Steelers fall by one in thrilling final against Japan, qualification secured for 2026 World Championship
AUSTRALIA vs Japan
Day Five – 2025 Asia-Oceania Championship, Bangkok, Thailand
Photo credit: Albin John and Wheelchair Rugby Australia
Australia closed out the 2025 Asia-Oceania Championship in a nail-biting contest, falling to Japan 53–52 in a match decided in the final second.
Despite the narrow loss, the Steelers finish the tournament having secured direct qualification to the 2026 Wheelchair Rugby World Championship.
Australia opened the match strongly, scoring the first try before an early collision sent Australian Captain Chris Bond to the floor—an indication of the intensity that would define all four quarters between these two powerhouses.
The match also marked the return of Ryley Batt to competitive wheelchair rugby, who comes back to his rugby chair with limited minutes after 14 months away, providing valuable leadership and opportunities for Australia’s rotating line-ups.
Momentum swung repeatedly throughout the first half, with one of Australia’s standout moments arriving on the buzzer of the second quarter when Cooper Blackwood executed a backwards try, giving the Steelers a 26–24 edge at halftime. Japan responded with force in the third term, matching Australia try for try until scores levelled at 39–39.
The final quarter delivered the drama expected from the long-running rivalry. With the scores locked and only 18 seconds left on the clock, Japan executed a precise offensive manoeuvre, finishing with a backwards try of their own with 0.6 seconds remaining to seal the match in their favour 53 to 52.
Despite the result, Australian Steeler Andrew Edmondson said the team leaves Thailand with clarity and confidence.
"The last cycle to get to the Paralympics, we had to go a different route, which was the first time in a long time [doing that]," he said.
"To know that our spot's secured for next year, it's just full steam ahead. We’re looking to go back-to-back and win that World Championship.”
He added that messages from home fuelled the team’s performance through this tournament: “We know back home everyone’s watching, our family, our friends, and that gives us so much inspiration.”
Reflecting on the one-point margin, Batt said that while the loss stings, there was significant strength in the Steelers' performance in the final.
“Japan got it over us, but we got everyone on the court and ran newer players in big moments, and that’s a big win for us heading into Worlds,” he said.
"We’ve got so much young blood coming through and players that are just boosting all of us up.
"We've got our young Brayden Foxley-Conolly here, we call him Red, he's a young 21-year-old with a lot of adrenaline and energy and I think the future of the sport is going to be safe with him. He's improving in leaps and bounds and actually he's making myself and Bondy, who are the most capped players for Australia, fight for our spot against him. So that's very good.
"We've got some other players like Andrew Edmondson and Josh Nicholson who have been around for a while, but they're amping up their game. It's really good to see.”
Looking ahead, Batt remains focused: “I want to enjoy my wheelchair rugby and take it one tournament at a time. I think this team can defend our World Championship title next year.”
With qualification secured, the silver medal won and valuable lessons banked from the 2025 Asia-Oceania Championship, the Steelers now turn their attention to defending their World Championship title at Brazil in 2026.
Final score: Japan 53 defeat Australia 52
Revisit our day one, two, three and four match summaries.
Photos and vision available upon request. For more information and media enquiries, please contact:
Emily Newton
Manager – Media & Marketing
emily@wheelchairrugby.com.au