Everything that went 'down under' at the Wheelchair Rugby Ashes Series 2025
- Roberta Collyer
- Nov 4, 2025
- 3 min read
The Wheelchair Rugby League Ashes is a series of senior international matches between the Australian and England national wheelchair rugby league teams. The inaugural tournament took place back in 2019, which was the first time the England team toured Australia. Initially, the five-match tour was to include a three-game Ashes series and games against Queensland and New South Wales, but by September, it had been revised to a two-match series with a match against North Queensland added to the schedule. England were undefeated on this tour and won the Ashes series 2–0. In December 2024, an England wheelchair tour of Australia was announced for October 2025, with the schedule of the four-match tour (including the two-match Ashes series) confirmed early in May. This year, the two series competition took place in the Gold Coast, and both teams predictably gave it their all while Australia had their chance at redemption – offering a heated and entertaining two matches.
England and France have consistently dominated the wheelchair rugby World Cup since the first competition was held in 2008. However, Australia or the Wheelaroos as they are also known, have been demonstrating constant improvement and have grown to become an exciting rival to the English Team. They will be hosting the World Cup in 2026, and judging from this Ashes Series, it will be one to look forward to.
The initial of the two series competition took place on Thursday, the 30th of October, where England took a 1-0 lead after a late rally and comeback against the Australians. England went on to score five unreciprocated tries late in the game as they fought back to beat Australia with a final score of 56-28. Interestingly, the English squad were trailing 28-26 midway through the second half, so it really could have been either team’s match. However, they accomplished five exceptional tries in the final 23 minutes, which saw an overall clear win. A standout performance came in the form of Halifax Panthers’ Rob Hawkins, who not only scored twice in the final three minutes, ending the game with a hat-trick, but also landed four conversions for England.
The game was gripping from start to finish, as England led 16-0 in the first eight minutes; however, thanks to Dan Anstey and Cory Cannane’s efforts, the Australians crept ahead of the reigning World Cup champions. Back came England, though, as Nathan Collins' pass set up Mason Billington before Test debutant Finlay O'Neill scored, with Seb Bechara and then Hawkins' double concluding the try count.
The second leg of the Series took place on Sunday, the 2nd of November and saw England take the crown 2-0 for the second time on Australian soil. Undoubtedly, the Wheelaroos put up a formidable opposition, but Joe Coyd scored a match-winning try with two minutes remaining, which halted any chances of Australia taking the crown this year. England captain, Lewis King, stated, “The rivalry between England and Australia is unlike any other, and that is what makes the Ashes so special. We have enormous respect for the Wheelaroos but were here with one goal - to bring the Ashes back home.”
Unlike the opening test match, where England shot to a 16-0 lead within ten minutes into play, it was the Wheelaroos who started aggressively, with Dian Karim opening the scoring for Australia inside two minutes. At half-time, the Australians were dominating again, similarly to a few days previously, with a score of 30-18. Unfortunately, this was not too last. At half-time, England coach Tom Coyd brought on Mason Billington, who changed the course of the game in England’s favour.
With Billington’s assistance, Jack Brown began the comeback for England with a stunning second-half performance. Not only did Brown score two tries himself but set up a further two for Lewis King, who took to the pressure phenomenally and came out of the game with a hat-trick at only his second Test as England Captain.
Even after this incredible surge of energy and momentum, the two teams remained level at a tantalising 42-42 thanks to outstanding performances from Zac Shumacher and Dan Anstey pulling the Australians back. However, it was Billington who excelled again, providing a cool final pass which allowed Joe Coyd to score the winning try with two minutes remaining. England remained triumphant again, leaving the second test match with a final score of 48-42.
Despite the disappointing loss, the Wheelaroos have definitely shown growth, advancement and an incredibly strong performance of skill and an appetite to win. This event should be taken as a precursor to what fans can expect as part of the highly anticipated Rugby League World Cup next year.
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