17 November 2011: Can you play rugby in a wheelchair? Yes, you certainly can with a round ball, similar in size to a volleyball, in an enthralling game originally called 'Murderball'. Perhaps our view of Wheelchair Rugby is coloured by Rugby Union or League – a contact sport. Wheelchair rugby is a contact sport but only with wheelchairs and not with bodies! A skilful, rough and at times fast sport played in the Paralympics since Sydney 2000.

Australia and Japan have just qualified for the London 2012 Paralympic Games wheelchair rugby competition. They came first and second respectively in the Asia /Oceania Championships in Icheon, South Korea. Australia won the final against Japan by 59 to 41. Australia will now have the opportunity to avenge their defeat to the USA in the 2008 Beijing Paralympics final. Japan squeezed past New Zealand in the Asia/Oceania Championships by 47 to 45 to take the second place and the second Paralympic slot available to the Asia/Oceania region.

The United States have been awesome having won the Wheelchair Rugby World Championships, held every four years, four times since 1995. However, Australia are working up a steam particularly with the talented Ryley Batt whose in great form with nine months to go before the London Paralympics.