it blew the olympics experience out of the water. Far more sklilful, they liked it went for 80mins and that it was much closer to 'proper' rugby.

Looking forward to watching the rest of the tournament, the finals should be belters

 

[wain]

i watched some of the first round matches the other day, and showed my daughters some highlights. the crowd added such a great atmosphere to the games.
brutal, brave, beautiful to watch and inclusive! what's not to like?

 

[Jack Deth]

England are very good, but have you seen how good the French are?

No wonder they are the champs.

 

[titoelcolombiano]

You start watching this and it grows on you quickly. IRL should be aiming for the Paralympics with this in the long term. Also, it's a form of the game that won't be held back by NRL clubs.

 

[miguel de cervantes]

I've really enjoyed the wheelchair tournament. it's been fantastic and I have seen nothing but praise for the sport on social media. if this doesn't result in an explosion of wheelchair rugby league clubs I don't know what will trigger such a thing. furthermore, I took the time to take a look at wheelchair rugby, who just had a european championship, and it doesn't look like rugby at all - it is more like european handball, no offside and weird tactics. I can't say it is even 20% as enjoyable to watch as wheelchair rugby league.

the sport has a real chance here to go places with this exposure.


and yes, the french are way too good.

 

[yakstorm]

This is my first real time watching it and yeah, can't help but fall in love with it. Even when the scoreline blow out, there is just so much to draw you in.

I loved the physicality in the USA v France match. Sure the States didn't have the skills as France (and boy are they skilled), but some of the hits and plays were brutal.

 

[Front-Rower]

This would have to be my highlight of the World Cup. These guys and gals not only have skill but they balls.

 

[Inkers75]

Loved the Wheelchair RL games. Helped by the fact that the England games have been shown on BBC primetime. All other games have been broadcast online or catch-up.
The game is brutal and throughly absorbing. Skill level is unreal.

 

[yakstorm]

4,256 at the Final. Some very solid crowds and great TV ratings. Would love to see the Wheelaroos get a bit more love from the NRL off the back of the increased exposure of Wheelchair Rugby League.

 

[Foreign Legion]

World record attendance smashed in Wheelchair World Cup Final - Serious About Rugby League

The Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup Final was incredible for so many reasons. Firstly, the exposure of the final live on BBC Two meant it was going to be given the limelight at prime time on a Friday night – attracting yet more new fans to this fantastic sport. Then the match itself was...

www.seriousaboutrl.com

 

[yakstorm]

Sold out Semi, sold out Final, crowds growing from 3K to 3.8K during the group stages in London, more than 300K viewing each match on BBC TV, there is huge potential for the RFL & IMG with the England Wheelchair team.

If I was them, I'd be going to the BBC and saying "what TV slots can you give us in 2023?" and then filling as many of them as possible with England v France given the most premium spot(s).

With most of the Wheelchair RL playing nations based in close proximity to England (Wales, Ireland, Scotland, France, Spain, Netherlands, Italy) you could very cost effectively build an international series which would have a reach per game bigger than most SL fixtures.

 

[Perth Red]

Congratulations to the tournament organisers for bringing wheelchair rugby league to the world. It’s taken England by storm and created a whole new legion of fans around the world.

been absolutely brilliant, by far my favourite part of the tournament. Skill, bravery, overcoming adveristy, pure rugby league!

and what a final to finish it off. It had everything, great tries, nail biting finish, controversy, a loony French ref and a record crowd. Well done to France and england for producing one for the ages.

and as a biased Pom, bloody brilliant England, proud of you lads!

 

[Perth Red]

Never underestimate the ability of a small group of people to change the world!

Great 3min watch of the history of wheelchair RL.

The Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup's evolution

Wheelchair Rugby League co-founder Robert Fassolette - the France team's interpreter at this World Cup - the history of the sport.

www.bbc.com