UNITED STATES QUAD RUGBY ASSOCIATION

10/13/99 - New Zealand News from The Press

Wheel Blacks win first game

While the All Blacks pound the rugby turf in Britain, New Zealand's Wheel Blacks are tackling their own world championships in Christchurch.

The World Wheelchair Games opened yesterday and New Zealand trounced Australia C, 51-13, at Cowles Stadium.

The Wheel Blacks led 24-6 at half time and were able to use their bench extensively, but expect a tougher contest against Australia A today. The team finished second at the World Cup last year in Canada, losing by two goals to a strong United States team.

This year, the Wheel Blacks have the "calming influence" of Atapo Naera, a Rotorua woman in her first championships.

Naera, the only woman in the team, says she had to earn the respect of the other players "just like anyone else".

She began playing wheelchair rugby in 1997 after seeing some chairs on display at a seminar.

"I had a go and I was hooked," she said.

Playing the sport opened up doors and focused on ability rather than disability, she said.

"I'm not focusing on what I can't do, I'm always trying to do better and achieve."

Naera said she helped to settle the team down with her calming influence, and says she brings them a balance.

The team also includes Cantabrians, Tim Johnson, Andrew Chittock, and Geremy Tinker.

In other first round games played yesterday Sweden 50 beat Australia B 24, while United States A beat Japan 56-32.

10/16/99 - New Zealand News from The Press

Now, the Wheel Blacks turn it on
by Tony Smith

PHOTO: JOHN KIRK-ANDERSON
An all-out tackle by Wheel Black Geremy Tinker, right, during a match with the United States.




The All Blacks are not the only Kiwi rugby players closing in on a world title.

New Zealand's Wheel Blacks take to the Cowles Stadium court today in the semi-finals and finals of the World Wheelchair Games' most frenetic and physical event.

Buoyed by partisan home crowds, the Wheel Blacks have lost only once in six games, by three points yesterday against the sport's pioneers, the United States.

New Zealand captain Sholto Taylor describes wheelchair rugby as a "combination of many sports, including basketball, American football, ice hockey, and rugby.

"The teams are four-a-side, there's no off-sides. Bodily contact is banned, but you're allowed to block and screen to protect your ball carrier, anyway you can, just like American football and ice hockey."

Teams play eight-minute quarters, with a stop-clock operating, like basketball. There is also a sin bin for over-zealous play.

If they beat Australia today, the Wheel Blacks will play in the final later today against the winner of the United States-Sweden semi-final

10/16/99 - New Zealand News from The Press

Wheel Blacks confident

by Tony Smith

The Wheel Blacks are confident of toppling trans-Tasman rival Australia in today's World Wheelchair Games wheelchair rugby semi-final at Cowles Stadium.

New Zealand lost its unbeaten record when it was edged out, 41-38, by the United States yesterday. But the Wheel Blacks still qualified as second seed for today's semi-finals, with the Americans in the No.1 slot.

"If we'd only lost (to the US) by two points, we'd have been No.1 qualifier and would have got to play (fourth-ranked) Sweden," Wheel Blacks captain Sholto Taylor said. "But we went down by three, so we get to play Australia.

"We beat them earlier in the tournament and we're confident we can do it again."

New Zealand had two tough games yesterday, beating Sweden 27-23 before taking the court against the quick, aggressive American team.

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