Table of Content
Finlay O’Neill thought his sporting career was over after a severe knee diagnosis at age 16, but after transitioning to wheelchair rugby league, the 21-year-old has earned a spot on the England squad defending their World Cup title in Australia.
Transitioning to the Wheelchair Game
Rugby league had always been central to O’Neill’s life until he dislocated his knee while playing as a teenager. After the knee repeatedly caused issues, extensive medical tests revealed he had shallow kneecaps and hypermobility, ending his running rugby hopes.
Encouraged by his family, he transferred his skills to wheelchair rugby league with the Halifax Panthers. Over three years, O’Neill experienced a meteoric rise, telling BBC Sport that discovering the sport has been a blessing.
While his rugby brain and passing skills translated well from the running game, mastering chair control presented a major hurdle. Unlike running, where movement is instinctive, wheelchair rugby league requires simultaneous chair maneuvering, catching, passing, and quick transitions to the next play.
World Cup Ambitions with England
O’Neill earned his first England call-up in August 2025 and played in the Ashes series in Australia. He was subsequently selected by coach Tom Coyd for the 10-player World Cup squad heading to Wollongong, alongside Halifax team-mates Jack Brown and Rob Hawkins.
England opens their tournament campaign against Wales on Friday, followed by matches against the USA and Ireland in their pool. O’Neill, who works at a local supermarket alongside his athletic career, is one of five England debutants eager to justify the faith shown by Coyd and Halifax coach Wayne Boardman.
Expressing confidence ahead of the tournament, O’Neill noted that the team is travelling to Australia with the sole intent of winning the trophy rather than simply defending it.
Understanding Wheelchair Rugby Disciplines
Wheelchair rugby league, developed in France, is fully inclusive, allowing disabled and non-disabled athletes to compete on the same team. Teams consist of five players who have six tackles to score, with tackles made by pulling a tag from the opponent’s shirt. Matches mirror many conventions of the running game, featuring an 80-minute duration and an oval ball.
In contrast, wheelchair rugby—also known as murderball and featured in the Paralympic Games—is reserved for athletes with specific physical and neurological impairments. Played with a round ball similar to a volleyball, it features four eight-minute quarters, full-contact collisions, and a strict classification and points system for players on the court.
