The Australian Steelers have earnt themselves yet another trophy, defeating Japan 53-46 at the IWRF Asia Oceania Championships in Auckland, New Zealand.
After giving Japan an early lead, the Steelers fought back to level to the scores at quarter time. The Australians then quickly gained the advantage and refused to concede it to Japan until the final whistle, to take victory 53-46.
The Australian Steelers team, which included VIS scholarship holders Jayden Warn, Jason Lees, Matt Lewis, Andrew Harrison and Ben Fawcett, bounced back off a loss earlier in the competition to the Japanese side, suffering a 51-55 loss.
The win adds onto a successful winning streak for the Australia Steelers, who are the reigning Paralympic and World Championship team.
Australian Steelers head coach Brad Dubberley said that he was proud of the team’s performance.
“We’re obviously really happy to get the win, but it was the way the boys executed all of our plans which was the most pleasing thing for me,” Dubberley said.
“To give Japan an early lead and work our way back to win by seven goals just shows what this team is capable of when we turn it on. Everyone took on board the plan that we wanted to put in place and it showed,” he said.
The tournament doubled as a qualifier for the 2018 IWRF Wheelchair Rugby World Championships, with Australia and Japan both earning qualifying places.
The Australian Steelers will now turn their focus to their upcoming American tour in November.
Image: IWRF/Cherie Harris
