England reaches wheelchair World Cup semis with 134-0 win

England booked a Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup semi-final place by beating the USA 134-0 in its second group match. Eight players supplied 23 tries, while Finlay O’Neill earned the player-of-the-match award with two tries and 15 successful conversions. England next faces Ireland on 6 November, having already secured qualification.

Sports·November 3, 2026·Evening

November 8, 2026 · 02:25 UTC

Qualification secured before the final group game

England has reached the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup semi-finals after beating the USA 134-0 in its second group match. The result followed an opening victory against Wales and secured qualification before the remaining group fixture against Ireland.^{[1], [2]}

The team rested Rob Hawkins, who had scored 11 tries in the opener. Eight players in its 10-person squad nevertheless scored against the Americans, producing 23 tries altogether. A try is scored by grounding the ball in the opposition’s scoring area. England kept the USA scoreless for the entire match.^[1]

Norfolk starts the scoring within a minute

Tristan Norfolk scored after just 33 seconds and crossed again in the 20th minute, when the posts came down during his finish. England had registered 10 tries by half-time to lead 58-0. It added another 13 after the interval to complete the victory.^[1]

O’Neill takes the award before the Ireland fixture

Finlay O’Neill earned the player-of-the-match award with two tries and 15 successful conversion kicks from 16 attempts. He praised the team’s contribution and said he had carried out coach Tom Coyd’s instructions. England faces Ireland on 6 November. That meeting will put several Halifax Panthers club colleagues on opposing teams and could see Jack Brown play against his brother.^[1]

Qualification secured before the final group game

Norfolk starts the scoring within a minute

O’Neill takes the award before the Ireland fixture

References

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