GB Wheelchair Rugby in Australia for Santos World Challenge Cup
Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby are in Australia competing at the 2026 Santos Wheelchair Rugby World Challenge, as the newly named GB Long Squad takes on one of the most competitive international tournaments on the calendar.
The tournament runs from Thursday 23 to Sunday 26 April at the State Basketball Centre, Wayville, and brings together elite wheelchair rugby nations including Australia, USA, Germany and Brazil. The event provides a high‑pressure competitive environment as Great Britain continue their journey towards the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games.
The Santos World Challenge marks the first major international test for GB’s historic 2026 Long Squad, announced in March following an extended period of assessment across national camps and domestic competition.
How to Watch in the UK
All Great Britain matches at the Santos Wheelchair Rugby World Challenge are broadcast live and on demand on the Fox Sports Australia YouTube channel.
UK viewers can watch every GB match for free, with no subscription required, via the following live stream links.
Watch Day 1
Great Britain 56 – 52 USA
Great Britain 55 – 60 Brazil
Watch Day 2
Watch Day 3
Watch Day 4 – Finals
The streams can be watched live or replayed on demand via web browsers, mobile devices, tablets, and most smart TVs, making it easy for fans in the UK to follow Great Britain’s full campaign.
GB Fixtures – UK Times (BST)
All matches on Court 1
| Date | Fixture | UK Time (BST) | Adelaide Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday 23 April | Great Britain vs USA | 1:35am | 10:05am |
| Thursday 23 April | Great Britain vs Brazil | 6:20am | 2:50pm |
| Friday 24 April | Great Britain vs Australia | 3:10am | 11:40am |
| Saturday 25 April | Great Britain vs Germany | 6:40am | 3:10pm |
Sunday 26 April – Finals Day (UK Times)
Great Britain’s involvement on Finals Day is dependent on results earlier in the tournament.
| Match | UK Time (BST) |
|---|---|
| World Challenge Bronze Match | 2:15am |
| World Challenge Gold Match | 6:00am |
Great Britain’s involvement on Finals Day is dependent on results earlier in the tournament.
GB Squad Representing Great Britain in Australia
The following athletes from the GB Long Squad currently representing Great Britain at the Santos World Challenge:
Stuart Robinson — 3.5 | West Coast WRC
Tyler Walker — 3.5 | Cheltenham Tigers WRC
Faye West — 3.5 | Leicester Tigers WRC
Ollie Mangion — 3.0 | London WRC
Hannah Bucys — 3.0 | West Coast WRC
Josh Williams — 2.5 | West Coast WRC
Kieran Flynn — 2.0 | West Coast WRC
Gavin Walker — 2.0 | Leicester Tigers WRC
Harri Jenkins — 1.5 | West Coast WRC
Muhammad Islam — 0.5 | West Coast WRC
Jonathan Coggan — 0.5 | London WRC
Jack Smith — 0.5 | North East Bulls WRC
Who Great Britain Will Face
During the group stages at the Santos World Challenge, Great Britain will face four international opponents, each offering a different physical and tactical challenge.
🇺🇸 United States of America
One of the most established wheelchair rugby nations, the USA are known for their physical presence, high tempo, and aggressive defensive pressure. GB’s opening fixture provides an immediate test against a team that regularly sets the standard at major championships.
🇧🇷 Brazil
Brazil bring speed, creativity and an attacking mindset. Their willingness to take risks and play with freedom challenges defensive organisation and demands strong game management.
🇦🇺 Australia
Competing on home soil, the Australian Steelers are disciplined, intelligent and relentless. Matches against Australia are consistently physical and fiercely contested, offering GB a key benchmark against one of the world’s strongest programmes.
🇩🇪 Germany
Germany combine structure, strength and tactical control. Known for forcing opponents into difficult decisions, this final group fixture provides critical learning opportunities heading into the knockout stages.
A Historic GB Long Squad
The 2026 GB Long Squad blends world‑class experience with emerging talent and, for the first time in GB Wheelchair Rugby history, includes three female athletes, reflecting the continued growth and strength of the performance pathway.
Speaking following the squad announcement, GB Head Coach Adam Scaturro said:
“This long squad reflects the identity we are building within GBWR. Our younger athletes bring a hunger and energy that elevates every training session, while our experienced players provide the composure and competitive edge that comes from years of dedication.
What stands out most is how deeply this group cares—about the sport, their teammates, and the direction of the programme. There is a strong and growing sense of collective pride, and it’s powerful.”
Australia now provides the first opportunity for the group to test combinations, sharpen systems, and build cohesion against some of the world’s best opposition.
Looking Ahead
The Santos World Challenge forms part of a crucial sequence of international competitions for Great Britain in 2026, providing high‑quality competition and valuable minutes on court as the programme builds towards LA 2028.
Following Australia, GB will also compete at the 2026 Canada Cup in June and the 2026 World Wheelchair Rugby World Championship in August.
Forward Together.
