Leeds Rhinos’ Tristan Norfolk was among the try scorers when holders England routed USA 134-0 in the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup today (Tuesday).

Norfolk, celebrating his 32nd birthday, opened the scoring after 39 seconds in Wollongong, New South Wales and went on to cross three times in the first half, including a close-range effort which demolished one set of goal posts. England led 58-0 at half-time and finished with 23 tries, despite resting prolific duo Nathan Collins - of Leeds - and Halifax’s Rob Hawkins.

It was England’s second victory in as many matches at the tournament. They face Ireland on Friday in a game which will decide who finishes top of the group.

Coach Tom Coyd was happy with his side’s response after what he felt was a below-par performance in the opening 98-18 win against Wales. He said: “We weren’t at all focused on the number of points we scored and not necessarily on the amount the opposition scored either. We wanted to play in our style and we definitely saw that.

Leeds Rhinos' Tristan Norfolk scores for England in their big win against USA at the Rugby League Wheelchair World Cup. Picture by David Neilson/SWpix.com.

placeholder image — Leeds Rhinos' Tristan Norfolk scores for England in their big win against USA at the Rugby League Wheelchair World Cup. Picture by David Neilson/SWpix.com.

“I’m not saying we cracked it and can go on and do that in the next three games. We have got to keep earning it, but I am much happier than I was on Friday.”

Having changed his side for the second match, Coyd has some selection headaches ahead of the showdown with Ireland. “I was thinking that towards the end of the game,” he admitted.

“That’s where you want to be as a coach. Of the group who started, none of those guys have got a World Cup winner’s medal and you can see how hungry they are for it. The competition in the squad is super-high and as a coaching staff we have got to maintain that while keeping the group connected.

“That is going to be the key for the rest of the tournament. That group that started the game, a lot of those guys came into the sport having watched the World Cup final in 2022. The talent pool is doing its thing and the pressure is driving the performance upwards.”

England's Tristan Norfolk is helped back up by teammate Finlay O'Neill (number one) following his third try against USA, which felled one set of goal posts. Picture by David Neilson/SWpix.com.

Of the upcoming meeting with Ireland, Coyd added: “We need to get ready to play our best game of the tournament so far, against a team who probably fancy themselves against us.”

All eight England players got on the scoreboard including Sheffield Eagles’ former Castleford Tigers player Lois Domingos with four tries on his debut. Mason Billington and Chris Haynes also touched down four times, Jack Brown added a hat-trick, Joe Coyd and man of the match Finlay O’Neill both got two and Lewis King completed the haul. O’Neill kicked 15 conversions from 16 attempts and Coyd added six out of seven.

Leeds captain Jodie Boyd-Ward is on the verge of history after Wales’ 68-28 defeat by Ireland today. It was her 49th international cap and if selected against USA on Friday she will become the first wheelchair player to reach a half-century. She has played 20 times for Wales, 22 with England and made seven appearances for Ireland.

Rhinos coach James Simpson-Hill, who has come out of playing retirement for the tournament, scored Scotland’s opening try in their 104-24 loss to hosts Australia.