The Australian Steelers capped off their Test Match in style on Thursday 25 September with a nail-biting 56 to 51 victory over Great Britain at Sunshine Coast Grammar School.
Fans packed into the venue to witness world-class wheelchair rugby as the two powerhouses went head-to-head in the free event. From the opening whistle, the match had fans on the edge of their seats.
Both teams traded fast-paced attacks and ferocious defensive stops, leading the crowd to constant roars with every turnover and try, creating an electric atmosphere that carried the Steelers through the final minutes.
Australian Steelers head coach Brad Dubberley reflected on the significance of having Great Britain on home soil:
“It’s been an awesome week up here in the Sunny Coast. Playing games against a team like GB is huge for our preparation,” Dubberley said.
“It’s been awesome having a crowd too, just being able to have friends and family and the Sunny Coast people come out and support our team as we head forward.”
Steelers Captain Chris Bond agreed, saying that the experience has been incredible.
“We played really well actually; we exceeded my expectations,” he said.
“Great Britain, we played them about a year ago in our Bronze Medal Paralympics match. They’re right up there as one of the best nations in the world.
“We kind of surprised ourselves in how well we’ve been playing and limiting our turnovers, playing very clean. We can’t get this kind of experience anywhere else.
“We got that final win today in front of the home crowd. It’s awesome, I’m always travelling away from my hometown here to play, and it’s about time they came to us. Why wouldn’t you want to be here in September? It’s beautiful, Springtime, sunshine, good courts and the locals came out in droves today to watch us.”
Great Britain, rebuilding after the 2024 Paris Paralympics, showed grit and determination throughout, pushing the Steelers to their limits.
Athlete Gavin Walker said, “There couldn’t be a better place to play all these games against Australia. We’ve got some new faces in the team and opportunities like this are great. Of course, we’re always competitive and want to win, but it was really important for us to implement some of the things we’ve been working on… I think we’ve achieved that as a team and we’re quite happy with it.”
The match was a masterclass in composure. With the scores tight and every possession crucial, the Steelers executed precise passes, tough defence, and smart lineup selections to maintain their narrow lead. When the final buzzer sounded, the crowd erupted in celebration, witnessing wheelchair rugby at its finest.
The special Sunshine Coast Test Match provided not only an exciting spectacle for fans but also critical preparation for the Asia Oceania Championships in November and the 2026 World Championships for the Australian national team.
