Wheelchair Internationals

[RigbyLuger]

1 hour ago, Futtocks said:

Some reactions from social media. Unfortunately, there wasn't a single hashtag that everyone got behind and quoted, but still, a sample for your pleasure. 

And people say wheelchair rugby aka murderball is violent, we have the protection of the chairs.

And they actually play rugby in our wheelchair version, as opposed to the other one which just has the word attached 

[Futtocks]

18 minutes ago, RigbyLuger said:

And they actually play rugby in our wheelchair version, as opposed to the other one which just has the word attached 

That's the main attraction for me. It is Rugby - that happens to be played on wheels.

[The Hallucinating Goose]

Can't see a match report or any article about the game on bbc despite it being an international sporting event that they showed. 

(just a bit of moaning for Futtocks there ) 

[Man of Kent]

Aside from the intense, good quality rugby played, I thought the presentation was very good. Felt like an event IYSWIM.

Looking forward to going along on Saturday. 

[Gerrumonside ref]

Match report here for those who missed the game:

https://rugby-league.com/article/36255/match-report-england-24-49-france

Its interesting to me the wide and national geographic spread of existing domestic clubs.  Although I imagine the cost of the specialist equipment is expensive, I can see no reason why this sport can’t grow and everywhere, with the right support and backing.
 

 

[Damien]

1 hour ago, Gerrumonside ref said:

Match report here for those who missed the game:

https://rugby-league.com/article/36255/match-report-england-24-49-france

Its interesting to me the wide and national geographic spread of existing domestic clubs.  Although I imagine the cost of the specialist equipment is expensive, I can see no reason why this sport can’t grow and everywhere, with the right support and backing.
 

 

Indeed and I like it to the women's game in that regard. Both don't carry the same baggage as the men's game and don't face the same barriers. Wheelchair RL especially is a really good game to watch and I can imagine it appealing to many, both from a playing and spectating point of view. Lets face it for a broadcaster too it must be very cheap and easy to show compared to a traditional RL match.

[Gerrumonside ref]

32 minutes ago, Damien said:

Indeed and I like it to the women's game in that regard. Both don't carry the same baggage as the men's game and don't face the same barriers. Wheelchair RL especially is a really good game to watch and I can imagine it appealing to many, both from a playing and spectating point of view. Lets face it for a broadcaster too it must be very cheap and easy to show compared to a traditional RL match.

It is a great made for TV product.  I hope it can get the coverage it deserves.

Timing is a big thing in life and Wheelchair Rugby League could be a great option for the big broadcasters struggling to afford live sports rights.

The great thing is that the most immediate aspect, the big hits, is complimented by great skill and athleticism.  Some of the moves for the tries were simply sensational.

[The Hallucinating Goose]

3 hours ago, Gerrumonside ref said:

Match report here for those who missed the game:

https://rugby-league.com/article/36255/match-report-england-24-49-france

Its interesting to me the wide and national geographic spread of existing domestic clubs.  Although I imagine the cost of the specialist equipment is expensive, I can see no reason why this sport can’t grow and everywhere, with the right support and backing.
 

 

They mentioned in the broadcast last night that the chairs cost £10,000 each. 

[Niels]

31 minutes ago, Gerrumonside ref said:

It is a great made for TV product.  I hope it can get the coverage it deserves.

Timing is a big thing in life and Wheelchair Rugby League could be a great option for the big broadcasters struggling to afford live sports rights.

The great thing is that the most immediate aspect, the big hits, is complimented by great skill and athleticism.  Some of the moves for the tries were simply sensational.

I used to watch Leeds wheelchair team live at the sports centre. I used to want the other team to win though lol. This was before it became popular.

As you say, there are some great moves.

At first I didn't realise people without disabilities could play also. Also the location of the teams was more widespread. Medway had a very good side.

For me watching live is better than tv as hearing the chairs collide and the physicality is a real part of the enjoyment. 

Edited November 11, 2021 by Niels

[Futtocks]

The full match is available on the iPlayer, but if you're in a hurry.

 

[gogledd]

On 09/11/2021 at 20:44, Man of Kent said:

Good to see England have picked a woman in their squad

Wales played their last international with two women in the squad and have had at least one woman in the squad since before the World Cup 2017. Its not unusual in Club and International Wheelchair RL.

[Man of Kent]

12 minutes ago, gogledd said:

Wales played their last international with two women in the squad and have had at least one woman in the squad since before the World Cup 2017. Its not unusual in Club and International Wheelchair RL.

Indeed and I like that. It’s like touch - very inclusive, open to all pretty much regardless of gender and age. 

[gogledd]

20 hours ago, RigbyLuger said:

And they actually play rugby in our wheelchair version, as opposed to the other one which just has the word attached 

There are three variations of the wheelchair game:

1. Murderball, rebranded as Wheelchair Rugby for the Olympics - played with a round ball, passes can be forwards, no H-shaped posts - looks like a cross between Americal football and handball. All athletes have categorised disabilities

2. Wheelchair 7s - the union version, not as popular as

3. Wheelchair Rugby League - 5 a side, 6 tackles or handover, 4 points a try 2 a conversion 1 for a drop goal (probably the hardest thing to do in a wheelchair!!) H-shaped posts, pass backwards - Rugby League in wheelchairs! Able bodied are able to play with disabled athletes (ratio of 2 AB to 3 disabled at any time - but most players have some disability, many are not visible disabilities)

[gogledd]

2 minutes ago, Man of Kent said:

Indeed and I like that. It’s like touch - very inclusive, open to all pretty much regardless of gender and age. 

One of the Wales players played at the age of 64!

 

[Man of Kent]

Just now, gogledd said:

One of the Wales players played at the age of 64!

 

Well there you go!

[gogledd]

Fantastic to read through this thread as see the enthusiasm for Wheelchair Rugby League. Tell your mates and get more eyes on the game.

Thanks for taking the time to post

[unapologetic pedant]

5 hours ago, gogledd said:

There are three variations of the wheelchair game:

Call me pedantic if you like, but I don`t like the phrase "variations of the wheelchair game". I have a horrible feeling that as Wheelchair RL becomes more popular it will be rebranded as "Wheelchair Rugby". And that some of the possible benefits that could accrue to RL will somehow gravitate to a rival sport. As happened with Touch and Tag.

Just as with Touch and Tag, Wheelchair RL is only viable and good to watch because it replicates or adapts the basic features of League (PTB, distinct completed plays, limited possession, offside line). What is the wheelchair equivalent of a RU ruck or maul?

Rather than class it as one of a number of variations, let`s ignore everything else and only ever name it as the one and only Wheelchair Rugby LEAGUE.

[Futtocks]

9 hours ago, unapologetic pedant said:

Call me pedantic if you like, but I don`t like the phrase "variations of the wheelchair game". I have a horrible feeling that as Wheelchair RL becomes more popular it will be rebranded as "Wheelchair Rugby". And that some of the possible benefits that could accrue to RL will somehow gravitate to a rival sport. As happened with Touch and Tag.

Just as with Touch and Tag, Wheelchair RL is only viable and good to watch because it replicates or adapts the basic features of League (PTB, distinct completed plays, limited possession, offside line). What is the wheelchair equivalent of a RU ruck or maul?

Rather than class it as one of a number of variations, let`s ignore everything else and only ever name it as the one and only Wheelchair Rugby LEAGUE.

"Wheelchair Rugby" is a different sport, played in the Paralympics. It isn't much like Rugby of either code.

Rebranding Wheelchair RL to that would not be permitted.

Edited November 12, 2021 by Futtocks

[unapologetic pedant]

1 hour ago, Futtocks said:

"Wheelchair Rugby" is a different sport, played in the Paralympics. It isn't much like Rugby of either code.

Rebranding Wheelchair RL to that would not be permitted.

I maybe shouldn`t have written "rebranded". I wasn`t meaning an official name change. I`m only admonishing the sort of colloquial reference to "Rugby" that makes a majority in the UK, and most of the rest of the world, think of Rugby Union. The more perspicacious might previously have detected a hint of confusion over the word "Rugby", which generally militates against recognition of RL.

Newcastle Thunder tweeted something about their "Wheelchair Rugby squad" this week. They mean Wheelchair Rugby League. So why don`t they say that?

And I`ve looked online for traces of Wheelchair RL in Norway, given that they are due to be one of the participating nations at next year`s WC. Virtually all the info that appears is related to the "Murderball" nonsense you`re alluding to. The language needs to be precise.

[Man of Kent]

https://twitter.com/England_RL/status/1459109584656809984?s=20

England Rugby League

 

@England_RL

 

#EnglandRL and

@FFRXIII

will pay tribute to two of the key figures in the instigation and development of Wheelchair Rugby League when they contest the Fassolette-Kielty Trophy in Saturday’s second Test at Medway... Read https://bit.ly/3kvm5qt

Edited November 12, 2021 by Man of Kent

[gogledd]

On 12/11/2021 at 00:49, unapologetic pedant said:

Call me pedantic if you like, but I don`t like the phrase "variations of the wheelchair game". I have a horrible feeling that as Wheelchair RL becomes more popular it will be rebranded as "Wheelchair Rugby". And that some of the possible benefits that could accrue to RL will somehow gravitate to a rival sport. As happened with Touch and Tag.

Just as with Touch and Tag, Wheelchair RL is only viable and good to watch because it replicates or adapts the basic features of League (PTB, distinct completed plays, limited possession, offside line). What is the wheelchair equivalent of a RU ruck or maul?

Rather than class it as one of a number of variations, let`s ignore everything else and only ever name it as the one and only Wheelchair Rugby LEAGUE.

I don't disagree - I was just trying to inform people about the differences. Wheelchair Rugby League is the real deal as far as I'm concerned.

[gogledd]

On 12/11/2021 at 11:47, unapologetic pedant said:

 

And I`ve looked online for traces of Wheelchair RL in Norway, given that they are due to be one of the participating nations at next year`s WC. Virtually all the info that appears is related to the "Murderball" nonsense you`re alluding to. The language needs to be precise.

Norway Wheelchair RL are very much in the formation period and I expect some of their players will come from Murderball and perhaps Wheelchair Basketball. I don't think they've trained or played together yet.

[Futtocks]

There was an England Knight v France Espoirs match yesterday. For those of you who, like me, completely missed it...

 

[Man of Kent]

Refs before the Test here at Medway Park. 

Edited November 13, 2021 by Man of Kent

[The Hallucinating Goose]

14 minutes ago, Man of Kent said:

Refs before the Test here at Medway Park. 

Enjoy yourself Man of Kent, wish I could be there!