Wheel Blacks
The Wheel Blacks are the national wheelchair rugby team of New Zealand. The team won the gold medal at the 2004 Summer Paralympics.[1] The 2006 Wheel Blacks were captained by Tim Johnson and coached by Grant Sharman.[2] The Wheel Blacks name is one of many national team nicknames related to the All Blacks.
New Zealand | |||
---|---|---|---|
IWRF Ranking | 9th | ||
IWRF Zone | IWRF Asia-Oceania | ||
National Federation | New Zealand Wheelchair Rugby Association | ||
Coach | |||
Paralympic Games | |||
Appearances | 4 | ||
Medals | |||
World Championships | |||
Appearances | 7 | ||
Medals | |||
IWRF Asia-Oceania Championship | |||
Appearances | 10 | ||
Medals | |||
Uniforms | |||
|
Johnson captained the Wheel Blacks at the 2008 Summer Paralympics in Beijing, although the team finished third in their group, salvaging fifth overall in the consolation matches.[3]
2013 Tri-Nations
The Wheel Blacks placed third in the 2013 Be the Influence Wheelchair Rugby Tri-Nations tournament.[4]
The tournament team consisted of: Cameron Leslie, Phil Spring, Adam Wakeford, Sholto Taylor, Rob Hewitt, Chris Lay, Gavin Rolton, Clayton Utia, Dan Buckingham, Barney Konerferisi and Peter Martin (coach).[5]
Current squad
The Wheel Blacks qualified for the 2020 Paralympic Games in Japan by winning the bronze medal at the 2019 IWRF Asia-Oceania Championship in South Korea.[6] The team consisted of.[7]
Player | Classification |
---|---|
Gavin Rolton | 0.5 |
Cody Everson | 1 |
Gareth Lynch | 1 |
Mike Todd | 2 |
Rob Hewitt | 2 |
Tainafi Lefono | 2 |
Maia Marshall-Amai | 2.5 |
Cameron Leslie | 3 |
Hayden Barton-Coates | 3 |
Tyler Jennings | 3 |
References
- "Paralympians aim for Medals in Beijing", NZ Live, July 16, 2008
- Interview with Grant Sharman by Brent Ward, rugbyfoundation.com, October 24, 2007
- "New Zealand to send a 30-strong team to Beijing Paralympic Games", Xinhua, May 7, 2008
- "USA crowned Tri-Nations champions".
- "Tri-Nations 2013 Team". Wheel Blacks.
- "Wheel Blacks get bronze and qualify for 2020 Paralympics". Stuff.co.nz. 9 September 2019. Retrieved 22 September 2019.
- "Wheelchair rugby teams go for podium at Asia-Oceania Championship". paralympic.org. International Paralympic Committee. 4 September 2019. Retrieved 22 September 2019.