World’s Best Ready To Test Credentials For Paris Success

Still stinging after missing their first chance to qualify for Paris 2024, the Australian Steelers will be aiming to revitalise their Paralympic preparations when the International Wheelchair Rugby Cup begins in October.

The tournament in Paris, which coincides with the France 2023 Rugby World Cup, will be hosted by World Wheelchair Rugby and will feature the world’s top eight teams.

Paralympics Australia today announced the Australian Steelers selected, with captain Chris Bond set to lead a formidable 10-strong squad boasting 1,362 appearances in total for Australia along with Beau Vernon, who has earned his international debut.

It will be the first tournament for the Steelers since their disappointing display at the Asia Oceania Championships last month in Tokyo, where victory would have secured their direct ticket to Paris 2024.

Things went wrong though, with the Australians thrashed 55-44 in the final by Japan (ranked third in the world) who they also failed to beat twice in the qualifying rounds.

Not the result the Australian Steelers #WheelchairRugby team wanted, going down to host nation Japan, 55-44, in the Gold Medal Match at the Asia-Oceania Championships. We caught up with head coach Brad Dubberley: https://t.co/vXFDyA0MnB#ImagineWhatWeCanDo #Paris2024 @ww_rugby pic.twitter.com/MV0jIGW6bW

— AUS Paralympic Team (@AUSParalympics) July 2, 2023

The assignment won’t get any easier in Paris.

Grouped in Pool A, the Steelers (ranked second) will face Canada (fifth), Denmark (seventh) and reigning Paralympic champions Great Britain (fourth).

Japan (third), New Zealand (eighth), world number one United States and the host nation (sixth) form Pool B.

“This really is going to be a fascinating tournament. There are no easy games for any team and from our perspective, we have very tough games in our pool which is going to be an exciting challenge,” Australian head coach Brad Dubberley said.

“It goes with saying that our objective is to win the final, but we also think this tournament can help us answer some questions we’re pondering about selections for bigger tournaments coming up, particularly the final Paralympic qualifying event early next year and then obviously Paris 2024.

“On top of all that, it’s an important chance to gather lots of intel on our opponents because this might be the last time we seen them before the Paralympics.”

The tournament will provide the Steelers their first chance to play a tournament in the French capital, where they will be hopeful to gain as much insight as possible, on and off the court.

“I’ve never been to Paris. Our team has never played in Paris before. It’s going to be a very different experience for all of us. Obviously we’re there to do our job, but with the Rugby World Cup on at the same time, there will be a lot of people around, similar to what will happen obviously at the Paralympics.

“It will be pretty important to go out and get a feel for the city and get the tourist things done, so when we go back to Paralympics next year, we can fully concentrate on what we need to do when it really counts.”

The Steelers commence their IWRC campaign on October 18 against Canada.

Purchase tickets for the International Wheelchair Rugby Cup.

International Wheelchair Rugby Cup
Paris, France – 18 – 21 October, 2023

Australian Steelers – Fixtures (times in AEDT)

• Oct 18 @ 18:00 – AUS vs CAN
• Oct 20 @ 02:00 – AUS vs GBR
• Oct 21 @ 00:00 – AUS vs DEN
• Oct 21/22 – Semi-final Fixtures TBC
• Oct 23 – Final Fixtures TBC

Competing Nations By World Ranking

1. United States (Pool A)
2. Australia (Pool B)
3. Japan (Pool A)
4. Great Britain (Pool B)
5. Canada (Pool B)
6. France (Pool A)
7. Denmark (Pool B)
8. New Zealand (Pool A)

By: Tim Mannion, Paralympics Australia
Posted: 25 August 2023
Image: Megumi Masuda