USA Wheelchair to host Wales and Australia in 2024

USA Wheelchair Rugby League will host international fixtures against Wales and Australia early next year in a bid to build on last November's historic World Cup appearance in England.

USA and the Australian Wheelaroos will play three matches in Las Vegas to coincide with the NRL's 2024 season opening double-header at Allegiant Stadium, featuring South Sydney Rabbitiohs against Manly Sea Eagles and Sydney Roosters taking on Brisbane Broncos.  

The series will be played on Wednesday, February 28 and Friday, March 1, preceding the NRL double-header on Saturday, March 2.

Wales will travel to North America in February to meet the USA at Myrtle Beach Sports Center in South Carolina on Friday, February 2 and Saturday, February 3 in what will be the first two Wheelchair Rugby League matches ever played in the Americas.

The two nations met in last year's Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup in England, which was the USA's debut in the sport.

Harry Jones of Wales takes on USA's Matthew Wooloff in the World Cup (Ian Lovell)

Australia and Wales were semi-finalists at the World Cup and are ranked fourth and third respectively behind England and France in the latest IRL World Rankings. USA are eighth.

Martin Meredith, Wheelchair Rugby League Australia Chair, said: “We are thrilled with the invitation to meet the USA on home soil.

"While we did not directly compete in the Rugby League World Cup, the tournament allowed us to get to know each other and collaborate on ways to build the sport globally.

“We are thrilled to be invited to the USA to showcase the Wheelaroos’ unique style of Wheelchair Rugby League.”

The Australian and Wales squads will also attend development clinics and and other game development activities leading up to their international matches.

The Wheelaroos will play a three-match series in Las Vegas (Getty Images)

Wales Wheelchair head coach Alan Caron said: "We're looking to help develop the game in the USA, that's the main thing, making sure both teams come together with co-training programmes, then playing the internationals.

"It's going to be a tour not just about winning the games that we play, but it's all about the development side of the game, making sure that they've got things in place so they can grow the game of Wheelchair Rugby League."

Stephen Jones, the head of Wheelchair Rugby League in Wales said: "Not only will we be playing two tough games against them, we are also looking to help develop their match officials and help out with some joint coaching sessions.

"It also gives us the opportunity to meet up with the players and staff who were at last year's World Cup and renew the friendships we made when we shared a hotel with the USA team in Sheffield."

Jasmine Townsend, the newly appointed USA team manager, who was present for at last year's World Cup, said they players and staff were looking forward to meeting up with the Australian team in Las Vegas.

"We appreciate their willingness to travel so far to help us establish a nationwide Wheelchair Rugby League program," she said. "It should be a great series of matches, and we will likely learn a great deal from such an experienced opponent.”

USA Wheelchair Rugby League head coach Geoff Mason said his team was keen to test themselves against quality opposition on home soil. 

"USA WhRL looks forward to matching ourselves against the internationally third-ranked, Wales Wheelchair RL," Mason said. "As pool opponents in the last Rugby League World Cup, we had a tremendous battle with them and anticipate another memorable clash.

“Australia is one of the leading nations in Wheelchair Rugby League, and we know that we will have a tough three match international series.

"As a developing nation in the game, the USA Wheelchair Rugby League team will have a strong test, but I am confident that we will play hard and gain much experience in playing such a strong opponent.”