It was a close call 58-54 but the US team were victorious over the Australian Steelers in the Tri-Nations event. The Be The Influence Wheelchair Rugby Tri-Nations championships was held recently in Sydney. With St Mary’s Cathedral as a backdrop and a 2000 plus crowd, the final match was described by coaches from both teams as a “terrific tournament.”
The tri-nation event between Australia, the USA and New Zealand, was a world first for an international wheelchair rugby tournament played outdoors, under lights and on a purpose-built court.
Australian powerhouse player Ryley Batt, was named the ‘the most valuable player’ and contributed 40 goals in the final round between the world’s two best teams.
Coach Brad Dubberley said the four goal defeat for the Australians was hard to swallow. “The US deserved the win and it was our own unforced errors that cost us the game,” he said.
Earlier the local team progressed to the gold medal match with a 62-45 victory over New Zealand.