WRWC day four recap: 2025 Santos Wheelchair Rugby World Challenge in Adelaide comes to a thrilling end

Australia has capped off a fierce campaign in the 2025 Santos Wheelchair Rugby World Challenge, taking home the silver against the Netherlands.

With fierce determination and clinical execution, the Steelers showed grit throughout the final clash of the tournament, but the Netherlands ultimately took control of the match, securing the 2025 Santos Wheelchair Rugby World Challenge title.

Adelaide turned up the heat providing a crowd charged with adrenaline and anticipation who stayed on the edge of their seats the entire final match. The fourth quarter began with the Netherlands on 47 and Australia on 46 – as they battled neck and neck through the whole game. But in that final quarter, the Netherlands edged ahead to victory, ending the match on 64 against Australia’s 60.

This momentous match was accompanied by another milestone for the Australian Steelers, with athlete Shae Graham reaching 100 games with the team.

In Division 1, the New South Wales Gladiators took home the Gold after defeating the Suncorp Queensland Cyclones, making them back-to-back champions. In Division 2, the Australian Capital Territory Buccaneers defeated the local South Australia Sharks.

Read on for the day’s match scores and all-star teams. All photos by Joep Buijs Photography.

2025 Santos Wheelchair Rugby World Challenge Finals Day results

  • Junior Green 16 vs Junior Gold 16

  • South Australia Sharks 37 vs Australian Capital Buccaneers 45

  • Victoria Protect Thunder 71 vs Western Australia Enforcers 46

  • New South Wales Gladiators 57 vs Suncorp Queensland Cyclones 47

  • New Zealand 42 vs Germany 53

  • Canada 48 vs Brazil 60

  • Australia 60 vs Netherlands 64

World Challenge all-star team award winners

  • MVP: Chris Bond

  • Best High Pointer: Davy van den Dop

  • Best Mid Pointer: Hector Loma

  • Best Low Pointer: James McQuillan

  • Best Coach: Martin van Hinte

National Championship Division 1 all-star team award winners

  • MVP: Stuart Robinson

  • Best High Pointer: Shinichi Shimakawa

  • Best Mid Pointer: Cam Whittaker

  • Best Low Pointer: Mick Ozanne

  • Best Coach: Choi Jaewoong

National Championship Division 2 all-star team award winners

  • MVP: Michael Barry

  • Best High Pointer: Rhiannon Bellette

  • Best Mid Pointer: Shane Brand

  • Best Low Pointer: Gordon Broome

  • Best Coach: David Wood

Quentin Fleischfresser Spirit of the Game award

  • Shane Brand

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. 

Media Release, EventsEmily NewtonWorld ChallengeComment