IRL Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup

Tue 10th November 2026   - KO  19:45 - WIN Entertainment Centre, Wollongong , Australia

England

86

FT

18

Half Time
40 - 0

Australia

Tries

Mason BILLINGTON (3,33,35)
Robert HAWKINS (9,13,53,57,63)
Joe COYD (17,23)
Jack BROWN (41,46)
Nathan COLLINS (49)
Chris HAYNES (70)
Lewis KING (74)

Diab KARIM (28,60)
Daniel ANSTEY (66)

Goals

Robert HAWKINS (5/5)
Nathan COLLINS (8/10)

Bayley MCKENNA (3/3)

Match Preview | England and Australia meet in second wheelchair world cup semi final

Reigning world champions England will be looking to book their place in another 2026 IRL Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup final when they take on host nation Australia at the WIN Entertainment Centre on Tuesday.

England head into the semi-final having enjoyed a perfect group-stage campaign, winning all three of their opening fixtures to finish top of their group. Australia, meanwhile, secured their place in the last four after winning two of their three group matches to finish second.

The two sides will contest the second semi-final of the day in Wollongong, following the earlier clash between France and Ireland, with a place in the World Cup final at stake.

England (squad): Joe COYD, Robert HAWKINS, Tristan NORFOLK, Lewis KING, Mason BILLINGTON, Nathan COLLINS, Chris HAYNES, Jack BROWN, Fin O'NEIL, Luis DOMINGOS

Australia (squad): Adam TANNOCK, Bayley MCKENNA, Daniel ANSTEY, Cory CANNANE, Zac SCHUMACHER, Diab KARIM, Toby POPPLE, Peter ARBUCKLE, Liam LUFF

9 November 2026
1 Joe COYD
Starting Player
Adam TANNOCK 1
2 Robert HAWKINS
Starting Player
Bayley MCKENNA 2
3 Tristan NORFOLK
Starting Player
Daniel ANSTEY 3
4 Lewis KING
Starting Player
Cory CANNANE 4
5 Mason BILLINGTON
Starting Player
Zac SCHUMACHER 5
6 Nathan COLLINS
Int1
Peter ARBUCKLE 6
7 Chris HAYNES
Int2
Liam LUFF 7
8 Jack BROWN
Int3
Diab KARIM 8
9 Fin O'NEIL
Reserve
Toby POPPLE 9

England produced a sensational attacking display to sweep aside Australia 86-18 and secure their place in the 2026 Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup final.

England made a blistering start to the semi-final, establishing a commanding lead through a ruthless attacking performance that left the hosts struggling to contain them.

Mason Billington opened the scoring before Rob Hawkins and Joe Coyd added further tries to put England firmly in control. Australia eventually responded through Diab Karim, but England continued to dominate, with Billington completing a first-half hat-trick.

England headed into the interval with an impressive 40-6 advantage.

There was no let-up after the restart, as England continued to find gaps in the Australian defence. Jack Brown made an immediate impact from the interchange, crossing twice in quick succession, while Nathan Collins also got on the scoresheet.

Hawkins proved particularly influential throughout, finishing with five tries in an outstanding individual performance. Chris Haynes and captain Lewis King also added their names to the scoresheet as England powered towards the 86-point mark.

Australia battled on and managed further tries through Karim and Daniel Anstey, but they had no answer to England's attacking quality and intensity.

Billington's hat-trick and Hawkins' five-try haul highlighted England's clinical finishing, while the overall team performance demonstrated the depth and quality within the squad.

The 86-18 victory sends England into the World Cup final, where they will face France with the opportunity to retain their world title.

After such a dominant semi-final display, England will head into the showpiece occasion full of confidence as they look to finish the tournament in style.

10 November 2026