The New Zealand national wheelchair rugby league team represents New Zealand in wheelchair rugby league.
History When the first Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup was held in Australia in 2008, it was planned that New Zealand would take part, but the team withdrew shortly before the start of the tournament. They were replaced by a scratch team, the Pacific Island Barbarians, which included former New Zealand international Tawera Nikau.
As one of the top three rugby league nations in the running game, the absence of a wheelchair team representing New Zealand at the 2021 World Cup was notable and led to a number of groups, including the New Zealand Warriors Community Foundation, New Zealand Rugby League and Disability Sport Auckland, working towards developing the sport in New Zealand with the aim of participating in the next World Cup. Assistance also came from Australia, with the Australia national team keen to build a strong trans-Tasman rivalry. In November 2024, the New Zealand team played their first international match in a Test series against Australia at the Eventfinda Stadium, Auckland. Jamie Tapp became the first player to score for New Zealand, but Australia won both matches for a 2–0 series victory. In December 2024, New Zealand were included in the World Rankings for the first time. In April 2025, New Zealand invited to compete at the 2026 World Cup as Asia-Pacific representatives. In September, New Zealand were announced as competitors in the inaugural NRL Wheelchair Championship.
Results
DateScoreOpponentCompetitionVenueAttendanceRef.1 November 20244–98Two match series friendlyEventfinda Stadium, Auckland4 November 20248–11031 October 202524–14 Queensland Reserves2025 NRL Wheelchair ChampionshipGold Coast Sports and Leisure Centre, Gold Coast31 October 202510–24 Queensland1 November 20250–18 New South Wales1 November 202518–22 Australian Capital Territory1 November 202550–6 Victoria2 November 202536–6 Affiliated States10 July 20266–38 New South Wales2026 NRL Wheelchair ChampionshipGold Coast Sports and Leisure Centre, Gold Coasthttps://www.nrlwheelchair.com.au/opening-day-sets-the-tone-at-the-2026-lca-nrl-wheelchair-championship/#more-4800https://www.nrlwheelchair.com.au/nsw-undefeated-after-two-days-of-competition/#more-4809https://www.nrlwheelchair.com.au/nsw-crowned-2026-lca-nrl-wheelchair-championship-winners/#more-482810 July 202612–40 North Queensland11 July 202628–0 Affiliated States11 July 202644–0 Victoria10 July 20266–16 Australian Capital Territory10 July 202614–24 Queensland
Upcoming fixtures 2026 World Cup – 30 October–13 November, WIN Entertainment Centre, Wollongong
Knockout stage
Records and statistics
Notes
References
External links Wheel Kiwis, New Zealand Rugby League