England Wheelchair sealed a 50‑38 win over France in Wollongong, clinching yet another world crown – who could have imagined such a thriller?
Back‑to‑back champions now, England repeat their 2022 triumph on foreign soil.
With three titles from five finals, England have eclipsed France’s 2013 and 2017 victories.
England led 28‑22 at the break after a blistering start, highlighted by Joe Coyd’s hat‑trick and scores from Rob Hawkins and Jack Brown.
France answered with four tries – Jeremy Bourson, Leo Hivernat, Damien Dore and Florian Guttadoro – yet still trailed by six.
Dany Denuwelaere added a second‑half hat‑trick for France, but Coyd’s fourth, Hawkins’ second and two more from Brown secured England’s three‑peat.
Just five minutes in, Coyd broke through twice, first from close range then with a dazzling run, giving England a 10‑0 surge.
France struck back after a penalty, feeding Bourson to the corner; the conversion left them just four points behind.
A slick pass later, Hivernat sprinted wide to score at the 20‑minute mark, the missed conversion tying the game at 10‑10.
Momentum stayed French as another penalty – this time conceded by Coyd – set up Dore’s try, followed quickly by Guttadoro on the right; Hivernat’s conversion pushed France to 16‑10 with 15 minutes left in the half.
After dominating for over 20 minutes, France saw Coyd restore England’s hopes, completing his hat‑trick and, with Nathan Collins’ conversion, narrowing the gap to six.
Golden Boot winner Hawkins sparked a magic moment with four minutes remaining, and Brown’s soaring finish—arguably the tournament’s best try—topped the highlight reel, sending England into a 28‑22 halftime lead.
The second half opened explosively as Denuwelaere’s try was answered by Hawkins’ second, re‑establishing England’s edge.
A brutal tussle followed; Coyd’s fourth try came from sheer power, yet Denuwelaere answered with a forceful effort, leaving France four points behind with just over 15 minutes to play.
The contest turned into a cat‑and‑mouse duel, Brown slicing through on a brilliant line that baffled the French defence.
Sensing the clock, France abandoned their structure, gifting penalties; England capitalised as Brown completed his hat‑trick and Collins’ conversion stretched the lead to 50‑34 with ten minutes left.
France managed a late consolation via Denuwelaere, but England’s staunch defence held firm to secure the title once more. Can England keep this dominance into the next tournament?
Brown: It was like an out‑of‑body experience!
Jack Brown reflecting on England’s win and his third World Cup triumph…
I feel unbelievably proud.
It feels surreal; the display was incredible and playing with the lads was pure joy.
We pledged to work hard for each other, and that’s exactly what we did today.
With five minutes left I looked up and thought, ‘Wow, are we really that far ahead?’
Those final five minutes revealed the light at the tunnel’s end, letting us control the finish.
I hadn’t realized it until then!