Wheelaroos Captain McKenna Puts England and France on Notice Before World Cup Bow

Australia's Wheelaroos are not coming to the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup to make up the numbers. Captain Bayley McKenna has issued a warning to heavyweights England and France ahead of the tournament, declaring that his side are ready to take over on home soil. McKenna, a 2025 Golden Boot finalist, will captain Australia for the first time when the Wheelaroos open their campaign against New Zealand on Saturday. France face Scotland in the other Pool B match, while the wheelchair fixtures on Friday will be followed by a men's and women's double-header at WIN Stadium, where England's men meet Papua New Guinea in a must-win clash and England's women face Samoa in a semi-final play-off. For McKenna, a Townsville product, leading his country out is a proud moment years in the making. He has urged fans new to the sport to expect plenty of physicality, warning of big hits, broken equipment and even broken bones. England arrive as defending champions, but McKenna's message was simple: Australia are coming, and they are keen to announce themselves in front of a home crowd.