France 24 – 28 England

Skipper Tom Halliwell’s try in the 78th minute sees England win the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup for the first time since 2008; Halliwell was named a sportsman

England captain Tom Halliwell will lift the World Cup after defeating France in the final

Tom Halliwell’s try two minutes later saw England lift the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup with a 28-24 win over reigning champions France in the final.

Just two points separated the teams at half-time in Manchester Central, with France holding a narrow 14-12 advantage thanks to converted tries from Lionel Alazard, who added a penalty, and Mostefa Abassi.

England held on at the break though thanks to Halliwell scoring under the posts and substitute Jack Brown crossing on the stroke of half-time, with Robert Hawkins and Nathan Collins also converting.

It was chaos after the break, with Lewis King and Brown going for the hosts, Gilles Clausells answering for France, and Nico Clausells and Collins exchanging penalties. But it was Halliwell who had the final say, with captain and midfielder Halliwell coming through late on to bring the Wheelchair World Cup to shore for the first time since 2008.

A sports story

This was the third successive World Cup final the two leading rugby league nations have met, although previously it was France who narrowly won by two and four points respectively.

Although the hosts won 62-48 when the teams met in the middle of the international year in June, the tournament showed every sign of fighting like the finals of 2013 and 2017, which was shown by Alazard to start the push. original punishment.

After dropping the goal, Alazard grabbed the first try of the night in the 10th minute after finding space and weaving his way through the England defense to finish off a converted goal by Nico Clausells.

Joe Coyd’s kicking game caused all kinds of problems for France, and one of those led to a knock-on followed by a penalty, allowing England to set up a threat which was completed when Halliwell went through the defense to finish on 10 minutes. .

Jack Brown made a big impact on the England bench

France restored their eight-point advantage in the 29th minute when, following strong defending on their tryline from England, Bourson dived for Abassi to cross to the right for another goal.

Former Golden Boot winner Brown sparked England’s threats when he came on and just after trying to clear the line, cut in behind the hosts in the 38th minute to equalise.

Then within two minutes of the second half, England hit the front when they punished a free-kick and knock-on from France that left space, moving the ball to the left for King to block his way in for an unconverted try.

Tom Halliwell’s trials won England the final wheelchair race

Collins and Coyd then scored tries, but England were able to extend their lead in the 53rd minute when Brown again showed an edge from the bench to find the difference and cross for his second try of the night.

France weren’t done yet and hit back from the penalty spot, Gilles Clausells crossing and Nico Clausells converting, followed by a further goal to pull the reigning champions level with 16 minutes remaining.

However, Seb Bechara’s haul shortly after the restart gave Collins the chance to put England back in front, but Nico Clausells stepped up again and scored his second penalty to settle the nerves with eight minutes to go.

But captain Halliwell appeared in the 78th minute and although there was a moment of verbal communication between the officials, the try was scored and ensured that the host nation sealed the glory in front of the wheelchair. a group of 4,526 people.