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 NZL
IWRF Ranking9th
IWRF ZoneIWRF Asia-Oceania
National FederationNew Zealand Wheelchair Rugby Association
Coach Neil Cudby
Paralympic Games
Appearances4
Medals Gold: 2004
Bronze: 1996, 2000
World Championships
Appearances7
Medals Silver: 1998, 2006
Bronze: 1995
IWRF Asia-Oceania Championship
Appearances10
Medals Gold: 2005
Silver: 2001, 2003, 2009
Bronze: 2007, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019
Uniforms
Light
Dark

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]

PlayerClassification
Gavin Rolton0.5
Cody Everson1
Gareth Lynch1
Mike Todd2
Rob Hewitt2
Tainafi Lefono2
Maia Marshall-Amai2.5
Cameron Leslie3
Hayden Barton-Coates3
Tyler Jennings3
The 2013 Tri-Nations team

References
  1. "Paralympians aim for Medals in Beijing", NZ Live, July 16, 2008
  2. Interview with Grant Sharman by Brent Ward, rugbyfoundation.com, October 24, 2007
  3. "New Zealand to send a 30-strong team to Beijing Paralympic Games", Xinhua, May 7, 2008
  4. "USA crowned Tri-Nations champions".
  5. "Tri-Nations 2013 Team". Wheel Blacks.
  6. "Wheel Blacks get bronze and qualify for 2020 Paralympics". Stuff.co.nz. 9 September 2019. Retrieved 22 September 2019.
  7. "Wheelchair rugby teams go for podium at Asia-Oceania Championship". paralympic.org. International Paralympic Committee. 4 September 2019. Retrieved 22 September 2019.


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