Opening day sets the tone at the 2026 LCA NRL Wheelchair Championship
The opening day of the 2026 LCA NRL Wheelchair Championship delivered an exciting showcase of speed, skill and physicality as seven representative teams took to the pitch at Coomera Indoor Sports Centre on the Gold Coast.
NSW and North Queensland emerged as the early pace-setters, each finishing the opening day unbeaten after recording two convincing victories.
The opening match saw international guests New Zealand take on a powerful New South Wales outfit. NSW captain Brad Grove etched his name into Championship history by scoring the opening try of the tournament, setting the tone for a commanding 38-6 victory. The Blues controlled the contest from the outset, with their experience and clinical execution proving too strong for the Kiwis. NSW later backing it up with a 34-4 victory over the ACT to finish Friday with a perfect record.
North Queensland matched that feat, defeating New Zealand 40-12 before producing one of the performances of the day with a dominant 62-12 victory over South East and Central Queensland.
Elsewhere, the ACT made an impressive start, with one of the standout performances of the day against Victoria. ACT raced to a 32-0 halftime lead through disciplined defence and sharp attacking combinations. Toby Popple’s pinpoint passing created opportunities throughout the contest, including a perfectly timed assist for Brad Burns before the break. Jai Coomber was simply unstoppable, crossing for four tries, with three coming from the identical left corner in a remarkable display of finishing ability as ACT completed a comprehensive 48-0 victory.
South East and Central Queensland also opened with victory before one of the closest contests of the day saw Affiliated States edge Victoria 14-12.
With seven matches completed, the opening day delivered outstanding skill, fierce rivalries and plenty of highlights, setting the stage for an exciting second day as teams continue their push towards Championship glory.
With the opening day’s results setting the scene, attention now turns to Saturday’s matches as teams continue their quest for a place in Sunday’s Championship decider and the opportunity to lift the Joseph Chidiac Cup.
Day 1 results
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NSW 38 def. New Zealand 6
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ACT 48 def. Victoria 0
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South East and Central Queensland 54 def. Affiliated States 12
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North Queensland 40 def. New Zealand 12
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NSW 34 def. ACT 4
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Affiliated States 14 def. Victoria 12
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North Queensland 62 def. South East and Central Queensland 12
Can’t make it to the Gold Coast?
You can catch every moment of the action live via the official Championship livestream, with commentary from Sully Sullivan.
Watch Day 1 Replays here: https://www.nrl.com/watch/news/2026-nrl-wheelchair-championship–july-10-1959764/
Wherever you are, you won’t miss a second of the toughest game on wheels.
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