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November 20, 2007 - 4:22PM
They call it murderball, but even the Australian head coach thinks the sport can more often resemble a demolition derby.
Wheelchair Rugby is a fast-paced and aggressive game that combines elements of rugby, basketball and ice hockey - and some might argue dodgem cars - and is played on a basketball court by quadriplegics in specially modified manual wheelchairs.
Competitors must have a disability that affects their arms and legs, and the majority of players have spinal cord injuries or other debilitating conditions like polio, cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy.
But there is no holding back in this competition, with players in Tuesday's opening match of the Oceania Wheelchair Rugby Championships between Australia and Japan often tipped over and floored by their opponents, and coaches on standby to lift them back into their seats.
"Yeah, it's definitely like dodgems, like a demolition derby," said Australian Steelers coach Brad Dubberley after his team beat Japan 47-44.
"It's the way we all like to play: fast and physical. There's quite a few injuries, but not too many concussions.
"Generally in the past when people have worn helmets they all get paid out, so they don't wear them very long."
Tuesday's game was no less aggressive than usual with Australia, ranked sixth in the world, defeating fifth-ranked Japan at Sydney's Olympic Park Sports Centre as it goes after the Beijing Paralympics berth on offer to the winner of the championships.
A massive physical presence on the court was 18-year-old Ryley Batt, who dominated play against Japan.
But Batt modestly puts his good game down to his classification which puts him among the most able-bodied players in the competition.
"That's just my classification - I'm a 3.5, and that's the highest classification you can get so I'm the ball carrier, hitter and defensive player," Batt said.
"But I think the whole team did well."
Australia will play all six nations in this week's competition - Oceania members Japan, China, Korea, South Africa and New Zealand who are ranked second in the world, as well as guest nation Canada, ranked third in the world.
The semi-finals are on Friday and the final on Saturday.
Batt thinks if the Steelers can beat either Canada or New Zealand during the week they stand a good chance of getting that far.
"I'm really hoping we can get into the final, but I know it's going to be a really hard thing to do," he said.
Dubberley will back his team against any other.
"We think we have a great shot against any team in the world, we believe that we can beat anybody, but one game at a time," the coach said.
© 2007 AAP
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