WRWC day one recap: Fierce competition electrifies Adelaide

Day one of the 2025 Santos Wheelchair Rugby World Challenge began with a bang, marking the first time the Australian Steelers have played on home soil since 2018!

Our Officeworks School Program welcomed hundreds of students to Netball SA to cheer on the Steelers, chanting ‘Aussie, Aussie, Aussie! Oi, Oi, Oi!’ with passion and pride in front of our Australian athletes who ended the day undefeated. This was a fitting welcome for our newest Steelers: Tai Martin-Page, Lilliana Prucha, Conor Tweedy and Damien Mortaud.

With action and excitement across the whole day as Court 1 and Court 2 both saw a good workout, each team was keen to make their mark and start the 4 days of competition strong.

Read on for match scores across the World Challenge and National Championship Division 1 fixtures. All photos by Joep Buijs Photography.

World Challenge results

  • Australia 62 vs Germany 58

  • Netherlands 49 vs New Zealand 45

  • Brazil 58 vs Canada 53

  • Germany 53 vs New Zealand 51

  • Brazil 48 vs Netherlands 52

  • Australia 61 vs Canada 54

National Championship Division 1 results

  • Suncorp Queensland Cyclones 47 vs Western Australia Enforcers 43

  • Chungnam 47 vs Victoria Protect Thunder 58

  • New South Wales 60 vs Western Australia Enforcers 50

  • Suncorp Queensland Cyclones 51 vs Victoria Protect Thunder 48

Tomorrow is another big day with our National Championship Division 2 fixtures joining Division 1 and the international tournament – you don’t want to miss this!

It’s not too late to get tickets for Friday and the weekend, but hurry, they’re selling fast! Grab yours now: https://www.universe.com/events/2025-santos-wheelchair-rugby-world-challenge-tickets-2G4JTD

Not in Adelaide? Find out how you can watch the games from home.

Sponsors

The 2025 Santos Wheelchair Rugby World Challenge would not be possible without our partners and sponsors. Thank you for your support in growing wheelchair rugby across Australia: 

  • Naming Rights Sponsor: Santos 

  • Broadcast Partner: Kayo Sports and Foxtel 

  • Destination Partner: South Australian Tourism Commission 

  • Major Sponsors: Lite n’ Easy, Officeworks, Plan Partners, Degnan, Charter Care Services 

  • Partners: Village Gate, The Rugby Club Foundation, Suncorp, SG Fleet, ISPS Handa, Posca Hydrate, Kindly Healthcare and PhysioXtra Rehab Centre. 

Emily NewtonComment