Superb attacking raids by Joe Coyd and Jack Brown helped England to their third World Cup trophy with a 50-38 win over France in an action-packed final at WIN Entertainment Centre.
Coyd and Brown scored seven times between them in England’s nine-to-seven try victory that ensures England’s name is engraved on the IRL Cup again after 2008 and 2022.
The other two tries were scored for England by newly crowned Golden Boot winner, Robert Hawkins.
“It’s unbelievable – I can’t believe it – I’m so proud of the boys,” centre Mason Billington said.
“I never in my wildest dreams imagined this could happen.”
In the earlier match to decide third and fourth placings, Australia overpowered Ireland 70-24.
In the final scores were locked up three times and the lead changed on four occasions as France and England traded four-pointers.
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Coyd named player of the World Cup Final
In the end it was Coyd and Brown working together that allowed the Empire to score three of the last four tries.
Tonight was a rematch of the last World Cup final, where England snuck home 28-24.
Pre-game NRL referees Ashley Klein, Wyatt Raymond and Belinda Sharpe, alongside Super League referee Tara Jones, presented the four match officials for the wheelchair final with their jerseys.
Hawkins was also presented with his IRL Golden Boot trophy at full-time – the third time he’s taken the honour – before he and his teammates received their winners’ medals.
The IRL world rankings for wheelchair will be published ‘officially’ once the last international match is held for 2026 – the Philippines v Japan in late November.
But based on the results in Wollongong this week the rankings will be:
1. England,
2. France
3. Australia
4. Ireland
5. Wales
6. Scotland
7. New Zealand
8. USA
Wheelchair World Cup Final
England 50 bt France 38
England’s first two tries – both to Coyd – were off French mistakes. Firstly a penalty for a late tackle and then a dropped ball.
There’s never been much affection between these two rivals and there were several melees early.
After a penalty went the Tricolours way following a scuffle, Jeremy Bourson crossed in the left corner for France’s first points.
Only four points separated them in the 2022 World Cup final, and it was another close affair four years on.
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Brown’s third may have secured England a World Cup
Scores were locked up 10-all and 22-all during the first half before a late England try to Brown put their noses in front 28-22 at the break.
France’s Dany Denuwelaere scored three tries but the French let themselves down with some poor goal-line defence as fatigue crept into the second half.
Tricolours coach Cyril Torres said England “proved how good you are again”.
“We tried and we have worked hard so I am still very proud,” he said.
3rd v 4th Play-off
Australia 70 def Ireland 24
Australia enjoyed the start against Ireland that they had wanted in the England semi-final by racing to three quick tries in the opening 10 minutes.
By half-time Diab Karim and Toby Popple had doubles giving the Wheelaroos a 40-4 lead.
Early in the second, captain Bayley McKenna’s third try assist brought up Daniel Anstey’s hat-trick and propelled Australia to the 50-point mark.
But then came a resurgence from the Wolfhounds with three tries to Oran Spain, Joseph Calcott and Jack Mangan midway through the half.
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Anstey named player of the match against Ireland
A fourth to Peter Johnston Jnr seemed to snap the Australians back into life and the Wheelaroos rattled off three to finish – two to McKenna to take his personal points haul to 26 (three tries, seven conversions).
Player of the Match went to Anstey for his three tries.
Australia exited the 2022 World Cup in the semi-finals as well but McKenna said the Wheelaroos were a better team than four years ago.
”One hundred per cent we’re in a better spot than 2022 but the rest of the world has also gone up a few notches,” he told NRL.com.
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McKenna kicks ahead for Anstey’s third
“Obviously we wanted to be playing in the final and that’ll be the goal next time.
“But we need to keep a core group of five to six players together for 2030 so we can regroup, review and rebuild.
“We lose Peter Arbuckle tonight as he’s played his last World Cup – he’s a stellar player and one that I’ve looked up to. But we’ve also got to bring in some new blood to keep the Wheelaroos moving forward.”
New Zealand 30 bt USA 26, Thursday November 12, 11.00am AEDT
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We’ve got a game on our hands!
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New Zealand v USA – Placing Final, 2026
Wales 52 bt Scotland 30, Thursday November 12, 1.30pm AEDT
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Scotland thread the needle
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Wales v Scotland – Pool A Placing Play-off, 2026