Wales thrash USA 92-18 to set up New Zealand clash

Wales have finished their group stage at the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup with a 92-18 win over the USA, their first victory of the tournament.

The result matters for more than the scoreline. Wales had lost their two previous matches, so this was a return to winning ways after a difficult start. Wheelchair rugby league is a version of the game played by athletes in wheelchairs, with the same aim of carrying the ball over the opponent's try line, the area at each end where a try is scored.

Wales made several changes for the match, resting a number of experienced players ahead of the play-offs. That gave others a chance on the pitch. Gareth Ramsey was named to make his Wales debut, and head coach Alan Caron had a squad that could look ahead as well as at this one.

Scoring for Wales were John Berriman, Jonathan Gill and Fionn McCabe, according to Total Rugby League. The win was Wales' final Pool A fixture. A pool is a group of teams that play each other once, and the results decide who moves on to the finals.

Wales now face New Zealand, known as the Kiwis, in the opening game of the finals series. Wales Rugby League's match report ran under the headline "Wales beat USA to set up Kiwi clash", and the pairing is a demanding one. New Zealand are among the strongest sides in the sport, so Wales will need to bring their best form into the knockout stage.

For Wales, the question going into that game is whether the momentum from a big win can carry over. Resting key players was a planned decision ahead of the play-offs, so the squad that takes the field against New Zealand will be the one that has had a few days to prepare for it.

The score was lopsided, but the group picture is still tight enough that every match carried weight. Wales have moved from two defeats to a heavy win, and they go into the finals with a clean slate.