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Australia has booked a semi-final showdown with Japan at the 2023 International Wheelchair Rugby Cup (IWRC) in Paris after passing a stern test against Denmark on Saturday.
Needing a commanding performance over Denmark in their final pool A match to progress, the Steelers delivered with a 57-50 victory built on mistake-free rugby. They conceded just one turnover in the first three quarters.
“I’m very happy with the way our entire team played today,” Australian head coach Brad Dubberley said.
“To give up only three turnovers for the entire game, and one of them being the very first play, just shows that our offence is playing really well and that are we moving the right direction as we look towards the Paralympics next year.”
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The Steelers will have plenty to prove the semi-final, the first meeting between the two teams since the final of the Paris 2024 qualification tournament in July held in Tokyo.
With the winner securing a ticket to the Paralympic Games, Japan totally outclassed the Steelers 55-44.
Meanwhile, Japan will not be lacking motivation either. At this tournament four years ago in Tokyo, both teams meet in the semi-final in front of boisterous crowd before the Australians silenced them with a one-goal victory secured in the final seconds.
“We know we need to keep building and keep improving, and we know we need to play clean rugby in the semi-final if we are to beat Japan.”
“Coming here, I really didn’t know what to expect so it’s been really pleasing to progress out of our pool against three excellent teams. But the tournament’s not over,” Dubberley said.
“This is an extremely close tournament. Where our sport is at the moment means there are so many close games between all of the top teams. If you’re conceding only a few turnovers, you’re losing games. The margin for error is getting smaller and smaller.”
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Australia plays Japan in the semi-final at 2am on Sunday (AEDST). All matches can be watched on the World Wheelchair Rugby YouTube channel.
Held in conjunction with the Rugby Union World Cup in France, the International Wheelchair Rugby Cup features the world’s top eight nations.
International Wheelchair Rugby Cup, Paris, France – 18 – 21 October, 2023
Australian Steelers – Fixtures (times in AEDT)
Oct 18 – CAN 49 def AUS 48
Oct 20 – AUS 50 def GBR 48
Oct 21 – AUS 57 def DEN 50
Semi-finals, Oct 22
12am: CAN v FRA
2am: AUS v JPN
Final Fixtures, Oct 23
2:30am – Bronze Medal Match
4:00 – Gold Medal Match
By: Tim Mannion, Paralympics Australia
Posted: 21 October 2023
Image: Megumi Masuda
