England beat France to win Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup
England secured a 50-38 victory over France in the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup final on Friday in Wollongong, defending the trophy they won in Manchester four years ago.
The win makes England the first nation to claim the tournament’s title three times. BBC Sport reported that the squad utilized visual aids, including a gold-spray-painted ladder in team meetings and discussions comparing themselves to sharks and lifeguards, to maintain an aggressive tactical approach throughout the tournament.
Coach Tom Coyd avoided using the word ‘defend’ since his team lifted the trophy in November 2022, opting instead for an attacking framework. England amassed 386 points across the group stage and semi-finals while conceding 68.
“I think your reality is the story that you tell yourself,” Coyd told BBC Sport. “And the narrative that we felt might be upon us coming in was that we are here to defend and we are here to retain.”
“We found that framing to be defensive, to be a bit passive – and knowing that we’ve been world number one since November 2022, we wanted to come in with an attacking mindset and with a hunter’s mindset,” Coyd added.
In the final held roughly 70 miles south of Sydney, where the inaugural competition took place in 2008, England overcame a 22-10 deficit against Cyril Torres’ French side.
“I think the way they executed tonight was just outstanding,” Coyd said. “I don’t think France have moved backwards. If anything, they looked hungrier than I’ve ever seen them.”
“But the rate of which these 10 lads have moved on just blew my mind. I’m so proud of them,” Coyd told BBC Sport.
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