Photo Credit Wheelchair Rugby Australia and Joep Buijs Photography
Adelaide is gearing up for four days of high-intensity action, with the Australian Steelers squad confirmed ahead of the 2026 Santos Wheelchair Rugby World Challenge next month.
The 12-player team will take to the court at the State Basketball Centre in Wayville from 23 to 26 April, as the six-nation tournament returns to the city. Australia will go head-to-head with powerhouse teams from Great Britain, the United States, Germany, Brazil and Denmark in what is shaping up to be a fiercely contested international event.
Known for its fast pace and full-contact collisions, wheelchair rugby blends speed, strategy and physicality across four quarters, delivering a spectacle that consistently draws crowds.
Wheelchair Rugby Australia CEO Chris Nay said, “Today’s team announcement showcases a strong athlete group that will represent Australia at home in the World Challenge,” Nay said.
“We are proud to have confirmed some of the best teams in the world for this year’s competition and having a strong home team representing the nation is something we are very much looking forward to.
“The 2026 Santos Wheelchair Rugby World Challenge is about more than competition. It’s a chance to showcase wheelchair rugby to new audiences whilst putting the Steelers in front of big crowds in an atmosphere that rivals any major sporting event in the country.
“We know that Adelaide loves their sport, and the World Challenge will deliver a fast, physical and exciting opportunity to see wheelchair rugby and the Steelers on a global stage.”
Leading the side is captain Chris Bond, joined by a mix of experienced athletes and emerging talent from across the country. The squad includes Ryley Batt, Andrew Holloway, Cooper Blackwood, Robyn Lambird, Shae Graham, Andrew Edmondson, Lilliana Prucha, Beau Vernon, vice-captain James McQuillan, Emilie Miller and Michael Ozanne.
Bond said competing on home soil adds an extra layer of motivation for the team.
“Playing for Australia is always special and doing it at home in front of Australian fans makes it even more meaningful,” Bond said.
“We know the quality of the teams coming to Adelaide will be extremely high, and that’s exactly the challenge we want. We are focused, motivated and excited to get out there and represent the Steelers.
“We have almost our full team back this year as we prepare for the upcoming World Championships so expect a stronger, more competitive Australian team to support in the World Challenge.
“Wheelchair rugby is one of the most intense sports you’ll ever see. It’s fast, physical and incredibly strategic, and when the crowd gets behind us, the energy in the stadium is electric and it lifts the whole team. There’s nothing else like it.”
Vice-captain James McQuillan said the squad is ready to deliver on the international stage.
“The depth in this group is outstanding, and everyone selected has earned their place and is ready to deliver on home soil,” McQuillan said.
“Events like the World Challenge are where the best teams in the world push each other to the limit. We know the level of competition will be extremely high, and that’s exactly what we are looking for as we prepare to defend our World Championship title later in the year.
“We can’t wait to play in front of a home crowd and show exactly why wheelchair rugby is one of the most exciting sports you can experience live.”
Alongside the international matches, the event will also host the Australian National Championship and a junior division, creating a broader festival of wheelchair rugby in Adelaide.
Fans can catch the action in person at Wayville or watch live across Australia on Foxtel and Kayo Sports, with tickets now on sale for single sessions through to full event passes.
2026 Santos Wheelchair Rugby World Challenge
Where: State Basketball Centre, 142 Rose Terrace, Wayville
When: 23 to 26 April 2026
For more info and tickets, click here.
