Pressure pays off as Steelers storm past New Zealand
The Australian Steelers have continued their strong start to the 2026 World Championship, overcoming New Zealand 62 to 31 on day two of competition in São Paulo.
The match opened with a powerful ceremonial Haka from New Zealand before the Steelers took control early, with Ryley Batt scoring Australia’s opening try.
Australia applied relentless pressure from the outset, repeatedly forcing New Zealand deep into their back court and making it difficult for their opponents to build attacking momentum. The Steelers’ pressure proved effective throughout the opening quarter, with Australia taking a 16 to 7 lead into the first break.
The Steelers continued to build their advantage through the second quarter, combining attacking efficiency with a committed defensive effort to extend the margin to 31 to 14 at half-time.
Shae Graham was particularly influential defensively, producing a series of strong plays through the middle of the second quarter to disrupt New Zealand’s attack and help Australia maintain control of the contest.
Graham shared despite the competition, New Zealand are always a team she wants to celebrate with.
“I find it I find myself weirdly cheering a little bit for both teams mainly because we're so close to the guys but yeah, we kind of got to forget that we're friends and just get out there and be ruthless and win,” she said.
“I think it's comforting to like see people that you know when you get over here. Advantages and disadvantages of it are that we know how each other plays, so we can take advantage of those things.”
Australia continued to turn the pressure into points after half-time, extending their lead to 47 to 23 at three-quarter time before closing out the match with a score double our opponents, ending on 62 to 31.
Ella Sabljak was named Player of the Match after another strong all-court performance, playing a key role as the Steelers maintained control of the contest. She absorbed a big hit from New Zealand’s Hayden Barton-Cootes in the final quarter but remained composed as Australia closed out the victory.
“Quite unexpected. Yeah, I had no idea. I thought Shae deserved it, she had a monster of a game,” Sabljak said on receiving Player of the Match.
Watching proudly from the stands was Sabljak’s young daughter, Billie, who was there to see her mum take to the court for the Steelers.
“It’s so nice. I love looking up at the stands and just seeing her there,” Sabljak said.
“Obviously, she's got no idea what's going on. But yeah, it's super special to be here.”
This competition marks Ella’s return to the Steelers for an international tournament since maternity leave, and so far she is loving it.
“I missed competing when I was out. I didn't miss all the daily training. But I missed, you know, being around the team and playing. So I'm very, very happy to be back.
“We're all so skilled and we're also drilled in what we know what we can do, so coming in and it feels we're playing free, we're playing with the same purpose.”
With two wins from their opening two matches, Australia now turns its attention to a busy finish to the pool stage. The Steelers will face hosts Brazil in a Wednesday evening match next, before returning to the court for a double-header on Thursday against the United States and Denmark to complete their pool games.
The focus now shifts to recovery and preparation, with three important matches to come in a short window as the Steelers continue their World Championship title defence.
📅 Next game against Brazil: Wednesday, 19 August 7:30pm BRT / Thursday, 20 August 8:30am AEST
📺 Watch live: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYHEYOIRc7Eg&si=jCWr9reDUSlYU-8h
Let's go, Steelers. 🇦🇺
For more information, or access to imagery and interviews, contact:
Emily Newton (Manager – Media & Marketing)
emily@wheelchairrugby.com.au