
1 Nov 2022
Wheelchair officials confirmed for opening round
The wheelchair Rugby League World Cup starts with a double header on Thursday in London
The match officials for the start of the wheelchair Rugby League World Cup on Thursday have been confirmed.
Eight sides will fight it out for the right to be world champions, with the action starting with a mouth-watering double header at the Copper Box in London.
Laurent Abrial is the attack referee for the opener with Kim Abel monitoring defence and Matthew Ball and David Roig taking on the in goal duties.
Hosts England kickstart their competition in the night's second match against rivals Australia with Ollie Cruickshank the attack referee as Roig shifts to defence and Abel joins Steve Hewson on in goal.
The remaining four sides in the tournament get their campaigns started with another eye-catching double header in Sheffield on Friday.
Up first at the English Institute of Sport are France and Wales with David Butler in place as attack referee, Ball on defence and Grant Jackson and Hewson in goal.
The second match pits Scotland against USA with Jackson shifting focus to attack with Hewson taking on defence duties and Cruickshank and Ball operating the in goal.
Thursday 3 November
Spain v Ireland, Copper Box Arena, London, 5pm
Attack referee: Laurent Abrial
Defence referee: Kim Abel
In goal: Matthew Ball
In goal: David Roig
Reserve referee: Ollie Cruickshank
England v Australia, Copper Box Arena, London, 7.30pm
Attack referee: Ollie Cruickshank
Defence referee: David Roig
In goal: Kim Abel
In goal: Steve Hewson
Reserve referee: Laurent Abrial
Friday 4 November
France v Wales, EIS Sheffield, 11am
Attack referee: David Butler
Defence referee: Matthew Ball
In goal: Laurent Abrial
In goal: Grant Jackson
Reserve referee: Steve Hewson
Scotland v USA, EIS Sheffield, 1.30pm
Attack referee: Grant Jackson
Defence referee: Steve Hewson
In goal: Ollie Cruickshank
In goal: Matthew Ball
Reserve referee: David Butler
The Rugby League World Cup promises to be the biggest, best and most inclusive event in the sport’s 127-year history with men’s, women’s and wheelchair teams competing in 61 games across 21 venues throughout England. Tickets are available via rlwc2021.com/tickets