New Zealand’s Wheel Kiwis suffered a 120–10 defeat to France in their second match of the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup in Wollongong.
The result showed the scale of the challenge facing the tournament newcomers, but Kauri Murray and Nikia Fa’atau both crossed for New Zealand.
Murray scored in the 45th minute, with Fa’atau adding another try 13 minutes later. France’s Jeremy Bouson finished with six tries and the player-of-the-match award.
Speaking to NRL.com, Fa’atau described the team’s purpose as representing families at home and creating opportunities for future players.
That gives the result a longer-term context without taking away from the scoreline. New Zealand are experiencing their first World Cup and measuring themselves against established international opposition.
For supporters, both parts of the story matter: the gap exposed by France and the players’ determination to build something beyond this tournament.
The match was played at WIN Entertainment Centre on Tuesday 3 November.
