NSW Wheelchair Rugby League coach Edie George knows the challenge facing the players against Queensland this year and he says they’re ready.
“Definitely some unfinished business, which keeps piling up,” George told nswrl.com.au
The Cocoon SDA Care Wheelchair State Challenge has been set for Saturday 13 July at the South Pine Sports Centre at Albany Creek in Brisbane’s northern suburbs.
Kick-off is 3pm with the match to be live streamed via NRL.com.
The NSW team was picked after the annual Country-City match in late May, won by City 22-14 after the score was locked up 10-all at half-time.
The first team meeting and training session was last Sunday (2 June) at the Menai Indoor Sports Centre with another three pencilled in before travelling to Brisbane.
NSW is facing a fourth year on the trot on the losing end.
Queensland won 42-26 in July last year after the Blues had clawed their way back from a 24-4 half-time score to get within a converted try.
The Maroons were also successful in 2022 (49-24) and 2021 (50-30).
“The boys are still hurting from last year, especially since we lost that match off our own backs. We just didn’t follow the game plan,” George said.
“When we did, we started to put on some points and close the gap. The clock beat us and that was on us.”
There are no debutants this year but there are a few ‘comeback’ stories.
Veteran NSW and Australian Wheelaroo, Craig Cannane, is back after missing the 2023 season following eye surgery.
“He brings so much experience and hunger. He has the drive in-built into him,” George said.
“I’ll never forget the look on his face as he watched the game from the sidelines last year. He was hurting.”
Edge Iole has made his way back into the Blues after missing selection last year, while Moey Chemaissem returns to the rep scene after two years out.
Co-captains are World Cup players Brad Grove and Diab Karim.
Wheelchair Rugby League is played over two 40-minute halves, with the same points scoring as the running game. The ‘field of play’ is 50-metres in length and 25-metres wide, across three indoor basketball courts.
Rules are similar – players must pass backwards, possession changes after six tackles. A ‘tackle’ is made by ripping off the Velcro shoulder tag of an opposition player, similar to Tag football.
Kicks downfield, conversions, penalties and field goals are hand-punted. A play-the-ball is made by tapping the football on the ground before passing.
NSW (in alphabetical order): Brad Grove (capt), Cory Cannane, Craig Cannane, Diab Karim (capt), Edge Iole, Liam Luff, Moey Chemaissem, Rick Engles, Toby Popple, Zac Carl. Coach: Edie George.
