Rugby League World Cup: Joe Joyd welcomes ‘wonderful’ response as England wheelchair stars take center stage | Rugby League news

Joe Joyd expected England’s first game of the Paralympic Rugby World Cup to resonate beyond the sport’s usual audience, but even he was surprised by just how big the 38-8 win against Australia was.

England reunited after their first win of the tournament over the Wheelaroos, watched by a record crowd of 3,033 for a wheelchair game at the Copper Box Arena in London, he opened his phone and saw social media lighting up. and a series of congratulatory messages.

Along with the thrill of getting a win over one of his old rivals, Joyd was happy to see so many newcomers to the sport realize what he and his teammates have long known is an all-around sport. , a brutal and yet highly skilled performance.

“It was remarkable,” said Joyd, who plays club rugby for London Roosters in the Wheelchair Super League. sky sports. “I thought there would be some noise, but not as much as before.

“I’ve heard people I haven’t spoken to in years tell me they ran into me on TV and were amazed by what they saw. I’m glad we put on a good show and people are starting to see what we players have known for a long time.

“We are happy to be a part of it. Any World Cup is special, but the way this World Cup is run with us men and women is what sets the tone, not just for rugby league, but for tournaments around the world.”

As the host nation began their campaign in style, Thursday’s opening night in London saw Spain make a name for themselves as they beat Ireland 55-32 in their other Group A game as they look to repeat their 2017 World Cup play-off performance. stage.

I’ve heard people I haven’t spoken to in years tell me that they ran into me on TV and were amazed by what they saw. I’m glad we put on a good show and people are starting to see what we players have known for a long time.

England wheelchair RL player Joe Joyd

On Friday, champions France also showed their mettle with a 154-6 win over Wales, followed by tournament debutants USA, who beat Scotland 62-41 in Group B in Sheffield.

Joyd is pleased to see some of rugby league’s lesser-known nations, such as the Americans and the Spanish, make their mark on the wheelchair tournament, especially in a year when other nations have done so in the men’s and women’s competitions. instantly.

“That’s the magic of the World Cup, isn’t it? Joyd said. “Look at the Jamaican men; My brother and I were watching them against New Zealand when Ben Jones-Bishop scored that try and it was like trying to win a World Cup final – they were excited.

“Brazil, we saw them against the women and even though England won, we saw them in the dressing room singing and dancing and all having fun. Spain played the last World Cup in a wheelchair and they’re a bit of an unknown and very good in wheelchair rugby, but the USA blew it in their first match.

Spain are England’s next opponents after defeating Ireland in their World Cup opener

“That’s the beauty of the World Cup and I think of rugby league in general. This has always been a sport where no matter what you do, who you are or what you look like, we want you in our sport. it is truly a sport for all, and this is highlighted by the organization of the World Cup this year.”

Joyd and his England teammates, who played against the Australians, were nursing a few bumps and bruises after a physical battle on Friday morning, although there was little time to rest when they face Spain in their second group game in London on Sunday. after 12:00).

A swimming session at the London Aquatic Centre, another former Olympic venue, helped prepare them and England coach Joyd’s older brother Tom identified areas for improvement on the pitch to reach their ultimate goals. dethroning champions France.

“We knew they were going to come out and fight and they did,” Joe said of the win over Australia. “We’ve got quite a few sore bodies and a few bruises in the squad – and we wanted that.

“We wanted to come into the tournament and be tested from the start and see where we were and they gave us that. We were very happy with our defense, but our offense has some work to do and we have a few games and some time to fix it.

“We are still very confident about what we can achieve in this tournament, we just need to find the right time and aim for the play-offs.

“Spain looked really threatening at times and really took it to Ireland. We have to be ready to build on what we achieved against Australia from the first minute.”