UNITED STATES QUAD RUGBY ASSOCIATION

10/99

The World Wheelchair Games (WWG) were held outside of Stoke Mandeville for the first time in fifty years. Christchurch, New Zealand was the site for the transition, a serene city in the Southern Hemisphere. How fitting that this competition was held in the land of rugby during the tumultuous time of the Rugby World Cup. With the All Blacks in Wales out to recapture the Rugby World, the USA Wheelchair Rugby team was in New Zealand with a new team out to continue the tradition of winning championships.

The competition at the WWG consisted of the New Zealand Wheel Blacks, Sweden, Australia A, Australia B, Australia C and Japan. Australia's program continues to develop with more advanced coaching and player development to prime the team for their homeland invasion of Sydney in 2000. The Wheel Blacks were heavy favorites on their home soil, and showed no sign of weakness. The European champions Sweden hoped to demonstrate their improvement with the world's elite. Canada, a noticeable no show missed an opportunity to fine tune prior to the Paralympics in the Garden City.

USA Wheelchair Rugby has entered a new generation. This young squad of athletes did not have any previous World Championship, nor Paralympic experience. Could they live up to the expectations? Would they be able to compete with the world's elite? How would they deal with adversity?

On the first day of competition the USA handled a developing Japanese team, 56-32. This match allowed the Americans to acclimate to the gym and get some of their pre-tournament jitters out. Japan had made many improvements since the Americans last saw them in 1998. Coaching, equipment, and desire to compete with the best have all contributed to helping them advance in the sport.

Day-two brought on two new challenges for USA Rugby, the first of which came from the Aussies. The "B" side for Australia battled hard with the "Truck" and company, but quickly fell flat. The US used its size and depth to defeat Aussie "B", 46 to17. Next up was Sweden, the 1999 European Champions.

The Swedish team was well balanced, and it was the first time the US team would face some real adversity. Before the game several players were notified that their classification was bumped up. Lineups that never played together became the norm during this match against the Swedes. The US met the challenge, played off key, and ended up taking the game 45-32. Even in victory the team began to show some weakness.

The following day was to be the easiest of the tournament. A game against the composite Aussie "C" tram was outmatched from the opening tip. The score at the end of the first period was 21-0. The outspoken US coach wanted his team to play up to its potential in preparation for games to come, the final result, 52-10. "This match our guys had an opportunity to play and work with players they otherwise hadn't played with," stated coach Kevin Orr. This would prove worthwhile later in the tournament. The easy match left some complacency within the US squad.

Day four of competition was a turning point for Team USA. The young squad seemed to have lost the focused composure of the days prior. Aussie "A" was ready to capitalize on the Americans weakness. A brilliant game plan by Australia coach Terry Vinyard slowed the pace of the game, and ultimately took the US away from its strategy to wear down opponents. By slowing the pace, Vinyard allowed his players to rest and keep the score low so it would be within reach in the closing minutes. US players made uncharacteristic mistakes throughout the game. Aussie "A" won the match 26-25, establishing the first blemish on the Americans record.

With Australia "A" losing to New Zealand in round-robin play earlier in the tournament, the US knew they could still hold on to the top seed in the next days crossover. To do this however, Team USA would need to defeat New Zealand by at least 3 points later that afternoon. Beating the world's number two team on their home court would not be an easy undertaking. Getting over the earlier loss was another issue in itself.

The showcased game was a battle from the first whistle. The Kiwis played smart and confident. Sholto Taylor, Curtis Palmer, Geremy Tinker, and Grant Sharman were a strong unit, but the USA would not back down. The diversity of the US squad was used to upset the rhythm of the experienced New Zealand team. The size and power of the Americans gradually wore down the Wheel Blacks. By the end of the third quarter, USA had a four-goal lead. Several line-up changes in the fourth quarter left USA with the win, 41-38. The goal of finishing first in round robin play was achieved, and set up rematches of USA vs. Sweden, and Australia "A" vs. New Zealand in the semi-finals.

On the final day of play all classification issues were finally resolved for the US. Mike Wagner and Mark Zupan were both moved up in classification, 1.5 and 3.5 respectively. With the teams set the semi-finals were began. 

Sweden came in to prove that they could contend, and played the USA even for much of the game. A constant shuffle of the bench by both coaches was used to reserve the teams for the later battles. The US eventually would take control and go on to win, 44-36. On the other court, New Zealand took an explosive double-overtime victory 29-28 from Aussie "A" setting up their rematch with the USA.

In the Bronze Medal game, Australia "A" played Sweden. Both teams had tough losses earlier in the day, and knew that only one of them would take a medal home at the conclusion of this match. While the Aussies controlled the pace of the game, the Swedes tried everything they could to get the lead and momentum to switch in their favor. Despite their best efforts, Australia "A" went on to capture the Bronze, 31-28. Both teams gained invaluable experience that will no doubt lead to tougher battles in the future.

The Gold Medal game was played in front of a large audience of loud, and mostly pro kiwi fans. Not willing to be intimidated, Team USA entered the court to stare down their opponents as the Wheel Blacks preformed their traditional pre-game "Haka," a Maori war dance. Team USA knew that no previous US National teams had ever lost a Championship game in international play. This group of rookies was determined to uphold the fine tradition.

From the opening tip-off the Americans came out on fire to send an early message. Winning the jump and scoring the first point meant little. The loud partisan crowd yelled and screamed supporting their local favorites. Both teams traded goals point-for-point for the first two periods of play. In the third quarter, the US team could see the Kiwis start to fold. The lack of depth would prove costly to the home team. The USA bench would eventually wear down the Kiwis, forcing several fatigue related turnovers in the fourth quarter. The NZ team tried to provide a spark with crowd favorite Paul Leefe, but when he was put on the floor the New Zealand team deflated. The USA cruised on to a Golden Victory, 47-36. 

Special Thanks to the World Wheelchair Games Organizing Committee, the city of Christchurch, NZ, Phil Humphries (venue coordinator), and all of the officials, classifiers, and volunteers that made this event possible. Thanks also go to John Bishop, Nancy Lehrer, Jane Thomas, John Ershek, and Terry Gumbert for their great work behind the scenes of the USA Wheelchair Rugby Team. The new generation of US Wheelchair Rugby consisted of Rob Krows, Neil Gustafson, Mike Wagner, Eddie Alexander, Steve Kearley, Bob Lujano, Sam Gloor, Bryan Kirkland, Willard Brooks, Mike Gilliland, Mark Zupan, and Steve Pate. Click here for final scores and results

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